Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction in Ottawa with Dr. Photis Loizides
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess fat and other tissue from the breasts to bring body proportions into better balance.
Dr. Photis Loizides offers breast reduction surgery in Ottawa to help women relieve pain and discomfort from overly large breasts and regain a sense of pride in their bodies. Dr. Loizides is a plastic surgeon fully accredited with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. With his extensive training and deep expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, he consistently helps patients achieve the changes they are seeking with natural-looking results.
To learn more about how breast reduction surgery might benefit you, contact our practice today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Loizides.
Why Choose Dr. Loizides for Breast Reduction?
Dr. Loizides is highly trained, board-certified, and committed to patient satisfaction through optimal care and premium, natural-looking plastic surgery results. Dr. Loizides and his team love to put patients at ease throughout the whole experience, from reaching out for a consultation to the last follow-up appointment. Dr. Loizides properly educates patients prior to embarking on a procedure and is easily reachable for all questions and concerns patients have. For these reasons and more, Dr. Loizides is considered an experienced and sought-after breast reduction surgeon in Ottawa.
Why Might I Consider Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery can bring physical, emotional, and quality-of-life benefits. These can include:
- Relief from the discomfort of chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin irritation and rashes, pressure and indentations of bra straps, headaches and migraines
- Ability to move and exercise more freely
- Improved health from increased physical activity
- Freedom to wear preferred clothing
- Improved breast symmetry
- Body proportions that are in better balance and harmony
- Greater self-confidence and body pride
The benefits of breast reduction surgery vary from patient to patient. In your consultation with Dr. Loizides, he will listen to your concerns and ask questions to understand your goals for the procedure. He will give his expert assessment of what the surgery might do for you and help you understand what the procedure involves, its costs and risks, and the results you can expect.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction can be performed at any age once the breasts are fully developed. You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if you have large breasts and are bothered by any of the following:
- Difficulty exercising due to the size of your breasts
- Significant breast asymmetry
- Self-consciousness due to breast size
- Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps
- Skin irritation underneath your breasts
Breast reduction surgery is not generally recommended if you:
- Smoke or unwilling to quit
- Have certain health conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems
- Are significantly overweight
- Currently breastfeeding or have recently ceased.
The highest standard of plastic surgery
Extensive training and surgical expertise allows Dr. Photis Loizides to consistently help patients achieve their desired, natural-looking plastic surgery results. He is a plastic surgeon fully accredited with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Loizides, please get in touch.
How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?
Breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Loizides uses a variety of breast reduction techniques to individualize treatment for each patient. As part of your consultation, Dr. Loizides will explain the surgical approach he proposes for your procedure.
Depending on the changes to be made, the incision may be made:
- In a circle around the areola and a line down to the center of the crease below the breast
- In a circle around the areola,a line down from the areola and along the curve of the crease below the breast
Excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin are removed, usually from the lower portion and sides of the breast. The nipple may be repositioned higher on the breast, and the areola may be reduced. Dr. Loizides typically takes two special steps to improve the cosmetic outcome. He reshapes and anchors the breast tissue to help with breast projection. He also uses an internal bra suture to support the lower part of the breast.
Depending on your breast shape and fat distribution, liposuction can be very helpful in improving the aesthetic outcome of your surgery. It is used to remove excess fat from the side of the chest and the armpit area, which are not addressed by a breast reduction alone. For these reasons, liposuction is commonly performed at the same time as a breast reduction.
Once the excess tissue has been removed, the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures underneath the skin. Your breasts are then covered with a dressing and your compression bra.
Most breast reductions are two- to three-hour procedures, the length depending on the corrections being made. After the surgery is complete and you are fully alert, you will be able to go home. In some cases, you will stay overnight for observation. You should arrange ahead of time to have a friend or family member drive you home when you are discharged and stay with you for the first day.
