Breast Reduction Surgery

Before Breast Reduction: Best Steps to Prep

Breast Reduction Surgery

Woman measures breasts before breast reduction in Calgary, AB Breast reductions are rising, with a 7% increase in a single recent year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). They’re consistently ranked as one of the most satisfying plastic surgeries. It makes sense, as breast reduction can relieve a longtime burden for women struggling with large breasts.

If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, preparing properly is essential to ensure the best possible outcome.

With extensive expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, fellowship-trained Calgary, AB, plastic surgeon Dr. Ryan Frank, MD, emphasizes the importance of preparing for breast reduction properly. You can move through surgery and recovery feeling confident and comfortable when you’re well-prepared. Here are some of the key steps to prep for a breast reduction.

Avoid Certain Medications and Supplements

As you get ready for surgery, we focus on reducing your risk of complications. This may involve some temporary medication changes, such as stopping:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs like aspirin can cause excessive bleeding during and after surgery.

Supplements

Some supplements, such as vitamin E, ginseng, fish oil, and ginkgo biloba, may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Dr. Frank generally recommends temporarily discontinuing these supplements, starting a minimum of a couple of weeks before your breast reduction.

Quit Smoking and Vaping

If you’re a smoker (yes, that includes vaping), it’s important to stop at least three months before your breast reduction. In some cases, Dr. Frank may recommend quitting 6-12 months in advance.

Smoking can increase your risk of complications during surgery and anesthesia. Nicotine restricts blood flow, but good blood flow is crucial for proper wound healing and minimizing infection risk.

Quitting well in advance of your breast reduction is a favor to your future self because you’ll have a better recovery experience as a nonsmoker.

Presurgery Checklist

As your surgery date approaches, there are usually a few exams or tests you need to get ready. We provide detailed instructions so you can prepare properly in the days leading up to surgery.

Dr. Frank may recommend a physical exam and lab work to ensure you’re healthy enough for the procedure. Depending on your age or personal and family history, you could need breast imaging as well.

Dr. Frank discusses all your medications with you before surgery and gives you personalized recommendations about any necessary changes.

Book Your Breast Reduction Consultation in Calgary, AB

The proper prep can make all the difference in your recovery and results. If you’re considering breast reduction, we’re here to lead you through the entire process. Call 403-245-1228 or contact us online now.

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Clear Signs That You Could Benefit From Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction Surgery

breast reduction You and your body should be able to coexist in harmony in a way that is happy and healthy. Whether that’s having confidence in your body, fostering the correct mindset to be able to achieve the physical goals you’ve laid out for yourself, or something else entirely, it’s up to you to decide. However, there are a lot of factors that can negatively influence your ability to achieve that peace. One such problem is breast size, which is why countless women (and men as well) seek out breast reduction so they can live life the way they want.

If you’re someone who has struggled to find peace with the size of their breasts, these are a few clear signs that breast reduction may be to your benefit:

Difficulties With Exercise

Those with overly or disproportionately large breasts often find specific exercises challenging to endure or perform. From trouble running to keeping up with cardio to being unable to build muscle through weight lifting, many patients find that breast reduction can help them achieve their preferred exercise regimen and weight.

Uncomfortable Shoulder Grooves

As you can imagine, the weight of large breasts exerts a lot of downward pressure. For those who routinely wear bras, this weight can cause the bra to dig into the skin on your back and shoulders, creating uncomfortable and often painful shoulder grooves when worn for too long.

Chronic Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

Excessively large breasts can also directly cause pain to your body around the back, neck, and shoulders. The aforementioned weight and pressure can create an uneven weight distribution between the front and backside of your body—leading to chronic aches and pains in the areas tasked with carrying that extra weight.

By alleviating the weight of your breasts through breast reductions, the two above issues can be resolved.

Unhappiness With Size and Shape

Lastly, breast reduction can also be an excellent option for those who are dissatisfied with the shape and size of their breasts and would prefer that they were reduced for aesthetic reasons.

