Hoyer Lift Versus Breast Reduction>Hoyer lifts could be helpful if you have trouble getting around because of back problems. If you want to alleviate your back pain, breast reduction surgery is another alternative. It is not, however, a replacement for Hoyer lifts. Here, we’ll break down the key distinctions between the two and offer some advice for making your final decision.
To help patients with limited mobility get from their bed to their wheelchair or the bathroom, medical professionals may often utilize a Hoyer lift. A Hoyer lift can be used to help a patient stand up and then transfer them to a chair or the toilet. The patient does not have to transfer positions when using the gadget, as it is fixed to their bed or wheelchair.
Getting implants is a very personal decision because it can be expensive. And breast reduction, while it will make your clothes fit better and make clothes shopping more enjoyable, is a very big operation and can come with other complications regarding scarring and trauma. Read on to learn more on breast reduction and lift scars/breast reduction and lift recovery.
Hoyer Lift Versus Breast Reduction
Breast reduction and breast lift procedures can be great options for women who wish to reduce or alter the position of their breasts. They are also effective surgeries for any woman wanting to refine the size or shape of their breasts. So, which one should you choose? That all depends on your personal goals and expectations. Below you will find information pertaining to the differences and similarities breast reduction and breast lift procedures share, which might just help you decide which surgery is right for you.
Breast reduction
A breast reduction, or a reduction mammoplasty, can reduce a significant amount of volume and alleviate excess weight in the breast area. It does this by removing excess skin, fat and tissue to reduce the size of the breasts. This procedure is beneficial for women who are seeking to reduce the size of their breasts because of health issues or personal preference. Often when the breast reduction procedure is performed, women experience a much more lifted appearance. Some patients opt to have their areolas reduced or in some cases have their excess tissue sent off to be screened for breast cancer.
Most women who opt for a breast reduction struggle with the following due to their breast size and weight:
- Physical activity limitations
- Back and neck discomfort
- Poor posture
- Difficulty breathing and sleeping
- Chronic skin rashes
- Difficulty finding clothing and proper support
Breast lift
A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is most beneficial for women who have sagging breasts. This type of procedure reshapes and supports the breast tissue to achieve a more youthful figure. It also helps restore the shape and volume that may have been lost due to age, weight loss or breastfeeding. Because a breast lift repositions the location of the breasts, they can appear smaller. However, only excess skin is removed, not the actual breast tissue. Often with breast lifts, the nipple and areolas are repositioned and reduced in size to create a more natural look.
Most women who opt for a breast lift struggle with the following due to their breast position:
- Insecurity due to sagging breasts
- Flat or drooping-shaped breasts
- Downward pointed nipples or nipples that fall below the breast crease
- Stretched out skin due to weight fluctuation, aging and breastfeeding
- Breast unevenness
Which one is right for you?
Despite their differences, most patients who have these procedures to attain their specific goals are highly satisfied with their results. Both procedures are relatively easy to recover from and require 2 to 4 weeks of downtime. Even though both procedures address different issues, it is not unusual for women to encounter both excess breast tissue and sagging. Commonly, these women get the best results by receiving a combination of breast reduction and breast lift procedures. If you are considering a breast reduction, breast lift or a combination of the two, do your research and find a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss which one is right for your specific goals.
Breast Reduction And Lift Recovery
Recovery. It can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from breast reduction surgery. You may need to take 2 to 3 weeks off work, and need help with housework, childcare and shopping. You should not drive until it’s no longer painful to wear a seatbelt.
Before you go ahead, be sure about why you want a breast reduction. Take time to think about your decision.
You could also speak to a GP about it.
Choosing a surgeon
If you’re having a breast reduction in England, check with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
All independent clinics and hospitals that provide cosmetic surgery in England must be registered with the CQC.
Be careful when searching the internet for breast reduction surgery. Some clinics may pay to advertise their services on search listings.
Check the surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). They should be listed on the specialist register and have a licence to practise.
Also, check the British Association of Plastic Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) to see if the surgeon is a “full member” on the specialist register for plastic surgery.
Always book an appointment to meet the surgeon before the procedure.
Ask your surgeon:
- about their qualifications and experience
- how many breast reduction operations they have performed
- how many operations they have performed where there have been complications
- what sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong
- what their patient satisfaction rates are.
