Breast Reduction Before & Afters
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Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery helps women relieve chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain while creating breasts that are lighter, more proportional, and more comfortable. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Grady Core performs personalized breast reduction surgery for patients throughout Birmingham, Mountain Brook, and surrounding Alabama communities, helping improve both physical comfort and confidence.
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At Core Plastic Surgery in Birmingham breast reduction surgery, also known as a reduction mammaplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to reduce the size of your breasts. This works by removing some of the fat, tissue, and skin of your breasts. Patients who undergo this procedure typically seek relief from physical pain caused by overly large breasts, rather than simple cosmetic improvement.
Not only does a breast reduction in Birmingham provide a more proportionate appearance, but it also offers the following benefits:
For some people, the weight of their breasts is something they feel all day. Bra straps can dig into the shoulders. Skin beneath the breasts may become irritated. Exercise, sleep, and even finding clothes that fit comfortably can take more thought than they should. Neck, shoulder, or back discomfort may also be part of the picture.
Breast reduction removes breast tissue and skin to make the breasts smaller and reshape them. Many patients seek it because they want less physical strain and a size that fits their frame and daily life. The amount of relief varies, especially when pain has more than one cause. During your consultation, Dr. Core can discuss your symptoms and what surgery is reasonably likely to change.
There are many factors that determine good candidacy for breast reduction surgery. Mentally stable women who wish to reduce their breast size to alleviate medical problems, such as back pain or insomnia, are good candidates. Stable men whose large breasts interfere with sports and routine activities are also good candidates. And both men and women who feel self-conscious about their breast size and are in good physical condition are also ideal.
A breast lift and a breast reduction can both raise and reshape the breasts, but they start with different goals. A breast lift primarily addresses sagging and nipple position. A breast reduction removes breast tissue to decrease size and weight. Lifting and reshaping are generally part of that operation. You may not need a separate lift if reduction is the right procedure for you.
If you like your breast volume but want a higher position, ask about a breast lift. If the weight or size is what bothers you, a reduction may be a better fit. Dr. Core will consider your anatomy, skin, symptoms, and goals before recommending a plan.
Yes. You should not take aspirin for two weeks prior to breast reduction surgery, as this may increase the risk of bleeding. Remember, many over-the-counter medicines contain aspirin so check the label carefully. Other medicines that may increase your risk of bleeding include Vitamin E and antihistamines. Many cold remedies contain antihistamines.
Recovery happens in stages. You can expect some swelling, soreness, and a need to limit activity while the incisions heal. Your instructions may differ from someone else’s depending on your operation, your health, and the kind of work you do. Use the timeline below to plan, then follow the guidance Dr. Core gives you for your own recovery.
Plan for rest and help with tasks that involve lifting or reaching. You will likely wear a surgical bra or supportive garment, and you may have dressings over the incisions. Short walks are usually encouraged, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting need to wait. Take prescribed medication only as directed.
Swelling and tenderness should gradually improve, though the breasts may still feel firm or look uneven as they settle. Many people with desk jobs return to work within one to two weeks. Physically demanding work may require more time. Ask before driving, returning to work, or lifting children and other heavy items.
Daily activity often becomes easier. Exercise and heavier lifting should resume only after your surgeon clears them. A comfortable walk is different from running, strength training, or an activity that pulls on the chest and incisions.
Healing continues after you feel ready for your usual routine. Residual swelling can take months to settle, and scars change gradually over time. Keep your follow-up visits so Dr. Core can assess healing and advise you on the next step in activity and scar care. Call the office if you develop increasing redness, fever, drainage, or pain that is getting worse rather than better.
Surgery is only performed when there is no other good alternative. If you have been recommended as a candidate for breast reduction, Dr. Core has determined that surgery is your best bet. Without surgery, your problem cannot be corrected successfully. The advantages and disadvantages of surgery will be discussed during your initial consultation. Make sure you are happy and confident with your decision before undergoing the scalpel. You should go into the operation with a clear and confident frame of mind.
Breast reduction leaves scars. Their placement depends on the amount of tissue and skin removed and the technique chosen for your anatomy. Many reductions leave a scar around the areola and a vertical line down to the breast crease. Some also require a line along the crease. Dr. Core can show you the likely incision pattern during your consultation, when he knows what your reduction needs to accomplish.
Scars are permanent, although they usually soften and fade as they mature. How visible they become varies from person to person. Good wound care, avoiding tension on healing incisions, and following your surgeon’s instructions can help you give them the best chance to heal well.
