Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Breast Reduction Surgery In Mexico

Have you been thinking about getting breast reduction surgery?

If so, you might have considered going to Mexico for the procedure. We’re here to tell you that’s a great idea!

The procedure is relatively simple and safe—and it’s much less expensive in Mexico than at home. So if saving money or getting your surgery done in a place where it’s not as common appeals to you, keep reading to learn more about what goes into breast reduction surgery in Mexico.

Breast Reduction Surgery In Mexico

Breast Reduction Can Relieve Physical Discomfort and Boost Your Confidence

Breast Reduction in Tijuana

Breast Reduction in Tijuana Mexico

When the breasts are too large, they can strain the body, leading to considerable back and neck pain. A disproportionate bust can also cause sufferers to feel self-conscious.

Breast reduction treatment at LIMARP® can relieve the discomfort of overly large breasts. At our Tijuana, México , clinic, we use the latest technology to perform breast reduction surgery to provide the safest and most efficient medical experience possible. During your consultation, our plastic surgery team can create a plan to reduce the size of your breasts while maintaining an attractive and natural-looking appearance.

Benefits of Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery can relieve:

  • Limitations on physical activity due to discomfort from the weight of your breasts
  • Feelings of self-consciousness
  • Discomfort in the upper back, shoulders, and neck
  • Breathing issues
  • Skin indentations from bra straps
  • Difficulty finding clothes that fit well
  • Skin irritation underneath the breasts
  • Imbalanced proportions

At LIMARP®, we will assess your health during your initial consultation and determine whether breast reduction surgery is right for you. Our plastic surgery team is skilled and compassionate, and uses only refined techniques to keep scarring to a minimum and provide you with results that can have outstanding physical and emotional benefits.

Because of its life-changing benefits, breast reduction surgery has extremely high satisfaction rates.

Candidates for Breast Reduction

In order to undergo a breast reduction, you should:

  • Be in good overall health and free of any medical conditions that could complicate your surgery or recovery
  • Have realistic expectations about what a breast reduction can do for your figure
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle and refrain from habits such as smoking, which can lengthen your recovery and increase your risk of complications
  • Find that your quality of life is reduced because of your large breasts
  • Be at a stable weight
  • Not have any plans to have children, since pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the results of your surgery

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will review your medical history and ensure that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. He will also ask you to point out your areas of concern to ensure that a breast reduction alone will meet your needs. If you want to improve the projection and shape of your breasts as well, he may recommend a breast lift in combination with your reduction. Foreign patients will be asked to email specific photographs in order to determine which procedure best responds to their needs.

Because it can help eliminate excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue, a breast reduction is a great option for patients who have recently participated in a weight loss program. Following massive weight loss, a breast reduction can help you achieve a breast size more proportionate to your new figure.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

Although the actual length of your surgery will depend on the extent of your concerns and whether you are combining a breast reduction with other procedures, most surgeries can be completed in two to five hours. Breast reduction surgery is performed under the type of anesthesia that is ideal for your particular case. You will be unconscious throughout the procedure and should not experience any pain or discomfort. During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will make an incision around the nipple and, if necessary, in other areas of the breast. He will then remove excess tissue from the sides and bottom of the breast. If you are also undergoing a breast lift in addition to your reduction, he will reposition the nipple and areola to create a perkier breast form. Sutures will be applied, and bandages and compression garments will be used to protect the breasts as they heal.

Our plastic surgery team is skilled and compassionate, and only use refined techniques to keep scarring to a minimum and provide you with results that can have outstanding physical and emotional benefits.

Recovering from Breast Reduction

You will be able to return home the day after surgery. You will be given a special garment to wear, similar to a sports bra, which should be worn continuously for the next four weeks. You will need to follow all post-surgical instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize discomfort. Instructions may include:

  • Avoiding lying flat on your back.
  • Taking medication as prescribed.
  • Only removing your post-surgical bra for showering.