What breast reduction involves
Breast reduction surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. This means you’ll be asleep during the operation.
Generally, the operation involves:
- moving your nipple to its new position – usually while it’s still attached to the blood supply
- removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from your breasts
- reshaping the remaining breast tissue
The operation takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the breast reduction.
You’ll usually need to stay in hospital for 1 or 2 nights.
Afterwards
When you wake up after surgery, you’ll have dressings on your breasts and plastic tubes may be attached to them to drain blood away.
After 1 to 2 days, the tubes will be removed and you’ll usually be able to go home.
You may have some pain for a few days, which can be relieved with painkillers.
It’s likely your breasts will be swollen, and may feel tender and lumpy after surgery. The swelling may last for around 3 months.
You will not see what your breasts look like until the swelling has gone down.
Recovery
It can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from breast reduction surgery.
You may need to take 2 to 3 weeks off work, and need help with housework, childcare and shopping.
You should not drive until it’s no longer painful to wear a seatbelt. This may be several weeks.
Avoid stretching, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for up to 6 weeks after the operation.
Some surgeons suggest wearing a sports bra 24 hours a day for up to 3 months after breast surgery. Check with your surgeon.
The length of time you need to keep the dressings on depends on how quickly your wounds heal.
Stitches will need to be removed after a week or 2, unless they’re dissolvable.
Scars
You’ll probably have scars around your nipples.
You may also have a vertical scar running down your breast and a horizontal scar across the crease, below the breast (anchor-shaped).
Or you may only have a vertical scar running down your breast.
It depends on the type of surgery you have.
Scars are usually red for the first 6 weeks, but most fade over time and should be invisible under normal clothes, bras and bikini tops.
What could go wrong
Breast reduction surgery can sometimes result in problems, including:
- thick, obvious scarring
- unevenly shaped breasts or nipples
- wound healing problems
- loss of nipple sensation
- being permanently unable to breastfeed
- red or lumpy breasts if the fat dies (fat necrosis)
- excess skin left around the scars, which may need to be surgically removed
- bleeding inside the breast tissue (haematoma) – this generally happens within the first 24 hours after the operation
Also, any type of operation carries a small risk of:
- excessive bleeding
- infection
- an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
- a blood clot forming in the deep veins
Your surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they’d be treated if you have them.
Besides being uncomfortable naked and in a bathing suit, my neck and shoulders were killing me. And my belief that I looked OK in clothes was shot to pieces one day in my late 20s when I reviewed a taped segment of myself (I was an on-air TV reporter) and saw that I looked like I had two huge grapefruits under my sweater. I was horrified and never appeared on-screen again in anything but a business suit.
Life could have gone on like this—with me enduring the pain in my neck and rib cage, being tired of the sweat that accumulated at night between the two mounds of heavy skin while I tried to sleep, and strapping on several sports bras before every jog—if my mother hadnt met a woman whod had breast-reduction surgery. Id considered reduction mammoplasty, sure, but I really couldnt afford it. (The average cost is $6,000-plus, according to plastic surgery organizations.) But the woman my mother told me about had the surgery and loved it, and her insurance paid for it.
I had no idea my top-heaviness was a medical condition that might be covered. But I was about to find that out. Heres my journey and what you need to know.
The approval process
Insurance companies need to be convinced that breast reduction is medically necessary. And convincing them requires more than just a doctors recommendation. You need real proof. To get it, I went to see an aesthetic-and-reconstructive plastic surgeon. After a quick examination, he told me what I already knew. My breasts were large for my frame, one was a good deal larger than the other, and I had the typical indentation marks on the top of each shoulder where bra straps had pressed into my skin for years. In his opinion, I was a good candidate.
The next step was harder. I had to be photographed from the neck down, and the pictures were sent to my insurer. A panel of doctors would determine if a reduction was appropriate and, most important, if my bill would be paid.