How Do I Prepare
for my Breast Reduction?
Like any other surgery, preparation for your breast reduction involves a consultation with Dr. Core to discuss your issues and determine breast size, shape and feel. Additionally, he may require you to undergo an overall health check-up with your primary care physician to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Core provides you with detailed instructions about your surgery so that you are fully prepared.
You will receive personalized recovery instructions to help reduce post-procedure bruising or scarring. For the first day or two after surgery, we recommend that you get more than enough rest. You can also reduce swelling by resting in a semi-upright position where your heart is higher than your chest—this helps reduce swelling along with applying ice for the first 24 hours. Sometimes, bruising can be alleviated by applying heat. However, be careful because the area around your incision may be numb so it's easy to burn yourself. There is no secret for reducing scars. Some patients believe that applying Vitamin E or Aloe Vera helps scars fade faster and more effectively. Be sure not to apply any cream until at least six weeks after surgery because your tissue is so fragile. Some surgeons like to use sheets of mineral oil or silicone to reduce heavy scarring. If you have tapes or stitches in place, do not use any cream or lotion unless instructed.
Breast reduction is a personal decision, and the details matter. You need to know how much volume can reasonably be removed, where the scars may sit, and how the change may affect the way your breasts look and feel. Dr. Grady Core is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons with extensive experience in aesthetic breast surgery.
At your consultation, bring the concerns that prompted you to consider surgery, whether that means shoulder grooves, difficulty exercising, or simply a breast size that no longer feels right for you. Dr. Core can assess your anatomy and talk through the likely tradeoffs, including size, shape, sensation, scars, and recovery. You can also review the practice’s breast reduction before-and-after gallery as you prepare your questions. Every patient’s starting point and result are different.
The cost of a breast reduction varies based on the size and shape of the breasts as well as the extent of the surgery. We can discuss the cost with you during your consultation along with our payment options. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards, and offer financing through CareCredit®. Grady Core, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers plastic and reconstructive surgery to people living in and around Birmingham, Mountain Brook and the surrounding communities to look and feel younger. Contact Dr. Core's office today to schedule your consultation!
In most breast reductions, the surgeon also raises and reshapes the breast as tissue and skin are removed. A separate lift is usually unnecessary, but the exact plan depends on breast shape, nipple position, and how much size change you want.
Some people can breastfeed after a reduction, but surgery can affect the ducts and nerves involved in milk production and release. It is difficult to predict how much milk you will make. If future breastfeeding matters to you, tell Dr. Core before surgery so you can discuss that uncertainty when planning your procedure.
Some health plans cover breast reduction when their medical-necessity requirements are met. Criteria, documentation, prior authorization, and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan. Contact your insurer to review your benefits and ask the practice what information it can provide for your claim. Do not assume coverage based on symptoms alone.
Nipple or breast sensation may change after surgery. It can improve as swelling resolves and nerves heal, but some changes may be long-lasting or permanent. The risk depends in part on your anatomy and surgical plan, so ask Dr. Core how it applies to your proposed reduction.
Risks include bleeding, infection, healing problems, asymmetry, scarring, and changes in breast or nipple sensation. Breastfeeding ability may also be affected. Your surgeon will review these and other risks in the context of your health and the technique being considered. No operation comes with a guaranteed result.
There is no reliable cup-size promise. Bra sizing varies between brands, and the amount that can be removed safely depends on your anatomy and goals. It helps to describe the fit and proportion you want, then discuss a realistic range with Dr. Core rather than planning around a single letter size.
It is generally best to wait until you have finished breastfeeding and your breast size has had time to stabilize. The right timing is individual, especially if you plan another pregnancy. Tell Dr. Core about your family plans so you can decide when surgery makes sense for you.
The tissue removed during surgery does not grow back, but the remaining breasts can change with weight gain, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, or aging. Maintaining a stable weight can help preserve your result, although it cannot prevent every future change.
Walking is often encouraged early in recovery. Running, weight training, and other strenuous exercise generally need to wait several weeks and should restart only when your surgeon clears you. The timing depends on how your incisions are healing and the demands of the activity.
There is no single weight that makes everyone a good candidate. Dr. Core will consider your overall health, weight stability, symptoms, anatomy, and goals. If you are actively losing a substantial amount of weight, it may be worth discussing whether to wait until your breast size is more stable.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and get you on your way to beautiful, natural-looking results. Contact us.
3595 Grandview Parkway, #150, Birmingham, AL 35243
