Breast Reduction

The Goal of Breast Reduction Surgery

Large and heavy breasts can create serious physical and emotional discomfort for a woman. The weight of large breasts can cause headaches; back, shoulder, and neck pain; and excessive sweating under the breasts can lead to skin irritation and rashes. The impact on a woman's self-image can be equally devastating, causing her to feel self-conscious and frustrated about the breasts' disproportionate size on her body and the difficulty this creates in finding clothes that fit well and flatter her appearance, not to mention the unwanted stares and attention she often receives.

In light of these challenges, it comes as no surprise that breast reduction surgery has one of the highest satisfaction rates among all cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. The rewards it provides are not only cosmetic—improving the shape of the breasts to make them lighter, perkier, and more proportionate with the rest of the body—but a strengthened self-confidence and relief from physical discomfort are equally valuable benefits of the procedure for most breast reduction patients. Breast reduction surgery is a liberating experience for many women, allowing them to engage in a more active and energetic lifestyle and to wear a greater range of styles that flatter their new contours beautifully.

If breast reduction surgery interests you and you would like to learn how this procedure may benefit you, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Mentz. You may e-mail or call us at 713.799.9999.

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz

An Innovative Leader in Breast, Body, and Facial Plastic Surgery

As the nation's first triple board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Henry Mentz is respected nationwide for his introduction of innovative breast enhancement, facial rejuvenation, and body contouring techniques. He received the unique and valuable privilege to train with the inventors of breast implants, an experience which provided him with insights into managing the various facets and potential complexities of breast augmentation surgery. In collaboration with his colleagues at The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas, Dr. Mentz developed an innovative new technique to improve the results and safety of combining breast augmentation with breast lift surgery. To diminish the shoulder grooves created by tight bra straps, a characteristics that women with large breasts commonly experience, Dr. Mentz introduced a fat grafting technique to fill in the indentions so that strapless dresses, tops, and swimsuits can be worn more confidently.

In recognition of his body contouring expertise, the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has invited Dr. Mentz to present his liposculpting techniques to plastic surgeons at its annual meetings each year. In the popular lipocontouring course, Dr. Mentz focuses on Abdominal Etching® and buttocks augmentation.

Dr. Mentz has presented his techniques to advance body contouring's safety, recovery, and results through numerous presentations and publications for plastic surgeons. He wrote the first paper introducing the use of a marcaine pump after tummy tuck surgery to reduce postoperative pain. In addition to authoring three book chapters on liposuction, he has written papers on large volume liposuction and the use of blood thinners after liposuction to reduce blood clots. The ASAPS and Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation jointly awarded Dr. Mentz the "Best Journal Article of 2008" for his article which presented risk assessment for liposuction based upon a review of 3871 consecutive cases.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

In a breast reduction procedure, Dr. Mentz resculpts the breasts to make them lighter, firmer, and more proportionate with the rest of your body. This is achieved through the removal of excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue. The technique that is selected will depend upon the amount of reduction you desire and the characteristics of your breasts: their size, shape, laxity, and skin thickness.

In some cases liposuction alone to remove excess fat is sufficient to achieve a more ideal breast contour. But because large breasts typically sag due to their weight and the effects of gravity, most breast reduction patients benefit from techniques which reduce excess skin and tissue and elevate the breasts and nipples into a more attractive position. The size of the areoas (darkened area surrounding the nipples) also may be reduced to bring them more into proportion with breasts' new contours.

In two of the most commonly used incisions, the "anchor" and "lollipop" incisions, an incision is made around the areola and vertically down the lower portion of the breast. In the anchor technique, an incision is also made horizonally in the breast crease. Though breast reduction surgery leaves permanent scars, most patients feel the benefits of the procedure are worth this tradeoff. Scarring fades over the course of a year.

Breast reduction surgery is completed in approximately three to five hours. Dr. Mentz performs surgery at his private AAAASF-certified SurgiCentre facility in Houston, Texas, where patients are monitored and cared for by board certified physician anesthesiologists and his highly skilled professional medical team.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Following your breast reduction procedure, Dr. Mentz will most likely recommend an overnight stay in one of his SurgiCentre's private recovery suites, where you will be cared for by highly-trained registered nurses. If you live within 30 miles of our facility, Dr. Mentz will offer a visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse who is trained to assist you with your recovery. The nurse will monitor your recovery, change any dressings, assist you with your medication, and provide Dr. Mentz with an update on your condition.

Most women can return to work in one to two weeks but should avoid lifting or strenuous exercise for about four weeks. During the weeks following your surgery, you will wear a bra to support and promote the healing of your breasts and to help reduce swelling and bruising.

The Added Touch Medical Spa

Services to Support Your Breast Reduction Recovery

Scar Therapy System

To help diminish postoperative scars, we have designed a Scar Therapy System, which consists of three products to be applied daily in the weeks following surgery. This package includes two SkinMedica products: TNS Recovery Complex and Tri-Retinol Complex, and an advanced scar treatment gel. As an added benefit, the SkinMedica products can be applied to the face as part of a long-term daily routine to improve the skin's tone and texture.

30-Minute Post-Surgical Therapeutic Massage

The massage therapists at Dr. Mentz's Added Touch Medical Spa offer a gentle post-surgical massage that is designed to support and speed your body's natural healing process after a cosmetic surgery procedure. A combination of lymphatic and Swedish massage techniques are used, which work together to relax you, restore your range of motion, and stimulate the lymphatic system to help reduce bruising, swelling, and numbness.

To schedule your breast reduction consultation with Dr. Mentz, e-mail or call his office today at 713.799.9999.

Before and After Breast Reduction Photos

Before After
Before After