Simple and Effective Breast Reduction From Dr. Ryan Frank

If you believe that breast reduction would be of benefit to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Ryan C. Frank at 403-245-1228. With a conveniently located practice in Calgary, AB, Dr. Ryan proudly also serves the surrounding communities.

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Breast Reduction Surgery: Is it the Right Choice for You?

Breast Reduction Surgery

woman in silver bra against a white background Breast reduction surgery may be an effective option for women with breasts disproportionate to their body size. This procedure can help address discomfort and low self-esteem associated with overly large breasts. Here are four questions you might find useful when deciding if breast reduction is right for you:

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery may be the right choice for those looking to reduce their overly large breasts. This is especially true for women who feel self-conscious and suffer physical discomfort, such as back pain, due to their condition. You should be at a healthy weight with a BMI (body mass index) no greater then 30 and a non-smoker. During your initial consultation, Dr. Ryan Frank will evaluate your medical history to determine if breast reduction surgery is viable.

Are There Different Types of Breast Reduction Surgery?

Yes, there are different types of breast reduction surgery. Dr. Frank offers different types of breast reduction surgery that will vary depending on the size of your breasts. Traditional surgery works best for patients with larger breasts, while Vertical Incision Breast Reduction works for moderately sized chests. Whatever your case, Dr. Frank will decide which technique will best fit your needs.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Breast Reduction Surgery?

The healing period varies from patient to patient. Post-surgery, individuals may experience soreness and swelling at the location of their surgical procedure for a few days, along with some bruising. It is recommended that physical activity be kept to a minimum for approximately four weeks after the procedure to optimize the successful healing process.

Are There Any Complications Associated With Breast Reduction Surgery?

With any surgery, there is a potential for complications. Breast reduction surgery is no different. Some of the most common complications include scarring, infection, bleeding, and loss of sensation in the breasts. Discussing all risks with Dr. Frank during your consultation is essential to make an informed decision about proceeding with the procedure.

Contact Dr. Ryan Frank about Breast Reduction Surgery

Dr. Ryan Frank in Calgary can help you explore breast reduction surgery and other cosmetic procedures. If you wish to contact us, please call (403) 245-1228.

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Large Natural Breasts Can Be a Pain

Breast Reduction Surgery

Although liposuction passed breast augmentation as the most popular cosmetic surgery in Canada in 2019, breast augmentation surgery isn’t far behind. That’s why it’s hard for some people to understand why a woman would opt to have Dr. Frank surgically reduce the size of her breasts, usually by two or more cup sizes with breast reduction.

The reality is — overly large natural breasts can be a real pain. Not to be trite, but we mean that both literally and figuratively.

As we come to the end of the oddest year of all, let’s get into these reduction surgeries with Dr. Frank. Maybe 2021 is the right time to move forward with this procedure.

Who could benefit from breast reduction?

Having overly large breasts, a condition clinically known as hypermastia, can be a burden both physically and psychologically. While women tire of the undue attention their breasts can attract, there are also many physical problems caused by overly large breasts. When patients come to Dr. Frank for help, these are the common health issues that often accompany a woman’s decision to have reduction surgery:

  • Spine problems
  • Neck pain
  • Back pain
  • Tingling hands
  • Balance problems
  • Headaches and migraines

Those are the physical issues caused by the weight of large natural breasts. An unfortunate side issue is that large breasts can make a woman pull back from areas of her life socially. She’ll often avoid sports and most types of exercise because her breasts are a hindrance to participation. They can come into play as a distraction in social and professional environments. Who needs that?

Dr. Frank only performs cosmetic breast reduction. This is due to the potential for complications involved with reducing overly large natural breasts that are creating more serious health issues that require intervention.

What results can I expect from breast reduction surgery?

It’s ironic in a way, but our breast reduction patients are so thrilled with the outcomes of these procedure. They’ve typically been saddled with the burden of their overly large natural breasts their entire life from puberty on. Rather than the sagging, outsized breasts that were out of proportion with her figure, now the breasts are proportional and in line with the rest of the figure. Gone is the sagging skin and oversized nipple/areola complexes. After breast reduction, the patient’s breasts are higher on the chest, firm, and look great. Yes, there are incision scars, but these will fade with time. Plus, patients feel the scars are worth it just to be rid of their large, heavy, sagging breasts.

