Breast Reduction in Northern Virginia
By creating physical problems like chronic back or neck pain, disproportionately large breasts impact many aspects of a woman’s life, making high-impact exercise uncomfortable, attracting unwanted interest, and causing embarrassment.
Breast reduction surgery can significantly alleviate the physical and mental concerns for many women. While her association with McLean Plastic Surgery is new, Dr. Erica Anderson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in breast procedures, Dr. Anderson has helped many women transform their silhouettes through breast reduction surgery. As her practice has evolved, Dr. Anderson has created a welcoming setting where she can continue helping women grow into their best selves by offering unsurpassed results with outstanding patient care.
Are you interested in learning what breast reduction surgery can do for you? Contact us at (703) 893-1111 or complete our online form to schedule your breast reduction consultation today! We are in McLean, VA, and proudly serve patients from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
What Is Breast Reduction?
Reduction mammaplasty, or breast reduction, is a surgical procedure to reduce the size and weight of large breasts, provide lift, and improve the position and size of the nipples and areolas. During this procedure, Dr. Anderson removes excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue, allowing her to reshape the remaining tissues into more proportionately sized breasts. Reduction mammaplasty delivers natural-looking results with benefits like:
- Reduced neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Decreased volume and weight on the chest
- Increased energy and stamina for physical activities
- Less skin irritation and chafing beneath the breasts
- Relief from shoulder indentations
- Improved breast sagging and drooping
- Enhanced shape, size, and position of areolas
- Renewed self-image and increased self-confidence
- More youthful silhouette
- Additional clothing options
Who Can Benefit From Breast Reduction?
Excessively large breasts affect many women, regardless of age. Breast reduction can boost your quality of life by reducing your physical discomfort and relieving your emotional distress.
Reasons women pursue reduction mammaplasty may include:
- Chronic pain
- Skin chafing and rashes
- Shoulder indentations from bra straps
- Poor posture
- Difficulty breathing or sleeping
- Problems finding appropriately supportive bras
- A desire to be more active or athletic
Breast reduction has one of the highest patient satisfaction ratings of all cosmetic procedures.
Choosing Dr. Anderson as Your Virginia Breast Reduction Surgeon
Dr. Erica Anderson is an experienced female, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast and body surgeries. Over the last 20 years, she’s worked in academic and private settings, providing outstanding results and care for her many satisfied patients. By opening her office at McLean Plastic Surgery, Dr. Anderson wants to use her knowledge and experience in a more personalized, welcoming setting where she can offer unparalleled care.
Dr. Anderson enjoys getting to know her patients, listening to your concerns and desires to provide results you will love for years. With an exclusive surgical focus on body procedures, Dr. Anderson’s unique area of specialization makes her your choice as one of the best breast reduction surgeons in Northern Virginia.
Dr. Anderson is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. She and her spouse, a cardiac surgeon, have four children and a Vizsla. She enjoys staying active with CrossFit.
Your Breast Reduction Consultation With Dr. Anderson
As one of the few female plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia, Dr. Anderson offers multiple breast rejuvenation options to help you achieve your long-term aesthetic goals. In a small, intimate office setting, Dr. Anderson will ask questions to tailor your procedure to your anatomy and lifestyle. Dr. Anderson will discuss your medical history and current medications, perform a physical examination, and review your surgical options.
Meet McLean's Breast and Body Specialist
Explore your transformative cosmetic surgery options available from board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Erica Anderson. As a breast and body contouring specialist, Dr. Anderson combines extensive knowledge of anatomy with her unparalleled passion for patient care. Schedule your consultation with one of the best plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia today.
Preparing for Breast Reduction Surgery in Washington DC
You must be in good overall health before undergoing any surgery. Here’s general information to help you prepare for breast reduction.
- Avoid weight fluctuations by sticking to a consistent exercise regimen and well-rounded diet. Eat healthy, nutritious meals with plenty of protein for an optimal recovery.
- Remain well-hydrated before and after surgery.
- Ensure you’re medically fit for surgery by seeing your primary physician for a full examination and appropriate testing, such as a mammogram, bloodwork, or an EKG.
- Avoid medications, supplements, or vitamins that increase bleeding or bruising risks for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
- If you currently smoke, vape, or use nicotine products, you should quit. Smoking is detrimental to your recovery, so Dr. Anderson requires patients to stop smoking at least six weeks before and after surgery.
- Prepare for recovery. Take ample time off work, purchase necessary supplies, fill pain medication prescriptions, freeze meals for easy preparation, and create a clean, comfortable resting place.
- Ask a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure.
- Arrange for assistance with household management or child care.
Breast Reduction Procedure Overview
On the day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at a fully accredited surgery center approximately an hour before your scheduled surgery. You will meet Dr. Anderson and your anesthesia provider to review your personalized surgical plan and ask any final questions you have. You will be marked for the surgical plan in the pre op area.
After you are resting comfortably under anesthesia, Dr. Anderson will create the incisions appropriate for your anatomy. Then, she will remove glandular and fatty tissues and excess skin. If necessary, she will resize and reshape your areolas and reposition them to a more pleasing location. Then, she will meticulously close the incisions to mitigate scarring.
Depending on your procedural plan, breast reduction surgery may last for three to four hours.
