Breast reduction procedures are some of the most common procedures performed by Dr. Chang. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Surgery, Breast Reduction Surgery has the highest patient satisfaction rate of any plastic surgical procedure. This should not surprise anyone who complains of large breasts. These patients understand that the procedure is not only a cosmetic procedure; rather breast reduction surgery is as much of a functional or medical procedure as it is a cosmetic one. In fact, breast reduction surgery is often covered by insurance!

How Can A Breast Reduction Surgery Help You?

• Reduction of shoulder and back pain
• Reduction in bra strap grooving
• Reduction in rashes and irritations beneath the breast
• You might fit clothes and bras easier
• You might find it easier to exercise functionally and psychologically
• You might find yourself less self-conscious
• You might experience less unwanted stares and unwanted attention
• Reduction in areola size
• Reduction in asymmetry when one breast is larger than the other
• Reduction in asymmetry when being treated for breast cancer
• A breast reduction also provides a breast lift

Dr. Phillip Chang is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with offices in Loudoun ( Ashburn and Leesburg ) and Fairfax ( Reston ) Virginia. Dr. Chang specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic enhancements including breast augmentation, face lift and eye lid lift surgeries, rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, and other Face and Body Procedures.

Is Breast Reduction Surgery right for me? Am I a good candidate?

There are many reasons why women might choose to have a breast augmentation procedure. The reasons, however, are unique to each individual. Some of the reasons are more intellectually based while some are more emotionally based. Whatever the reason, you can be sure that Dr. Chang will freely discuss them with you. A breast reduction will provide a reduction in shoulder and back pain, bra strap grooving, rashes/irritations beneath the breast, areola size and asymmetry between breasts. Many women discover it becomes easier to fit clothes and bras, easier to exercise functionally and psychologically, they find themselves less self-conscious and they experience less unwanted stares and attention. A breast reduction also provides a breast lift.

Are you a good candidate for a Breast Reduction?

Your consultation will begin with a review of relevant medical history. Patients need to be older than 18 years of age. Most women who desire smaller, more uplifted breasts are good candidates; it is only a question of which technique is most appropriate for you. All women over 40 require a preoperative mammogram, and all women over 45 require an EKG and standard blood work.

Do you need a breast lift (mastopexy)?

A Breast Reduction surgery always includes a breast lift ( mastopexy ) as part of the surgery. With pregnancy and breast feeding, the breasts engorge and then afterwards lose their volume and sag. The nipple-areola complex then enlarge and often, the mother is left with stretch marks. The result is breast sag, loss of upper breast volume and cleavage, and large areolas.

Choosing a Breast Reduction technique and size

There are basically three techniques used for a breast reduction procedure. These include:

• Circumareola Technique (Donut Technique)
• Vertical Technique (Lollipop Technique)
• T-Incision Technique (Anchor Technique)

I actually prefer to the slang terms in parenthesis and will in general use these terms in the following descriptions.

It is very important to find a plastic surgeon that performs all three routinely as you will often find some surgeons that perform a Anchor technque on everyone regardless of size. Small reductions require only a Donut technique, middle to large reductions require a Lollipop technique, whereas I usually reserve the Anchor technique for very large reductions. The difference between the three is the degree of skin removed and therefore the degree of scarring.

Circumareola Technique (Donut Technique)

The donut technique of breast reduction is a technique which removes breast tissue from an incision around the areola complex. Only a limited amount of skin and breast tissue can be removed through this technique so it is only appropriate for only small reductions and/or breast lifts. If too much skin is removed, the tension around the scar around the areola complex often widens and actually looks less appealing than creating longer scars.

Vertical Technique (Lollipop Technique)

The lollipop technique of breast reduction is a technique which removes breast tissue from an incision around the areola complex but then extends downward to appear like a lollipop. This technique is most appropriate for middle to large breast reduction and lifts. Because there is less tension around the areola complex, the scars are more invisible and satisfying. This technique also offers the most breast projection and cleavage.

T-Incision Technique (Anchor Technique)

The anchor technique of breast reduction is a technique which is reserved for larger breasts. It is the best technique for very large breasts but requires the most incisions. Because this technique is often used for the largest reductions, it is this technique that is used when insurance companies approve the procedure.

What size should you be reduced to?

While size is a very personal decision, most patients choose to go down to a C-cup.

Will Insurance Pay for a Breast Reduction Surgery?

Insurance will often pay for breast reduction surgery if you are at least a DD cup. Most insurance companies will cover the reduction procedure if more than 500 grams can be removed from each breast. Part of your consultation will review the insurance requirements which include the two points above. Your insurance company will generally require a letter stating that I can remove at least 500 grams of breast tissue from each breast as well as pictures documenting your size.