Most patients are able to return to their normal routines within two weeks, but should not increase physical activity until six weeks have passed. Breasts may remain swollen for up to six months, so be sure to attend your scheduled follow-up appointments to make sure you are healing properly.

Although your breasts will be noticeably smaller after surgery, it will still take approximately two to three months for your final results to set in. Your scars will begin to fade around the one-year mark after your surgery.

Life After Surgery

Once your recovery is complete, you may notice improvements in various areas of your life. In addition to helping you achieve a more proportionate figure, a breast reduction can help you enjoy things like trying on clothing and participating in sports. Because of its life-changing benefits, breast reduction surgery has extremely high satisfaction rates. One study completed by the Annals of Plastic Surgery found that 95 percent of patients who underwent a breast reduction were happy with their results.

Maintaining Your Results

Although the results of a breast reduction are usually permanent, there are certain steps you can take to help maintain the results of your surgery. Try to maintain a stable weight and keep in mind that pregnancy and breastfeeding can increase the size of your breasts once again, reversing the results of your procedure. If you are planning on having more children, talk to our team about your options.

It is important to understand that natural aging can affect the look of your breasts, although your breasts should not go back to the same size they were before surgery.

Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty) Surgery in Mexico

Breast reduction patient in Tijuana, Mexico

Women with overly enlarged, pendulous breasts may experience pain or discomfort when engaging in certain activities such as jogging or playing sports. They may feel self-conscious about wearing low-cut blouses or feel frustrated when shopping for clothes to fit their ample bosom.

If this sounds familiar, COSMED / VIDA Wellness and Beauty offers a solution: breast reduction surgery. Many of our patients — including our out-of-town patients — are so pleased with our holistic team approach to patient care, our AAAASF-accredited surgical facility (the first internationally accredited facility in Tijuana) and, of course, their surgical results that they often remark that they wish they had chosen to have breast reduction surgery with us sooner!

Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery in Tijuana

Aside from feeling embarrassed about your breasts, you may also suffer from chronic back, neck and shoulder pain due to being constantly pulled forward by the weight of your heavy breasts. Your bra straps may dig into your shoulders, leaving you with welts, rashes or painful skin indentations. With breast reduction surgery, the plastic surgeon removes excess skin, glandular tissue and fat from the treatment area while moving the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. This alleviates the physical and emotional discomfort you feel due to your large breasts. In some instances, women may also undergo breast lift surgery simultaneously.

Breast Reduction Incision Types

The incision pattern that you and your surgeon ultimately agree upon depends on your anatomical needs for breast reduction surgery. The Tijuana plastic surgeon offers two main incision approaches:

The “anchor” incision pattern, involving a periareolar incision around the circumference of the areola, a vertical incision extending down the front of your breast and an inframammary incision extending horizontally below the breast fold. This traditional incision approach is best suited for women who seek to remove a significant amount of breast glandular, fat and skin tissue, as well as raise the nipple-areola complex to a higher, more centered position on the breast.

The “lollipop” incision pattern is a modified approach used for women who need a lesser amount of tissue removed as well as a lesser degree of nipple-areola elevation. This “short-scar” approach involves only a periareolar and vertical incision.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction is an outpatient surgery performed with the use of general anesthesia.

The plastic surgeon first makes the incisions before removing the excess skin, breast glandular tissue and fat from the treatment area. He removes most of the tissue from the lower section of the breast to preserve fullness (i.e., cleavage) up top.

Your VIDA plastic surgeon can also reduce the size of an enlarged areola by eliminating skin from the outer border of the areola and can move the nipple to a more central location on the breast. When adjusting the position of the nipple, the surgeon keeps it affixed to the tissue below to help maintain its sensation after surgery.

The result of breast reduction surgery is smaller, lighter, more youthfully positioned breasts. You can rest assured that you will still look like yourself, but your new breasts will be more harmonious with the rest of your figure.