Am I an Ideal Candidate for Breast Reduction?
Women want smaller breasts for many reasons, including physical and mental discomfort. You can consider getting reduction mammaplasty at any age once your breasts mature and finish developing.
If you are interested in breast reduction, you should:
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Be at a stable body weight with a body mass index less than 30
- Have breasts that are disproportionate to overall body habitus
- Be a non-smoker or be willing to quit at least six weeks before and after surgery
- Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have no medical conditions that impair healing
- Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations
- Understand the risks and benefits
McLean, VA Breast Reduction Recovery
Breast reduction procedures are outpatient. You can go home the same day with a responsible adult to drive you. Dr. Anderson and her team will fit you with a soft, underwire-free surgical bra to minimize swelling and support your new contours. You will need to wear this garment as directed for several weeks.
Expect to experience swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness that gradually subside over the next several weeks to months. Dr. Anderson will prescribe pain medications to minimize your discomfort. Most patients need one to two weeks off work for initial recovery. You may also need help with your daily routine, especially if you care for young children, pets, or others.
Dr. Anderson recommends getting plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous activities, such as exercise or heavy lifting, for a few weeks. You can resume light exercise, like walking, within a week, gradually building up to more intense workouts.
How Soon Will I See My Breast Reduction Results?
Breast reduction patients will experience a uniquely personal recovery, but many women notice dramatic enhancements to their overall silhouette. The swelling and bruising typically take several weeks to resolve, with full healing taking six months to a year.
Breast reduction permanently removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. However, weight gain may cause additional fat accumulation in your breasts, impacting your results. Maintain your healthy diet and exercise routine to experience long-lasting results from your breast reduction surgery.
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How Much Does Northern Virginia Breast Reduction Cost?
Due to this surgery’s customizable nature, costs vary by patient, depending on anatomical needs and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Anderson will determine the scope of your procedure and estimate your breast reduction cost.
If you have breast reduction for health reasons, like alleviating chronic pain, your insurance may help cover this procedure. Dr. Anderson does not participate with insurance, so her fee will be required to be paid in advance, and your insurance may reimburse you some or all of the associated costs. Dr. Anderson’s staff is also happy to discuss financing options during your consultation.
Schedule Your Northern Virginia Breast Reduction Consultation Today
There are many reasons to choose breast reduction. To understand your options, partner with Dr. Anderson, an expert female breast surgeon. Learn more about breast reduction in Northern Virginia by calling (703) 893-1111 or completing our online form to schedule your consultation today!
Breast Reduction FAQs in Mclean, VA
It is common to have swelling after a breast reduction and it can take months for the swelling to resolve. I typically advise my patients to expect to wait about 3 months before they will know their true new size. And it may continue to change throughout the first year, particularly if weight loss is associated with the breast size change.
I use basically the same technique for a breast reduction as I use for a breast lift. But in the case of the reduction, breast tissue is removed as opposed to being reshaped as it is in a lift. The scar patterns are the same in both procedures and the nipple areolar complex is moved to a higher location in both.
There is no absolute recommended age for a breast reduction. I like for the breast to be as close to maturity as possible so I will ask adolescent women to wait until late teens and twenties. I also want their weight to be stable so I will sometimes recommend weight loss first.
A breast reduction typically takes 3-4hours in my hands. My goals are both for a reduction in volume but also an improved shape.
The skin envelope and breast tissue are removed from the lower pole of the breast then the remaining tissue is reshaped in a higher position on the chest wall.
The recovery after a breast reduction is typically a few days to a week. There is not a considerable amount of pain and I encourage gentle exercise a few days after surgery.
Nothing special is required to recover from a breast reduction. Wear comfortable clothes to the OR Facility, preferably a button or zip up shirt of jacket. It is a good idea to have your prescriptions filled and available at home so there’s no need to stop at the pharmacy.
There are multiple reasons a woman may have difficulty breast feeding a newborn. After a breast reduction, you will surely be able to have the experience but you may not produce an adequate amount of milk for the baby. If breast feeding is very important to you, I recommend waiting until your family is complete prior to proceeding with any breast surgery.
I typically use a short scar or “lollipop” scar pattern. They should be thin scars that fade over time. Some scars can widen or areola may be misshapen or asymmetric. These changes can easily be addressed with scar revisions after the procedure if they are bothersome to you.
Breasts can continue to change as one ages. After a reduction, if the breasts get larger, it is usually related to overall weight gain. If you maintain a healthy weight, the breast reduction should be permanent.
Breast insurance will sometimes cover a breast reduction though it has gotten more difficult in recent years. There are multiple steps that you have to take including evaluation by your PCP to document complaints, then referral to PT or a chiropractor to try non operative strategies. They may require a bra fitting to ensure you are wearing the correct bra for support. Photos need to be provided to try to get coverage. It is a multi-step process but sometimes can be covered. I do not take insurance in my practice so would refer you elsewhere should insurance use be important to you.
I think taking a week off of work is adequate time for recovery from a breast reduction. If you have a particularly active job, I may suggest longer.
Sensitivity to the breast and more specifically the nipple, can be altered after a breast reduction particularly in cases of larger reductions. It is rare though for the changes to be permanent and the sensation typically returns by 3-6 months if it has changed.
