Procedure: Bilateral breast reduction.

Patient Concerns: This 26 year old female was 5’3” tall, weighed 165 pounds and wore a 36DDD brassiere.

Dr. Markus’ Treatment: Bilateral breast reduction was performed utilizing the inferior pedicle technique. Preoperatively, there was breast asymmetry with the left breast larger than the right. During surgery, more tissue was removed from the left side in order to achieve balance. Approximately 1.75 and 1.5 pounds of tissue was removed from the left and right breast respectively. The patient’s breast size was changed from a 36DDD to a 36B.

Patient Comments: This patient is very happy with her new breast shape and size. Her new image has encouraged her to diet and she has lost 35 pounds since surgery.

‘My breasts bloomed quickly during the 4th grade. It didn’t help that my bust line became larger than most of the teachers and I hadn’t even reached 5 feet tall. By the time I got out of high school I was bursting out of a DDD. I have wanted a breast reduction for as long as I can remember but I wasn’t sure that it was something I would be able to attain. Now, after my 2 children and having a very supportive husband, I decided to look into it. I set up several consultations with plastic surgeons in the area and decided that I was most happy with the before and after pictures that Dr. Markus had. Dr. Markus sent the paperwork to my insurance company for approval. When the approval came back I was ecstatic, excited, nervous, shocked. Now I really had to be sure I wanted this. I am going to do this for me but with the support of my husband, family, and friends it would be easier.

I was to the point that the pain in my back, the trenches on my shoulders from the straps, the feeling that everyone that looked at my breasts was thinking, “Look at those! That poor thing.” And finally putting deodorant under and between my breasts was more than enough to justify the temporary pain the surgery would cause. I did more research (with the help of my husband) to decide how small I wanted to go. I wanted to be sure that my doctor understood exactly what shape and size we had in mind. So at my next appointment with Dr. Markus we talked about size then we set up the date of the surgery.

I never expected to be this happy with the results. My surgery was May of 2000 and I look so much different now. My breasts look fantastic but now I could see my stomach which I had no idea was there. I decided that, since my breasts are not going under my arms anymore, I probably should start to exercise after I heal so the rest of my body would look as good as my breasts. I would not have been able to do it without my reduction. Among the other ‘everyday’ things associated with large breasts….raising my arms to lift weights would rub my arms raw. Running was impossible without discomfort (my breasts crashed down with each step, I swear I could hear it). In May of 2000, I was a size 14/16 and now, in August of 2002, I am a size 6! My breast reduction has changed my life for the better and I hope I can help others with their decision by telling my story.’