Insurance companies typically make the call by relying on a set of charts that consider height, weight, and the amount of removable tissue in each breast, according to Amy S. Colwell, MD, a specialist in aesthetic-and-reconstructive breast surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The surgery is covered 90 percent of the time when the tissue to be removed meets insurers standard criteria. (It weighs between 400 grams to 2,000 grams, or about 1 to 4 pounds.) Women with DD, DDD, and H cups usually qualify. But Dr. Colwell says the criteria of different insurers can be fuzzy, and a recent study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that insurers breast-reduction rules arent always based on medical science.
Weeks passed as I waited to hear what a panel of strangers had decided about my naked body. When the call finally came, I was shocked and thrilled all at the same time: The insurance company had approved my surgery, and I would probably go from an overflowing DD to a B. At 5-foot-4 and 130 pounds, I thought that sounded a little bit small, but I knew I needed the surgery. And now, finally, at 30 years old, I could afford it. The cost? My small deductible of $150.
There are several ways to perform a breast reduction. In my case, tissue was removed from the bottom of each breast, and my nipples were moved up without disconnecting them from the blood flow, allowing me to quickly regain sensation. “Nobodys leavin till theyre even,” was my surgeons motto in the operating room.
What about the risks? They include infection, wound breakdown, scarring, and the need for re-operating. Studies suggest that 10 to 50% of women undergoing a reduction may have some complications. But the healthier you are, experts say, the more likely surgery will be a success. Dr. Colwell says most women are extremely satisfied.
With mild pain medication and a full week of rest, recovery was easier than I had anticipated. Early on, I had feeling in one breast but not the other. With time, sensation returned to both, just as the doc said it would.
Two years later, the scars around my nipple and the lower-middle section
of each breast are barely visible. The scars underneath each breast are light-colored and hidden by the natural shape of perky boobs. Because theyre around and below the nipple, they dont show in bikini tops or plunging necklines. To be honest, I love the scars. They are a reminder that I took control of a part of my body that was out of control.
Although it takes months for breasts to take on their permanent shape after a reduction, I quickly looked and felt different. The weight on my neck and rib cage was gone, and, for the first time in a long time, I felt proportional. And my bra size? I turned out to be a perfect 34D. (Once in surgery, my doctor was able to meet the weight-removal requirements set by the insurance company and still leave me with breasts that felt right to me.)
Now that Im out of the Big Bra Club and feel great, Im on a mission to convert other women whose large breasts are a health issue. They need to know that feeling top-heavy, uncomfortable, and embarrassed isnt just a part of life that they need put up with. They need to know its not normal to have to search constantly for a bra that fits or to have backbreaking pain. And although a reduction can limit a womans ability to breast-feed, its unlikely to affect mammograms. Ultimately, these women need to know that big-breast problems can be fixed. For good.
breast reduction and lift scars
Breast reduction scars are visible marks of your body’s healing process after breast reduction surgery. Scars develop after a surgeon makes an incision in your skin, and then closes up the incision to let your body create scar tissue. Scar tissue is new skin tissue that fills the gap caused by the incision. Most scars from breast reduction surgery are thin lines that vary in color from your natural skin tone.
What do breast reduction scars look and feel like?
Breast reduction scars vary in shape and size but usually look like a line that’s a lighter or darker shade than your natural skin tone. Scars can also be pink, red, purple, gray or dark brown. Some people are more at risk of developing raised scars. Scars can itch or feel tender after your surgery.
What are the different types of breast reduction scars?
The type of breast reduction scar you have varies based on the type of incision that your surgeon makes during breast reduction surgery. There are two main types of incisions to complete a breast reduction procedure:
- Vertical (lollipop) procedure: For a vertical or lollipop surgery, a surgeon will make two incisions — one around your areola (the darker circle surrounding your nipple) and one running vertically from the bottom of your areola to the crease of the bottom of your breast.
- Inverted (anchor) procedure: For an inverted or anchor breast reduction surgery, a surgeon will make three incisions: One around the edge of your areola, one from the bottom of your areola to the crease in your breast and one along your breast crease.
Your surgeon will use caution during your procedure to minimize the appearance of scars, but they can’t prevent all scars.
What are the complications of breast reduction scars?
There are two types of complications that cause raised scars after breast reduction surgery:
- Keloid scars are raised scars that grow larger than your incision site. They develop slowly over months to years. This type of scar doesn’t fade over time. These scars are more common if you have a darker skin tone due to your genetic code.