Why Choose Dr. Chang for Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Chang is a Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has trained at some of the premier centers of plastic surgery in the United States including a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship in Rochester, New York and a Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.

Dr. Chang is the owner and medical director of the Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center as well as Radiance Salon and Medispas with offices in Loudoun ( Leesburg and Ashburn ) as well as Fairfax ( Reston ) Virginia.

Dr. Chang is trained in the latest techniques of breast reduction surgery including the Circumareolar (donut) Technique, The Vertical ( lollipop ) Technique, and the Anchor Technique.

Patient references are available.

What is the Consultation Procedure Like?

Your consultation will begin with a personal consultation with Dr. Chang, where you will discuss:

• Why you feel you want/need a breast reduction
• Why I feel you would benefit from a breast reduction
• What technique of breast reduction would be most appropriate for you
• What size to reduce you to
• Where the surgery is performed
• What the recovery is like
• When you can return to work

Where is the surgery performed?

All procedures are performed at either Countryside Ambulatory Surgery Center, INOVA Loudoun Hospital, or INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital. All facilities are Accredited facilities and are overseen by Anesthesiologists (not just a nurse anesthetist). No procedures are performed in the office setting.

What is the recovery like?

• Patients will recover at home (or at the Lansdowne Resort for out of town patients)
• Some patients can elect to purchase an On-Q pain pump which will eliminate pain for the first 3-4 days. Believe it or not, breast reduction surgery is a relatively non painful procedure and most patients off of strong pain medicine in a day or two.
• Most patients return to work in 7-10 days
• Light exercise may resume in 2 weeks
• More strenuous exercise may resume in 3-4 weeks
• Breast swelling can be dramatic for up to 4 weeks and requires 6 to 12 months to completely resolve
• Final breast shape, settling, and size takes up to 6-12 months
• Bruising and swelling take 2-4 weeks to improve.

The first postoperative visit is a day or two after your procedure. During this visit, your initial dressings are removed and you may start wearing a sports bra. Under wire bras are discouraged for the first 4 weeks. Incisions are generally closed with absorbable sutures under the skin… there are no sutures to be removed. The scars normally take about a year to mature.

What Other Types of Breast Surgery Does Dr. Chang Perform?

• Breast Lift ( Mastopexy )
• Breast Lift with Breast Implant
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Reduction
• Nipple Reduction
• Breast Areola Reduction

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

The “Mommy Makeover” procedure has become a very important part of my practice. The majority of my patients are either new moms or women who have had children. Anyone who has experienced the joy of pregnancy could tell you that although their children are a blessing, what the process has done to their body is not. Most would tell you:

• Breasts have lost their volume and roundness
• Breasts are more droopy and often larger
• Areola is larger and nipples are more elongated
• Tummy is stretched and sticks out more
• You have fat in places you have never been fat before
• The face is more haggard ( see topics on nonsurgical rejuvenation )

These women benefit from a combination of procedures I call a Mommy Makeover. As you can see, most women have predictable changes after becoming a mommy. These women usually, therefore, benefit from a combination of procedures that include:

• Breast Augmentation with or without a breast lift ( Mastopexy ) or breast reduction
• Full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck
• Liposuction of the flanks and thighs
• Nonsurgical facial fillers and Botox

For more information visit the Mommy Makeover page (Loudoun Plastic Surgeon)

Dr. Phillip Chang is a board certified plastic surgeon with offices in Loudoun ( Leesburg ) and Fairfax ( Reston ) Virginia. Complimentary consultations are offered at Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center as well as Radiance Salon and Medispa. Dr. Chang sees patients from Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Areas including Winchester, Frederick, Leesburg, Ashburn, Chantilly, Sterling, Middleburg, Fairfax, Reston, and Vienna.

See other treatment links including:

• Botox in Loudoun and Fairfax
• IPL Photofacial in Loudoun and Fairfax
• ProFractional in Loudoun and Fairfax
• Radiesse in Loudoun and Fairfax
• Restylane in Loudoun and Fairfax
• Juvederm in Loudoun and Fairfax
• Micro-Laser Peel in Loudoun and Fairfax
• Sculptra in Loudoun and Fairfax
• Nose Job in Loudoun and Fairfax

Company Endorsements

Allergan.com, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Natrelle.com, Realself.com, Facebook.com, Radiesse.com, New Beauty Magazine, Mentor.com, Sciton, INOVA Loudoun Hospital, INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital, American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, University of Rochester, Loma Linda University University