Many patients are interested in reducing the size of their breasts, but the scarring that may result can be a major concern. Liposuction, as an alternative to the standard type of breast reduction, is a surgical procedure that only requires very tiny incisions.
Both methods, either separately or in conjunction, may be very effective reducing techniques, but only a qualified plastic surgeon can tell you which is best suited for your particular needs.
In some ways, the liposuction method is easier as there are much smaller incisions to heal from. However, the liposuction technique is not able to reposition the breast or nipple as effectively as the standard technique. Your plastic surgeon should examine you and review the pros and cons of each procedure in detail.
No two women are the same. Even if you know someone with a similar age and body type, the procedure might be done using different methods–even when done by the same Northern NJ surgeon.
Important facts you should know when contemplating breast reduction surgery:
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Breast Liposuction?
In general, the advantages of liposuction breast surgery (for the right candidate) include:
- Liposuction is less invasive than other forms of breast surgery.
- Breast liposuction, like other methods, can reduce breast size and volume to make the patient more comfortable (more at ease with their body and/or with less back, neck or shoulder pain) after recovery from the procedure.
- The selective removal of breast fatty tissue through liposuction breast surgery makes for a simpler procedure.
- Less anesthesia is required.
- Minimal scarring should result from this less-invasive method of breast surgery.
- Recovery is quicker from liposuction breast surgery.
- The liposuction breast surgery procedure is typically less expensive.
The main disadvantages:
- Overall shape correction (lifting) cannot be done with breast liposuction procedures.
- The volume of reduction is unpredictable and limited only to the fatty tissue in the breast.
Planning Your Breast Surgery
The surgeon planning your breast surgery will first consider your profile or characteristics and what you would like to achieve. For any plastic surgery, including liposuction breast surgery, each patient has a unique patient profile made up of a combination of factors, including but not limited to:
- Age.
- Gender (men may seek surgery to correct male breast growth, called gynecomastia).
- Weight.
- Skin elasticity.
- Lifestyle habits (like smoking).
- Chronic disease or medical conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Surgeon’s experience as to what method creates the best outcome, given your specific situation or profile.
- Your goals for the outcome of your breast surgery.
Your Goals Dictate Whether Liposuction for Breast Surgery is Advisable
You will need to think about your goals for having this type of surgery both before and during your consult. Not every patient has the same goals when it comes to the final outcome. Some patients may feel that the final size is most important or it may be the scars or the position.
There are certain things a breast surgery cannot achieve, depending upon your starting point (the details of your patient profile). When you consult with an expert breast surgeon in NJ, they should be very interested in your goals.
When Liposuction Alone Works for Breast Surgery
The best candidate for breast surgery (done through liposuction alone) is usually one of these two patient profiles. Remember, however, that there are many other methods for breast surgery and no two patient profiles are exactly alike.
The only way to know what is right for you is to consult with your plastic surgeon and discuss the procedure.
- Patient A: A young woman living in Bergen County, healthy, normal weight, and relatively perky breasts who wants to reduce her breast size by about one or two cup sizes. She wants to be more proportional in her upper and lower body and/or wants to wear a smaller shirt or bra and/or wants to be rid of the pressure and weight of the breast tissue that might be affecting her posture, exercise, or causing shoulder pain.
- This woman should be a good candidate. She should be happy with her result from breast surgery with liposuction because 1) her new breast size/volume will be smaller and lighter 2) her scars will be small 3) she will heal quickly due to the very small incisions needed for this procedure and 4) she will not likely have any breast sagging due to the tissue removed during breast liposuction—because of good skin elasticity (due to her age) and the relatively small amount of tissue that must be removed.
- Patient B: A slightly older woman here in Northern NJ, approximately 35 or older, healthy, normal weight or larger. May have children. Her goals are a bit different—she wants to reduce her breast size and breast volume, ending up about 2 cup sizes (or more) smaller—and she is not as concerned about sagging as her first priority. To this patient, the relief of having the weight reduction and pressure off her shoulders is worth a bit of sagging (or a lot, depending on age and amount of reduction) as a trade-off for not having larger scars.
- At some point, the plastic surgeon might also suggest the alternative to Patient B: Standard breast reduction with incisions. This procedure will lift and reposition the breasts to eliminate the ptosis (sag). The information from the surgeon at the consult should always help you clarify your goals.
When Patient Goals Don’t Line Up With What Is Medically Advisable
In some isolated cases, your surgeon might feel your goals are not realistic. If you desire more than the procedure can provide, it would be unethical for a plastic surgeon to go forward. This could be for a number of different reasons but after a full evaluation, the surgeon will be able to advise you of the best plan.
Your Breast Surgery Procedure Must be Planned with You in Mind
A tip about interviewing and choosing your surgeon: When meeting with plastic surgeons about a future surgery, if you ever get the feeling that they’re just planning to do the same surgery they did yesterday on some other patient—walk away. How can you tell if this is the case?
If the prospective surgeon doesn’t ask you questions. If you’re not asked about: your goals for the procedure, your motivation (why you are considering it) and what you would like to accomplish for the outcome—it’s a sign of the cookie-cutter approach.
Your Bergen County surgeon should want to know your goals, should listen to your response and talk with you to be sure your wishes are understood in detail. If you feel he or she is not paying attention and is not interested in your needs and questions, think twice.
Will Liposuction Breast Surgery Work for You?
Liposuction breast surgery is appealing for a number of good reasons, for the right person. We will provide you with information specific to your situation and help you clarify your goals for breast surgery. If your breast size is causing a problem in your life, get some expert advice.
At Cohen/Winters, we truly enjoy helping patients find the right way to get the body they want—even if it doesn’t involve surgery at all. You can visit our Bergen County office at any time to discuss your surgery, your goals, and your expectations.
