The notion that bigger breasts are always the object of desire is simply not true. Many women with large breasts can be tired of the physical and emotional burden of having an ample bosom and might seek to reduce their breast size. If you are someone in search of a solution to large breasts, breast reduction specialist Christopher Hankins, MD, offers breast reduction surgery (or reduction mammaplasty) for patients with abnormally large breasts.
Our Houston area office is located in Pearland,TX, conveniently located to see Breast Reduction patients in Lake Jackson, Clearlake, Friendswood, Marvel and the surrounding areas of South Houston. Dr. Hankins has performed hundreds of breast reductions, obtained excellent results, and has many highly satisfied patients.
Breast Reduction is a procedure that may be covered by health insurance. We accept all major insurance carriers, and we will be happy to communicate with your insurance provider to check for coverage prior to your procedure.
Breast reduction surgery is a procedure to remove excess fat, excess skin, and excess breast tissue and attain a more natural breast size and shape for your frame. Having disproportionately large breasts is a condition known as hypermastia. In addition to neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and difficulty finding clothes that fit huge breasts can result in chronic skin irritation beneath the breasts. Many women with hypermastia are self-conscious about the size of their breasts.
Since overly large breasts make it difficult to be physically active, those requesting breast reduction tend to be heavier. After the breast reduction procedure, it is not uncommon for many of these patients to lose weight as physical activity becomes much more manageable.
A breast reduction will alleviate symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, back pain, and skin irritation under the breast. Dr. Hankins offers female breast reduction surgery as well as male breast reduction (gynecomastia surgery).
Of all the treatments offered by cosmetic surgeons, breast reduction surgery ranks exceptionally high in patient satisfaction. Some of the benefits of breast reduction in Houston at Premier Plastic Surgery include:
Almost immediate pain relief
Better posture
Easier to be more active
Better body proportions
It is easier to buy clothes, and they fit better
Improved sleep
Overall, better long-term health
If you’re a healthy adult concerned about the disproportionate size of your breasts, chances are that you’re a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. Most recipients of breast reduction surgery in Houston exhibited one or more of the following symptoms:
Breasts too large for your body size
Constant skin rashes or yeast infections underneath the breast
Feeling self-conscious regarding breast size
Grooves embedded in shoulders caused by the weight of the bra straps
Heavy breasts that droop
Neck, shoulder, or back pain caused by heavy breasts
No medical underlying conditions
Poor posture
Realistic expectations
The first step to getting a breast reduction in Houston is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hankins. During your appointment, Dr. Hankins will learn more about your intentions and goals with a breast reduction procedure. He will examine you physically and see the potential of the surgery, discussing various techniques, their pros and cons, and your potential path to recovery.
If you agree that this is indeed the best way forward, he will design a surgery plan for you that you can then take to a patient coordinator for pricing and scheduling the procedure.
Dr. Hankins performs breast reduction surgery at a hospital or an accredited surgical center under general anesthesia. The surgical procedure involves removing a variable amount of breast tissue and glandular tissue in a Wise pattern. The nipple remains attached to its original blood and nerve supply and is repositioned above the level of the inframammary fold. Dr. Hankins sutures the nipple to its new position, and the remainder of the skin edges of the breasts are lifted and shaped. In extensive breast reduction surgeries, drains are commonly utilized. The resultant small scar is in the shape of an inverted “T.” only the vertical scar usually remains visible after healing.
After your breast reduction surgery, Dr. Hankin will apply a dressing or bandage to the incision site. You will also be required to wear a surgical bra to minimize swelling and support the breast as you heal. You may also experience some mild discomfort. The breast reduction scars from the surgical procedure usually appear slightly red for several weeks and begin to fade with the maturation of the scar tissue.
The average breast reduction cost in the Pearland and Houston area typically starts at $9,500. Prices vary based on factors such as the amount of tissue to be removed, anesthesia costs, and surgeon fees.
PLEASE NOTE: The Breast Reduction is a procedure that may be covered by health insurance. We accept all major insurance carriers, and we will be happy to communicate with your insurance provider to check for coverage prior to your procedure.
We recommend scheduling a consultation with Houston breast reduction expert Dr. Christopher Hankins for a personalized cost estimate and detailed information about the procedure. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a tailored quote and address any questions you may have regarding breast reduction surgery.
The procedure itself lasts approximately 4 hours.