How to Prepare for Breast Reduction Surgery

Once patients decide they’d like to get a Breast Reduction, the next step is knowing how to prepare for it. Going into surgery feeling prepared will make you feel calm and relaxed, and avoid unnecessary anxiety. Let’s go over the basics to prepare you for the big day: 

  • Arrange your transportation for before and after the surgery. A VIDA representative can pick up patients from San Diego International Airport if needed
  • Go over the pre-surgery instructions the doctor provided. Some of the things in this light may include: 
    • Stop smoking 7 to 14 days before the surgery (Or when your surgeon determines it’s best.)
    • Do not take blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs
    • Stop drinking alcohol and increase your water intake
  • Complete your lab testing and a physical
  • Get a mammogram if instructed by your surgeon
  • Arrange time off from work for your recovery

Apart from this, remember that your plastic surgeon will be available to solve all your doubts and questions on how to prepare for your Breast Reduction. The morning of the surgery, your doctor will go over the details of your procedure again, talk about the anesthesia and when you’ll likely be ready to leave. Rest assured that you won’t prepare for the operation alone, we’ll be there to help!

Is Breast Reduction Surgery Dangerous?

A lot of patients wonder how risky or dangerous breast reduction surgery really is. As with any operation that involves anesthesia, there are dangers and complications, such as: 

  • Infection
  • Scarring and poor wound healing.
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding
  • Fluid accumulation in the incisions.

There are also risks directly associated with Breast Reduction surgery, including: 

  • Decreased or loss of sensation in the breast and nipple
  • Temporary bruising and pain in your breasts
  • Breast asymmetry 
  • Difficulty or (rarely) inability to breastfeed
  • Hardening of the breast tissue

Keep in mind that while no surgery is 100% risk free, having an experienced plastic surgeon do your breast reduction increases your safety, minimizing potential complications. Your surgeon will calmly explain the benefits and risks of breast reduction, help you understand them and let you decide how to proceed. The experienced plastic surgeons at VIDA know how personal the decision to undergo surgery is, and will always put your health and safety first.

How Painful is Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, which means that once the sedation kicks in…you won’t feel a thing. VIDA surgeons take great care of making the procedure as comfortable as possible, helping you manage pain and discomfort during and after the surgery. 

When it comes to pain, there are three major things you should know: 

  • The actual surgery doesn’t hurt. An experienced anesthesiologist will make sure you don’t feel any pain while the surgeon works on improving your breasts.
  • Recovery can be painful for a couple of days, but manageable. It’s normal to feel pain because during a reduction mammoplasty, the doctor will remove breast tissue and skin from a tender area of your body. 
  • Your surgeon will explain recovery and pain management with you. He will prescribe pain medications and give you instructions on how to decrease your pain. When followed to a tee, most patients report feeling sore, but little pain.

The first 48 hours can be the most painful, because, at this time, your breasts will swell and become tender to the touch.  After the first 48 to 72 hours have passed, you will notice the swelling starts decreasing and you’ll feel better every day. Your surgeon will likely prescribe pain medication for the first 2 weeks, make sure you take it on time to help keep your pain level controllable. 

These are some simple steps you can take to prevent and decrease pain from Breast Reduction Surgery: 

  • Take pain medication as prescribed
  • Check what and when OTC pain medications are allowed
  • Stay hydrated
  • Learn how to massage your incisions
  • Sleep on your back
  • Rest and sleep a lot
  • Do not lift heavy items
  • Use your surgical bra, even when you sleep
  • Be gentle and extra careful with your breasts, use soft fabrics and avoid underwire bras

How Much Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cost in Tijuana?

If you’re looking for affordable breast reduction surgery, consider a visit to VIDA. The average price of a  breast reduction at VIDA  is $4,100. This is around 45% less than US prices, and the care you receive is the same or even better quality thanks to our surgeons’ extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.  You can see more information about prices of other procedures here. 