What to Expect in Recovery
Once at home, you do not have to change your bandages. Dr. Loizides will help you with the first dressing change at a follow-up appointment three to seven days after your surgery.
The recovery process varies from person to person, but most patients require two weeks off work, and many patients appreciate a third week off. Typically, low-impact exercise can be resumed after two weeks. All other activities can gradually be resumed after four to six weeks.
Delivering real results
Opting to have plastic surgery is an enormous decision. We understand.
We want to intimately understand your goals and align on expectations.
Schedule Your Ottawa Breast Surgery Consultation
Contact Dr. Loizides’ practice to schedule a consultation for breast reduction with Dr. Photis Loizides. He will take the time to understand your reasons for considering breast reduction and your goals for the procedure. Based on your anatomy and the wishes you describe, he will give you his expert surgical recommendation.
Patients across British Columbia have chosen Dr. Loizides as their cosmetic surgeon because of his beautiful, natural-looking plastic surgery results. Call us at (613) 505-0220 or reach us online today.
FAQ
Breast Reduction
Breast reductions are covered in Ontario if certain criteria are met including significant symptoms and large size.
This varies. Cup size is not a good predictor of symptoms and it varies depending on the size of a patient’s frame.
If you put on weight or go through hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause, it is possible that breast size may change.
The best age for breast reduction varies by patient. For some, breast development stops at the age of 18, after which, a breast reduction can help them reach optimal breast size. But for others, breast development may stop before or after that age. After a detailed consultation with Dr. Loizides, he can help you determine if breast reduction surgery is suitable for you.
You can typically lose multiple cup sizes with breast reduction surgery, but it depends upon various factors like the natural size of your breasts and your overall body proportions. After a detailed consultation, Dr. Loizides can design a personalized treatment plan for your breast reduction and explain how much breast volume you may lose with the surgery.
Due to the use of anesthesia during the surgery, breast reduction does not cause any pain during the procedure itself. This helps you undergo surgery without any discomfort. But once your anesthesia wears off, you will experience post-surgical soreness for a few days. You can manage it with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication as recommended by Dr. Loizides.
Common but temporary side effects of breast reduction include soreness, swelling, and bruising around the treatment area. But these side effects resolve on their own in a few days. To help you manage them with ease, Dr. Loizides will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to follow at home.
Patients that are very heavy (we use Body Mass Index – BMI as a guide) with a BMI greater than 35 are at high risk of having complications and unsatisfactory results. Ideally BMI should be below 32. Having a healthier weight will increase the chances of having a good recovery and will improve the cosmetic results.
Usually you can. However, there may be some reduced nipple sensitivity and breast milk production which can make breastfeeding more difficult after a breast reduction. If you are considering having children and breastfeeding after your surgery it’s a good idea to discuss this with your surgeon during your consultation.
Immediately after your breast reduction, you can leave the facility and recover at home. While you might feel side effects, such as soreness, swelling, and bruising, you can manage them with medications and post-surgical care instructions. Most patients can typically resume light activities in one to two weeks after surgery, but it might take four to six weeks for you to resume physically strenuous activities like heavy exercise.
Most patients typically need one to two weeks off work after breast reduction. But others also prefer resting at home for up to three weeks, especially if their job is physically demanding. After assessing your pace of recovery and job requirements during follow-up appointments, Dr. Loizides can suggest how quickly you can resume work.
Breast reduction surgery can often be combined with other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction, in a Mommy Makeover. A mommy makeover can address the aspects of your body that have been most impacted by pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. After understanding your aesthetic goals, Dr. Loizides can suggest which procedures would be most suitable for you.
You can prepare for breast reduction surgery by adopting healthy lifestyle practices, such as quitting smoking and drinking alcohol before your surgery. If you take any medications or have any underlying conditions, you may need to make changes to your medications to reduce the chance of complications during your surgery and recovery. To help you navigate these steps with ease, Dr. Loizides will provide you with detailed instructions to prepare for your breast reduction.