Have you resolved to finally reduce your overly large natural breasts for the New Year? Please give Dr. Frank a call at (403) 245-1228 to set up a consultation.

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Downsizing Your Breasts

Breast Reduction Surgery

These days, it seems everyone wants to have larger breasts. Canada doesn’t track cosmetic surgery numbers the same way the U.S. does, but you can assume the trends are similar. Breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgery in the U.S. in 2018. In 2018 313,735 U.S. women had breast augmentation. That was a 48 percent increase from 2000.

But not everyone is of that mindset. For some women, their breasts have become a true burden, causing back and neck pain, chafing, embarrassment, and a host of other problems. For these women, smaller breasts are the goal.

If this sounds like your situation, breast reduction surgery with Dr. Frank can deliver the changes you seek.

Who could use breast reduction surgery?

Very large natural breasts are anything but desired by many women who have them. The excess weight can cause back and neck pain and even nerve damage. Bra straps dig into the shoulders. Finding clothing can be difficult. Overly large breasts can become a hindrance when pursuing certain sports and exercise routines. And the attention they merit is unwanted. This undue attention can make some women with very large breasts shun social interaction.

Breast reduction surgery is known as reduction mammaplasty. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and tissue from the breasts. The end goal is to have breasts that are smaller, lighter, and proportional to the body.

The procedure

When Dr. Frank performs reduction surgery it is an involved procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. As with all of his cosmetic surgeries, every case is unique, but to remove the amount of sagging, stretched skin necessary, in most cases he uses the “anchor” incision. This incision circles the nipple-areolar complex, extends downward to the breast crease, and then moves outward along the crease in both directions. The nipple-areolar complex is moved upward to the desired position and excess tissue and fat are removed. The entire procedure usually takes from two to four hours.

Recovery

Patients usually return home the same day of the surgery. A surgical bra will need to be worn for 1 week to provide support and decrease swelling. This will transition to a support bra and then to a strong sports bra. Dr. Frank will stress the importance of wearing these bras 24 hours a day for at least one full month. This can seem excessive, but it eliminates placing weight and pressure on your incisions, which is important to minimize their future appearance. Swelling can persist for up to eight weeks, and a patient’s final results won’t be fully realized until six months after surgery.

If you’re ready to downsize the burden of overly large breasts, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation for breast reduction.

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Why Choose Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast AugmentationThere are plenty of reasons why individuals engage in breast augmentation surgery. Even though it is one of the more common forms of cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation surgery is still an important procedure and many factors must be considered before scheduling a consultation.

There are many medical and aesthetic reasons for seeking breast augmentation surgery. Some of the more common reasons are listed below.

Breast Augmentation and Weight Gain

Breasts shift as time progresses. Weight gain can have an impact on a breast’s size, shape and placement on the body. Breast implants can provide better balance and present a more visually aesthetic appearance, years after nature and time have taken their toll.

Breast Augmentation and Weight Loss

During childbearing years, breasts often lose volume and may appear droopy. While there are no proven exercises or diets that can restore a woman’s body to the way it looked pre-childbirth, breast augmentation has been proven to be a viable option in re-shaping breasts.

Athletes and Breast Augmentation

Having a large chest can lead to back problems in more active candidates. Marathon runners, for example, complain about back pain being an issue and will often opt for breast reduction surgery. Athletes may also opt to enhance breast size, and there are many options in choosing the correct implant size that will not interfere with athletic performance.

Cancer and Breast Augmentation

After suffering through the long, oftentimes arduous journey of breast cancer, many women opt for breast reconstruction surgery. A mastectomy may be required to remove one or both breasts, resulting in a massive shift in physical appearance. By restoring a woman’s figure and creating a new shape, a patient feels a sense of normalcy in the wake of such a traumatic experience.