The cost of your Breast Reduction surgery at VIDA includes the following: transfers across the border from the San Diego International Airport to our clinic, free planning consultation, surgeon fees, anesthesia and anesthesiologist fees, facility fees, implants, and medications while you’re here. 

There are some extra expenses we like to remind patients to budget for, such as:

  • Overnight stays. A night at our state of the art Recovery Boutique costs $150, which includes all of the comforts of home plus 24/7 nurse care and catered meals. 
  • Pain medications. 
  • Compression garments and specialty/sports bra.

Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery

The treatment area may be bruised, swollen, sore or numb following surgery, but these normal symptoms will subside over time. Taking pain medication as instructed by your surgeon will help relieve any discomfort. Keep the surgical bra that has been placed on the treatment area in place until otherwise advised by your surgeon, to help minimize swelling and provide added support to the healing tissues.

You will need to take about one week off from your job or everyday routine, during which you should get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activities. Nevertheless, walk around the house periodically as soon as you feel up to it, to reduce the risk of blood clots.

You will visit COSMED / VIDA Wellness and Beauty for a few follow-up appointments, during which your surgeon will monitor your progress and provide you with additional post-surgical care instructions, as necessary.

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

Recovering from Breast Reduction surgery takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. It’s important to note that recovery from this surgery is a process, in which you will feel better as time passes. 

Let’s cover a basic timeline of what recovery from Breast Reduction surgery looks like: 

Breast Reduction Recovery Timeline

The first 7 days after Breast Reduction Surgery: These first days are the most uncomfortable for patients. The first 48 hours you may notice that your breasts are sore, numb, swollen and bruising. The swelling may increase a little before starting to subside. 

Pain medication will be prescribed to help you manage pain and discomfort and in order to help your breasts heal, you’ll be instructed to wear a surgical bra. 

During this first week, you won’t be able to work, drive and do much around the house, so enlist some help from a  friend or relative. Take this time to rest and sleep as you regain your strength. While exercise is, not allowed at this point, you should try to take short walks during the day to reduce the risk of blood clots. 

Two to three weeks after Breast Reduction surgery: Most patients feel almost fully recovered at this point. At this point, swelling decreases enough for you to appreciate the results of your surgery and you’ll be able to do regular activities with little to no discomfort, such as cooking, driving and working. With the exception of exercise and strenuous activities, you’ll likely be cleared to resume your normal routine. 

Three to six weeks after Breast Reduction surgery: Swelling usually is 80% gone at this point. You’ll be cleared to exercise after 4 to 6 weeks, with the exception of heavy lifting, push-ups and contact sports. Patients report not feeling sore or tender at this point, and incisions are fully healed too. 

Keep in mind that recovery times vary for everyone, which is why you will visit COSMED / VIDA Wellness and Beauty for a few follow-up appointments. Every time you see your surgeon, he will monitor your progress and provide you with additional post-surgical care instructions, as necessary.

Breast Reduction Surgery Scars

It is normal to wonder how your breasts will look like after the procedure, particularly the risk of scarring. Breast Reduction surgery patients will have some minor scars, which can be easily concealed with clothing and are likely to fade. 

  • Scarring can only occur in the incision site, so discuss with your surgeon the incision pattern he’ll use. Incisions are usually small. 
  • In order to reduce your risk of scarring, here are some quick things you can do: 
  • Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water before the surgery so your skin is more hydrated, this will boost its natural ability to heal. 
  • Do not pick, exfoliate or scratch your incisions. 
  • Wear your surgical bra as instructed.
  • Ask your surgeon for OTC supplies that can help, such as creams.
  • If you develop scarring, talk to your doctor about scar minimizing techniques and treatments.

Learn More About Breast Reduction Surgery in Mexico

Reducing the size of excessively large breasts will help you feel more comfortable in social situations as well as when performing physical activities. By achieving breasts that are in better proportion to the rest of your body, you will increase your self-confidence and overall quality of life.

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