- Hypertrophic scars are raised scars that appear one to two months after surgery. Unlike keloid scars, these scars won’t extend beyond the incision site. Hypertrophic scars fade over time.
How do I know what type of breast reduction scars I will have?
The size and pattern of your breast reduction scars depend on the technique your surgeon uses. Your provider will recommend the technique that’s right for you based on your:
- Specific breast procedure.
- Breast size and breast anatomy.
- Breast shape and symmetry (whether one breast is larger or smaller than the other).
- Desired outcome of the procedure.
Do breast reduction scars look different or change over time?
Yes, breast reduction scars change with time as your body heals after surgery. Most scars fade or blend in with your natural skin tone and you can cover them with clothing. Your breast reduction scars may change:
- After six weeks: You’ll likely have a bandage on your scar for several weeks to protect your surgical site, so you may not notice how your skin is healing. When you remove your bandages as directed, your scar may have a red tone to it (usually red to purple). That area of your skin may be slightly elevated from the skin around it.
- After six months: Your scar tissue is still new, so your scar will stand out on your skin. You won’t need a bandage over your surgical site, as your skin has healed over the incision site, but your scar may look lighter or darker than your natural skin tone. Red tones may still be present but they’re not as vibrant. You may have some elevation over your incision site or your scar will be flat against your skin.
- After one year: This is the remodeling stage of healing. Your scar will start to blend in with your natural skin tone. It may still stand out on your skin for several months to years. Your scar looks lighter or darker than your natural skin tone but is close in shade.
PROCEDURE DETAILS
How do I reduce the appearance of breast reduction scars?
The best way to minimize breast reduction scars is to follow your provider’s post-surgical instructions. Talk to your provider about what you can do during the healing process to make scars less noticeable. You may need to wait until the scars are healed to do certain treatments. Your provider may recommend:
- Creams or ointments: An ointment that contains silicone can make a scar less noticeable. These also come in the form of a silicone gel sheet that you place on your skin. Talk to your provider before using any cream, ointment or oil, including vitamin E oil. Although many people believe vitamin E oil reduces the appearance of scars, there’s not enough evidence to prove that it’s effective.
- Cryosurgery (cryotherapy): Healthcare providers use a special tool to freeze scar tissue. Cryotherapy treatment destroys scar tissue and leaves a smaller, less noticeable scar.
- Injections: If you develop keloid scars following surgery, corticosteroid injections can reduce their size.
- Laser treatments: Ask your provider about laser skin resurfacing, which can make scars less noticeable by removing layers of skin.
- Massage: A scar massage can promote healing and reduce itching. Your provider will show you how to carefully massage the scar using lotion or cream. Don’t start massaging the scars until your surgeon says it’s safe (usually a few weeks after surgery).
How do I care for my breast reduction scars?
Caring for breast reduction scars begins with caring for your incisions as they heal. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully after surgery. You should wear a surgical bra or bandages, and keep the area clean. Tell your provider right away if you notice any problems like pain or swelling. Be careful to avoid:
- Scratching: Scars can itch while your skin is healing. But scratching or scrubbing them can interfere with your body’s healing process and make scars more noticeable.
- Smoking: Talk to your provider about quitting smoking before surgery. Smoking can make it more difficult for your body to heal and can make scarring worse.
- Sun exposure: Always wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher or cover your scars with clothing. Scars can darken with repeated sun exposure, which also increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
Is there a procedure to remove breast reduction scars?
If you’re unhappy with breast reduction scars following surgery, talk to your provider. There are several surgical procedures that can reduce the appearance of a scar, but they’re not for everyone. Keep in mind that no matter what type of procedure you have, breast reduction scars never fully go away.
RISKS / BENEFITS
What are the potential benefits of treating breast reduction scars?
The main benefit of treating breast reduction scars is to minimize their appearance on your skin. This can make you feel more confident about your appearance.
Does treatment to remove breast reduction scars work?
There isn’t one type of treatment that works to minimize the appearance of everyone’s scar after breast reduction surgery. Each person should work with their dermatologist or healthcare provider to find a treatment option that’s right for their skin. It may take several different types of treatment to find one that works for you.
What are the risks or complications of treating breast reduction scars?