Undergoing a breast augmentation procedure is a serious decision. Whether a potential patient has gained or lost weight, survived cancer or is seeking to reshape themselves with more athletic contours, it is important to weigh the options and understand the reasons behind making such a decision.

Are You Interested in Enhancing Your Breasts? Contact Dr. Ryan Frank in Calgary

If you would like more information on the breast procedures Dr. Frank offers, please give us a call at (403) 245-1228, or contact us.

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Is Breast Reduction Surgery Right for You?

Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast ReductionWhen most people hear about “breast surgery,” they immediately think of breast augmentation. However, not every woman wants to make their breasts larger. Each year, many women choose instead to undergo breast reduction surgery to reduce the size of breasts which they feel are too large for their body.

Is breast reduction surgery right for you? Take a look at these common questions about this procedure.

Top Four Questions about Breast Reduction Surgery:

  1. Am I a candidate for breast reduction surgery? The best candidates for this procedure are women who feel uncomfortable with the unwanted attention often associated with having overly large breasts. In addition to causing self-esteem problems, large breasts can also cause physical discomforts to patients, including back pain. Breast reduction surgery can significantly reduce these issues. During your initial consultation, Dr. Frank will evaluate your medical history and determine if breast reduction surgery is right for you.
  2. Are there different types of breast reduction surgery? Yes. Traditional breast reduction surgery is performed on women with very large breasts, while Vertical Incision Breast Reduction is used for women with moderately large breasts.  Occasionally, liposuction alone can be used as a means to reduce breast size. Dr. Frank will determine which technique will be best for you.
  3. How long will it take to recover from a breast reduction surgery? The exact recovery period will depend on the individual patient. Immediately following surgery, most patients experience soreness, swelling, and bruising, which will subside after several days. In most cases, physical activity should be limited for about two weeks after surgery.
  4. Are there any complications associated with breast reduction surgery? Complications are possible following any surgery. The most common complications associated with breast reduction surgery are scarring, infection, bleeding and a partial loss of sensation in the breasts. Fortunately, most complications can be treated without requiring further surgery.  These will all be discussed at your consultation with Dr. Frank.

Contact Dr. Ryan Frank about Breast Reduction Surgery

If you are interested in learning more about breast reduction surgery, or would like to learn more about any of the other cosmetic surgery procedures we offer, contact Dr. Ryan Frank today. Our offices are located in Calgary, Alberta, and we can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Breast Reduction Techniques: Which One Is Right For You?

Breast Reduction Surgery, Male Breast Reduction, Plastic Surgery

breast reductionBreast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a solution for women who are unhappy with their appearance, or who suffer from back pain or breathing problems due to overly enlarged breasts.

This procedure involves removing excess fat, skin and breast tissue to reshape smaller breasts that are more proportionate to the rest of the body. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes about two hours.

There are a number of breast reduction techniques used by plastic surgeons, each with its own set of pros and cons. Some surgeons specialize in several techniques, so that they can tailor the procedure to each individual patient’s needs and desired outcome. The breast reduction technique used in each surgery should be chosen with care, based on a number of factors. During the consultation process, Dr. Frank carefully examines each patient and offers his recommendation on the technique that will work best and is in alignment with the patient’s goals.

Here is a guide to the three breast reduction techniques most frequently performed by Dr. Frank:

Traditional Breast Reduction

The most widely used technique, this method involves the surgeon making an anchor-shaped incision to remove fat, skin and glandular tissue from the lower breast. The incision is then closed, lifting the skin, and the nipple and areola are repositioned. This technique is ideal for women with very large breasts. However, scarring is more apparent with this method.

Vertical Incision Breast Reduction

Also known as a “lollipop” or “short scar” reduction, this technique requires the surgeon to make incisions which extend around the areola and down to the breast crease, creating a scar that resembles a lollipop shape. The vertical incision technique is ideal for women with moderately large breasts, since it creates a shapelier breast profile and the scarring is minimal. However, this technique cannot be used for women who require extensive breast tissue to be removed.