Dr Hankins, from the beginning he was very professional and knowledgeable on the matter at hand with a sense of humor which gave me peace of mind. Recently I had a breast reduction and went from a K cup to a C cup. Most importantly, after surgery care was commendable. Dr Hankins and his team follow up frequently, making sure my recovery was going smoothly. They gave me great comfort by explaining the healing process step by step and ensuring me that they were just a phone call away 24/7. I am exceptionally happy with the results. A great load has been lifted off my shoulders. Thank you, Dr Hankins.
Dr. Hankins and his assistant Jean made me feel so welcome and went over and beyond to help me get approved for my breast reduction surgery. My after surgery care has been exceptional and I’ve been able to contact them even after hours with any concerns I may have had. I’m so pleased with my results five days postop and look forward to working with Dr. Hankins and his staff in the future.
Dr. Christopher Hankins should be your choice for your Tummy Tuck in Pearland and the surrounding Houston area. Specifically, his success in maintaining nipple sensitivity during breast reduction is a skill that is not as common. Many surgeons in the past have subscribed to the dogma that nipples can only be raised a finite distance during the operation and, as a result, perform nipple grafts. Unfortunately, the grafted nipples have no sensation and may even lose pigmentation. To date, we have found no such limit in the distance the nipples can be raised. Ironically, many patients with substantial breast reductions have told us that their nipples become much more sensitive as a result of the procedure. This may occur as the tension on the sensory nerves to the nipple-areola complex is removed due to the reduction. Dr. Hankins plans to present the results of his work at an upcoming national meeting of his peers.
In addition to his practice in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Hankins is actively involved in the study and clinical application of anti-aging medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine and a member of the American Board of Pathology (ABP), American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine (AAAAM), and the Texas Medical Association (TMA).
We would suggest waiting at least a year after surgery and allow for complete healing and softening of the tissues to occur. This is known as the state of tissue equilibrium where collagen production in the process of scar formation is balanced by collagen remodeling.
In our practice, we have done a large number of breast reduction surgeries and overwhelmingly patients come in with nearly the identical complaints; neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, bra straps digging into the shoulders and persistent skin irritation beneath the breasts or intertrigo.
This is one the most transformative in life-changing surgeries that we do. Patients emerge on the other side of the surgery with increased self-confidence, self-esteem and ability to fully engage in all activities of daily living because there are no longer encumbered by the weight of large, heavy breasts.
Due to the general anesthesia, the surgery itself is pain-free. Most patients have some discomfort or soreness post-surgery, but the vast majority tolerate it quite well. Some have noticed the lack of neck pain in the recovery room immediately after surgery.
Most patients will need between four and six follow-up appointments. Dr. Hankins will have you return a week after surgery to monitor the recovery and remove the drains, if any. He will always let you know during your appointment if you need further appointments and when they will be.
Most patients feel ready to return to work within a two-week period following surgery and can return to full activities at the six- to eight-week mark.
On average, it will take three to four months for your breasts to have fully healed and settled into their natural resting position, which is when you will see the final, more shapely results.
The type of breast reduction scar you have varies based on the type of incision that your surgeon makes during breast reduction surgery. Either way, the wounds around your areola or on your skin will start red, fade to pink, and eventually to your skin color. We recommend detailed scar and skin care to minimize their visibility.
Only resume strenuous exercise after six to eight weeks. For the first six weeks, limit it to light walks and avoid anything that causes bouncing and strain on your incision sites.
Yes, indeed! Many of our patients who received a breast reduction in Houston will combine their surgery with other body contouring procedures, such as a Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, or Fat Transfer. If you are considering combining procedures, we suggest you bring this up with Dr. Hankins at your first meeting so that he can incorporate your plans into his surgical plan and advise you best.
Even though breast reduction is a minor surgery, it is still a surgery, and there are potential risks associated with it. Here are a few:
If you feel like you are having any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office immediately.
We recommend that you do your research to find the best breast reduction plastic surgeon in Houston. Read surgeon reviews, schedule consultations to learn how you feel about the surgeon and their practice, and take your time researching the procedure and its pros and cons.
If you are tired of oversized breasts and their associated burdens, we recommend you contact Premier Plastic Surgery today to schedule your free personal consultation with Dr. Hankins. If you live in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the neighboring communities of South Houston, Dr. Hankins can help you achieve a body you won’t want to cover up!
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