Each type of treatment for breast reduction scars comes with potential risks. Some of the most common complications of treatment to reduce the appearance of breast reduction scars include:
- Skin discoloration.
- Scar regrowth.
- Itching.
- Peeling skin.
- Injection site pain.
- Numbness.
- Before you begin treatment, discuss the risks and complications with your healthcare provider.
RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK
Are breast reduction scars permanent?
Breast reduction scars don’t completely disappear. They may change in size and blend in with your natural skin tone over time. While your scar won’t go away completely, it can fade enough to where you don’t even notice it on your skin. Surgeons will hide incisions to minimize the appearance of scars. If you do have scars, you can hide them underneath clothing, even a bikini.
Price
Laser Hair Removal is usually completed after 6-8 treatments. Anything after that is most likely unnecessary and a giant waste of money. These prices are directly from quotes given to our clients before they switched to us.
Prices below are to remove hair fully. (Find A Better You prices are for 6 treatments)
| Area | “Big Brand Laser Company” Price | Find A Better You Price | Ideal Image Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands | $1,392 | $349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $1,043 | N/A |
| Nipples (Areola) | $2,352 | $349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $2,003 | N/A |
| Toes & Feet | $1,392 | $349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $1,043 | N/A |
| Underarms(Armpits) | $3,528 | $349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $4,151 | $4,500 |
| Bikini Line (Sides) | $4,704 | $349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $5,650 | $5,999 |
| Ears | $1,392 | $349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $1,043 | N/A |
| Abdomen | $4,248 | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $3,749 | N/A |
| Brazilian | $7,128 | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $6,629 | $3,700 |
| Buttocks | $4,272 | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $3,773 | N/A |
| Neck | $2,832 | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $2,333 | $1,400 |
| Full Face & Neck | $7,128 | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $7,916 | $8,415 (Partial Face) |
| Arms | $7,152 | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $6,653 | N/A |
| Back | $6,864 | $899 (6 Treatments)Save up to $5,965 | N/A |
| Chest | $4,896 | $899 (6 Treatments)Save up to $5,601 | $6,500 |
| Lower Legs orUpper Legs | $5,712 | $899 (6 Treatments)Save up to $4,813 | $3,300 (Price is 80% Off) |
| Lips & Chin | $3,240 (Chin only) | $499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $941 | $1,440 $900 (Lip only) |
*The prices are quotes given to clients of ours that switched from these two companies (they may fluctuate in price). These are the prices to normally get rid of hair fully. Find A Better You prices are for 6 treatments.
The Price Breakdown
“Big Brand Laser Company” Laser Hair Removal Cost
As you can see in the table above there are some pretty crazy high prices here. For example: the Bikini Line is $4,355, lower legs are $4,813, underarms are $3,528! Just look at the price differences between Find A Better You vs that other “Big Brand Laser Company”, at Find A Better You, you save $1,043-$6,653 more on just one area! And both businesses use the same laser!!
Ideal Image Laser Hair Removal Prices
Ideal Image laser hair removal cost is hard to find online. We have some quotes from clients that switched to us. For example: a Full Bikini cost $5,999, a Ideal Image Brazilian cost $3,700, and even the Chest is 6,500! Again these prices are outrageous compared to Find A Better You, you instantly save $901-$5,650 on a single area! Also they have the same laser as Find A Better You and that other “Big Brand Laser Company”.
Find A Better You Prices
Check out our updated prices on our laser hair removal page. It shows all of the areas and prices, we believe in transparency. Our small area is $349 (6 treatments), medium area $499 (6 treatments), and a large area $899 (6 treatments). Those are our prices, and it really is that simple.
Find A Better You vs that “Big Brand Company” vs Ideal Image
All three companies use the same laser (Candela GentleMax Pro).
At Find A Better You:
-All our laser technicians are certified by Candela (the company that makes the laser).
-Whenever the laser is in use, we have a doctor (Dr. James Sturm D.O. DABA, FIPP) in the building.
You will most likely get very nice people at all three companies and hopefully be satisfied with your results with all three. You might hear of “unlimited packages” from other companies but honestly it is a waste of money because it only takes 6-8 treatments to get rid of hair completely.
Make sure to ask your laser technician to see their certification. They should be proud to show it to you.