Did you ever wonder whether a breast reduction was right for your? If so, keep reading and learn if you could benefit from a breast reduction.
Breast Reduction basics:
A breast reduction or reduction mammaplasty is a surgical procedure to remove extra breast skin, breast tissue and breast fat to give you a better breast size and shape proportioned to your body type. Since all the hype seems to be centered on lager breast size, why should I think about getting smaller breasts?
Larger breasts can cause:
Back pain
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Grooves in shoulders from bra straps
Inability to exercise
Self consciousness about your breasts being too large.
Most commonly breasts become larger around puberty or after pregnancy. Specialty support bra can help temporarily with back and shoulder pain and weight loss can also help, but breast reduction surgery is performed when these temporary measures fail or when your breasts are just too large for your frame or when your breasts are not symmetric.
Initial consultation with Dr. Kole
Dr. Kole is board certified in plastic surgery and is qualified to assess and perform breast reduction surgery. Dr. Kole will take measurements, photographs and discuss the surgical procedure if you are a candidate.
In addition Dr. Kole will discuss:
Preoperative breast size and symptoms
Insurance eligibility for coverage
Risks, benefits, alternatives to surgery
Scarring and post operative size
It’s a good idea to look at some before and after photos of breast reduction surgery.
Pre approval from your insurance company can take several weeks time so you need to plan accordingly.
The Breast Reduction Surgery
The day of surgery, Dr. Kole will mark your breasts and determine how much breast tissue and fat needs to be removed and where the new nipple position will be. The blood supply and the nerve supply to the nipple will be kept intact to maintain nerve sensation. The areola size will be reduced. The general shape of the incisions for a breast reduction will be around the areola, vertically towards the breast fold and in the fold itself, the “anchor” scarring. These scars fade with time.
Your recovery after Breast Reduction Surgery
Your breasts will be sore, swollen and possibly bruised immediately after the breast reduction surgery. You will receive pain medication and antibiotics for several days from Dr. Kole. You will be placed in a support surgical bra until the swelling subsides. Your new breast shape being higher, fuller and not laying on you abdomen is visible immediately after surgery. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions by Dr. Kole.
Dr. Kole will be involved in your care directly from start to finish. The sutures will be removed at the one week mark. You will be able to resume normal activities at that point and be able to exercise at two weeks.
Satisfaction After Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast Reduction surgery has the highest satisfaction rate of all plastic surgery procedures. The relief from back, neck, and shoulder pain is almost immediate after surgery and your clothes will fit better and your body will be more proportionate with a breast size that fits your body.
