Procedure Images

Breast Reduction

Breasts that are overly large are uncomfortable.  Just ask the woman who has suffered for half her life with back pain, neck pain, breast pain, embarrassment from stares, frustration of finding well fitting clothes.  She will tell you that excessively large breasts are not fun, no matter how fixated the US culture is with breast size, these women will trade anything to be relieved of their problem.  The most common statement I hear from patients with macromastia (excessively large breasts) is that they just want to be rid of them.  What size do they want?  Flat!!!  An “A” cup! 

 

Before Surgery

As with all aesthetic surgery consultations, you are there to learn about a procedure designed to improve a physical problem - in this case, reducing in size breasts that are too large and actually get in the way of living.  Macromastia frequently is the cause of an excessively sedentary life as these huge appendages are too painful to allow participation in sports of even the most sedate variety.  Removal of part of the breast tissue to a more normal size can relieve the shoulder grooving, neck spasms, back pain and breast pain that is the reason patients seek surgical assistance.

The techniques for breast reduction surgery vary considerably.  Most are based on the “anchor” design which is an incision around the areola, another vertically from the areola to the inframammary fold area there meeting a horizontal incision just above the inframammary fold.  This design looks roughly like a ship’s anchor.  The incisions allow the surgeon to remove excessive breast tissue from the top, left and right sides of each breast and then reposition the nipple/areola and its attached breast tissue at the appropriate height resulting in not only a smaller breast but one that is repositioned in the correct relation to the chest.  In other words, the breast is smaller and “lifted”.  As I said, there are many variations on this theme.

During the consultation you will need to decide just what size breast is right for you.  While many (most!) will initially say they want to be an “A” cup, in actuality this is not a good idea.  Women need their curves and the breasts contribute to the feminine look of a women.  Reduce the breasts to something that is proportionate to the rest of the body.  The pain from all areas is usually gone after surgery as the weight has been removed.

As in Mastopexy, the scar from surgery may be a concern and should be addressed at the initial consultation.  Many women who contemplate breast reduction are not particularly concerned about the scars because they would trade the pain for anything including scars.  Breast reduction scars will fade just as other scars on the breast do, usually within 12 – 18 months.

Prior to any aesthetic surgery, certain procedures must be done in preparation for the operation.  Lab tests, diet restrictions, physical examination, etc will be scheduled for you so that you are well prepared for your operation.

The Surgery

Patients for breast reduction are admitted the morning of surgery to the IAS Surgery Center.  A Board Certified Anesthesiologist will administer your anesthetic.  The time in the operating room will average 3 to 4.5 hours depending on the technique needed and the amount of tissue to be removed.  A local anesthetic will be injected into the tissue about the surgical area to assist with postoperative pain reduction or elimination.  All breast tissue removed must be sent (according to State law) to a pathologist for examination of the tissue.  At the end of the case, you will be transferred to the Recovery Room, there to awaken.

Post Surgery and Recovery

At The Institute for Aesthetic Surgery most of the patients who have breast reduction elect to stay for a day or two in the Hospitality Suite.  There they will have a caregiver who will assist them through the postoperative discomfort that occurs on the first day.  Most patients who choose to stay in the Hospitality Suite report that it was the best decision they could have made.  Breast reduction patients do have some pain during the afternoon of the day of surgery on into the night and next morning.  Most of the acute discomfort is gone or at least tolerable by noon the next day.  You will be supplied with prescriptions for pain and antibiotics prior to surgery.

When you are released to return to your home, remember, you must restrict your activities significantly.  When you schedule your surgery, you are given two pages of instructions.  Make sure you follow these instructions exactly.

Risks & Complications

This is a surgical procedure and therefore complications may occur.  I can’t imagine how many times I have said this to patients during the consultation.  Frequently about this time, a glaze comes over the eyes and the patient “tunes out”.  Risks of surgery and possible complications are not the most pleasant thoughts when you are excited about getting your new look but my advice, pay attention.  The cause of a complication may not be something done at surgery, but rather something you inadvertently do in the postop period.  Simply reaching over your head to get something out of the cupboard in the early postop period can stretch the tissue in the area of the operation which can cause bleeding or a hematoma that sets off a string of complications.  The list of usual complications and their causes are covered in detail at the initial consultation so listen attentively.

The Cost

When budgeting for breast implant surgery, remember there is the fee for the surgeon, the cost of the surgery facility and the fee for the anesthesiologist.  There are miscellaneous other costs such as lab tests, medications, preop physical, postop bras, etc.  Once you are seen in consult and all factors evaluated, a final cost will be quoted for you.  If you would like to get a general range of fees, please call the office at 404-252-3672 and ask for the patient coordinator as she will be able to ascertain your general needs and give you a baseline average cost.

 

 

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