If you suffer from back and neck pain, skin irritation, numbness and tingling in your fingertips and pesky shoulder straps that dig into your skin, you are a prime candidate for the relief that comes from breast reduction surgery; also known as mamoplasty reduction. This procedure will boost your confidence and make you less self-conscious about your breast size—and just imagine what life could be like without the pain and discomfort that large breast often bring. Dr. Moore offers reduction procedures that can provide outstanding aesthetic results.
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Initial Consultation
The most important part of your consultation will be determining the final breast size. You and Dr. Moore will decide on a size improvement, taking into consideration your overall body size and shape, as well as your pre-operative breast size. Discuss your preferences regarding breast width, height and projection.
To learn more about breast reduction surgery and what Dr. Moore can do for you, please contact us today for a FREE consultation.
What to Expect
Pre-Operative
Do not eat or drink after midnight on the evening before surgery (unless directed to take medications by your Patient Coordinator). Please shower the morning of your procedure, but do not apply deodorant, creams, lotions, powders or oil to your skin. Please do not wear jewelry or makeup, and do not bring valuables with you to surgery.
In most cases, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The surgery typically lasts three to four hours. An adult should escort you on the day of surgery and remain with you at home for the first 24 hours.
Day of Surgery
During the procedure, the breast tissue to remain with the nipple and areola is preserved, and the excess skin and breast tissue is removed. This is done in such a way as to preserve the best possible circulation to the nipple and areola and the smaller mound of breast beneath it. Flaps of skin are developed and used to wrap the breast tissue in a tighter envelope, thus moving the nipple to a higher level on the chest and giving the breast its new contour.
Post-Operative
Afterward, you may sleep and rest in any comfortable position. Rest quietly for 24 hours following surgery; when you get up, do so slowly, as you may feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Even though you will be up and about in a day or two, it is important that you limit your activity for optimal recovery. You should avoid any heavy lifting, pushing or pulling for four to six weeks. Though some stretching exercises and walking should be fine by the end of the first week, you should not plan to engage in any vigorous exercise for six weeks, as this can stress the incisions and lead to complications such as delayed wound healing or prominent scars. You should also avoid sexual activity for a week; hormonal stimulation may make your breasts swell and lead to increased pain.
The first menstrual cycle may bring more swelling and pain than is usual for you. You may experience random shooting-type pains for several months following the operation, as well as numbness in the nipples and breast skin for the first six to eight weeks, due to the swelling of the breast. This should subside with time, although in unusual cases, the loss of sensation is permanent. Scars will reach their optimal appearance after a year or two. In addition, the immediate appearance of the breasts will change over time. In addition to decreasing slightly in size as the swelling subsides, they will also descend a bit as the effects of gravity act on the newly tightened skin envelope. Most patients find this to be beneficial, since the breasts look more natural after they have had time to "settle in."
Risks
Risks of complications are quite low but do exist. Problems include infection, bleeding and potential reaction to the anesthetic or sedative medications. There is a possibility of experiencing temporary or permanent altered sensations, including numbness. On rare occasions, the nipple and areola may lose their blood supply, and the tissue will die. However, if this happens, the nipple and areola can be rebuilt. As expected, the scarring will take some time to completely heal and fade. If the scarring does not fade, corrections can be made.
Before long, you will enjoy a new, pleasing shape, with breasts in better proportion to your figure.
Insurance
Most health insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures. In some instances, if you attempt to secure insurance reimbursement for cosmetic procedures, your insurance company may view it as fraud.
Costs
Your Patient Coordinator will provide you with a detailed, written estimate of fees for your procedure when you have your initial consultation at Cool Springs Plastic Surgery. Your "Estimate of Surgical Fees" will include: implants, surgeon's fee, operating room and the anesthesiologist's fee.
Helpful Links
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons – Breast Reduction
- The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery – Breast Reduction
