Alternative to surgical breast reduction: Encore Cosmetic Clinic

While a larger bust can be aesthetically pleasing to some and even a source of envy to others, it might not be such a delight to its owner. The weight of the breasts can cause back, neck and shoulder pain, deep grooves from bra straps in the shoulders and restrict movement.

Furthermore, the emotional toll can be immense – unwanted attention that begins in teenage years can be excruciating with women feeling defined by their large breasts, while obtaining comfortable and attractive bra support and finding great clothes that fit and flatter becomes a lifelong pursuit.

Traditional breast reduction surgery is expensive and only a very small proportion of applicants each year get to have the procedure within the public system. Traditional breast reduction surgery also needs to be carried out by plastic or general surgeons.

However, the fantastic news is that breast reduction procedures using tumescent liposuction have been developed and practised by dermatological surgeons such as Grant Bellaney, skin and fat specialist and founder of the Encorė Cosmetic Clinic.

“Most breasts, particularly in women over the age of 40, consist of 40 to 60 percent fat, so the removal of some of that fat through a procedure called tumescent liposuction can give a significant reduction in breast size,” Grant says.

Producing extremely good results, the procedure is suitable for all ages, particularly those over the age of 40. It was first used in the 1980s and has an outstanding safety record. The list of advantages over traditional breast reduction surgery include use of tumescent rather than general anaesthetic, key hole surgery resulting in fast healing and little or no scarring, and it is a day procedure with a faster recovery time.

“There are also fewer side effects. With traditional surgery about 10 to 25 percent of patients can experience a loss of sensitivity in the nipples or an inability to breastfeed afterwards. With tumescent liposuction, the risk reduces to less than one percent,” Grant says.

Dr Bellaney is the only specialist in the South Island performing this technique and has successfully performed this procedure on hundreds of women over the last 10 years. For more information, phone the day surgery clinic, situated at 248 Papanui Road Merivale, on 03 356 0214, or visit the website www.encorehealth.co.nz.