What is breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction, otherwise known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgery involving the removal of fat, breast tissue and skin from the breast area. 

Why take breast reduction surgery?

People who experience back pains due to the added weight of large breasts are more susceptible to long-term chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. Not only that, some patients go through moments of low self-esteem due to the body image attached to their physique. Aside from this, there is also the general discomfort brought by the extra mass- people tend to experience rashes, chafing, and even bleeding. Treatment for breast reduction aims to solve these main problems.

In an age where stress and depression are considered the prerequisites of a successful lifestyle, people try to find solace in the little things, whether hanging out with friends or binging Netflix in the seclusion of their homes. According to a report from Statista, the number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures has grown in the last decade, going from 1.6 million in 1997 to 5.5 million in 2020 alone.

This proves that people exposed to mental stress for periods of time often exhibit symptoms of early aging, therefore the increase in plastic surgeries. We sat down with Dr. Adam Kinal, a Board-Certified surgeon and Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, to find out why people need plastic surgeries and whether or not they truly play any role in improving the mental state of the patients.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Doctor.

Dr. Adam Kinal: I have wanted to become a doctor since I was a child, mainly because of my mother; she was my inspiration. It was kind of an obsession for me, but my medical journey started in Jamaica, where I helped small villages as a medical practitioner. After that came my training at the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, which is one of the largest public hospitals and medical training facilities in the United States. After years of hard work and grueling hours, I finally got my dream opportunity. I was selected for a fellowship program at the Southern Surgical Arts, one of the busiest and best surgical practices nationwide. There I worked on more than 1,200 cases in the first year alone.

After practicing in South Florida and working at various Miami facilities, I was able to perfect my BBL technique and moved to Los Angeles. During my career, I’ve performed thousands of surgeries at Eden Cosmetic Surgery and Boris Cosmetic Surgery.

You said you were obsessed with becoming a doctor, but why did you choose to be a cosmetic surgeon?

Dr. Adam Kinal: I’m not the first doctor in my family, so my interest stemmed from there. I was 15 years old when I decided to be a surgeon. I had a clear-cut goal in front of me and the strategy necessary to achieve it. As for why I chose cosmetic surgery, it’s mostly because – most of my patients are stressed about their looks and their physique, and they believe that they can’t do anything about it. They feel trapped in a shell that they’re not comfortable in. I chose cosmetic surgery because I want people to be comfortable in their bodies. I want them to embrace and love themselves, so they don’t shy away from living their lives to the fullest.

Is there any special diet plan or regimen your patients must follow post-surgery?

Dr. Adam Kinal: It’s very important that patients follow a strict diet consisting of lean proteins like fresh fruits, vegetables and probiotics. They need to stay hydrated, quit smoking, and limit alcohol, sodas, and processed foods for good. I also advise light exercise after a few weeks of the procedure, at least till their body has recovered.

A lot of patients are emotionally distressed when they come to you. Is there any procedure that you follow to assess whether or not the patient should undergo surgery?

Dr. Adam Kinal: Usually, I draft a report on the patient because it’s a big step in their lives, and I make sure they want surgery. Another problem is that patients often have unrealistic expectations, so I try my best to help them visualize a realistic result, so they are delighted.

Do you have any advice for people looking to become cosmetic surgeons?

Dr. Adam Kinal: I want to say that it’s a lengthy process, and it’s not easy at all, but in the end, what matters is the happiness of the people you will help. The younger generation has grown more conscious of their looks and want to feel comfortable in their bodies, so as long as you help improve someone’s life, I think that’s all that matters, no matter what you do.