Scarless Breast Reduction

This method of reduction uses the liposuction technique to remove fatty tissue from the breast area. This procedure leaves little to no scarring, however it only removes fat cells. Therefore, the patients who would best benefit from this technique are those who have a large amount of fatty tissue as opposed to glandular tissue. This technique is commonly used on men who suffer from enlarged breasts.

Breast Reduction in Calgary

If you are interested in undergoing breast reduction surgery, contact Dr. Frank today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Restore Your Body!

Abdominoplasty, Breast Reduction Surgery

body contouringThere’s no doubt that being a mother is one of the most important jobs a woman can have. However, becoming a mother can take a toll on a woman’s body, leaving you feeling self-conscious and wondering how you can achieve your pre-pregnancy body once more.

With all that mothers do for their families each day, it’s still important for a woman to look and feel confident. With Mother’s Day having just passed, there is no better time to explore procedures that will restore your body – along with your confidence.

Abdominoplasty (better known as a “tummy tuck”) is extremely in-demand among women looking to restore their body. This procedure is especially useful for women who have experienced stretched skin or muscles caused by pregnancy.  One important thing to keep in mind about an abdominoplasty is that any future pregnancy may disrupt the patient’s results, so you may want to hold off on a tummy tuck until after you’re done having children.

Mothers may also wish to consider liposuction, which restores the body following pregnancy by removing exercise-resistant areas of body fat. While most people still believe that liposuction is a weight-loss surgery, it actually will only help eliminate body fat, not significantly change your weight! However, patients can expect to look slimmer following this procedure.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding can also take a toll on the shape and appearance of your breasts. Breast augmentation can help give you fuller, more youthful-looking breasts through the use of implants. Breast implants are cohesive gel implants, placed firmly underneath breast tissue or the chest wall muscle to restore size and shape to breasts that have “deflated” following pregnancy. Following breast augmentation surgery, patients may have their bust size increased by at least one cup size. For more satisfying results, patients can opt to combine their breast augmentation surgery with a breast lift, to fully restore any lost volume and fullness to the breasts.

Plastic Surgery in Calgary

If you are interested in having any breast or body procedures, or want to learn more about any other procedures we offer, contact us today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

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The 5 Top Plastic Surgeries of Today

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction Surgery

plastic surgeryCosmetic Surgery is an extremely personal decision for any patient, and one which should be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon beforehand. Patients are always concerned about looking natural, and experiencing a comfortable procedure.

Cosmetic surgery is customizable and can be done to suit a patient’s specific needs and desires. The list below covers some of the most popular cosmetic procedures of today.

Top 5 Plastic Surgeries of Today:

  1. Breast lift. Over time, many women will experience loose, sagging breasts, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. A breast lift will give women “perkier” breasts! Breasts will look very natural, and feel firmer.
  2. Cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). Cosmetic eyelid surgery corrects the look of  puffy, tired-looking eyes, by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle from either the upper or lower eyelids. This can be done for cosmetic purposes, but also to keep droopy eyelids from hindering one’s vision! On occasion, cosmetic eyelid surgery is combined with BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and under eye circles.
  3. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck.) An abdominoplasty flattens, and shapes the patient’s abdomen and waist, removing excess skin and fat. Muscles also become tighter during this procedure! Many women request this procedure following life-changing events, such as pregnancy, which can stretch out the muscles around the abdomen.
  4. Breast augmentation. Breast augmentations remain extremely in-demand among women who wish to enhance the size of small, or uneven breasts. Women may choose their procedure for aesthetic reasons, as well as for medical reasons, since uneven breasts can often be uncomfortable. Augmentation surgery may be performed on its own, or in combination with breast lift surgery. Breast implants are cohesive gel implants, which are placed behind each breast, to give the patient the look they’ve always wanted.
  5. Liposuction. Liposuction remains in-demand among patients who want to enhance the overall body shape. This procedure sculpts the shape of a patient’s body, removing stubborn fat from targeted areas of the body, such as the thighs, abdomen, waist, neck, hips and buttocks. Patients love the slimmer appearance this procedure gives them!

Plastic Surgery in Calgary

If you are interested in exploring any of these procedures, contact us today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

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