| Dr. David Kaufman is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Breast Reduction Surgery.
Q. What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
A. Breast reduction surgery is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of the breast gland and reshape it into a more aesthetic, youthful body feature. In the process the breast gland is reduced (to the degree the patient desires) and lifted, while the skin is appropriately reduced to compliment the reshaped breast mound. Often, the areola (dark skin surrounding the nipple) is also reduced in diameter to be in better proportion with the rest of the breast. The procedure takes about 3 hours and is usually done as an outpatient.
Q. Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?
A. Any healthy, non-smoker who feels her breasts are too large is a good candidate. People with neck pain, back pain, shoulder furrows, or rashes under the breasts are especially good candidates. Interestingly, breast reduction surgery has the highest degree of patient satisfaction of all surgeries that plastic surgeons perform.
Q. What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?
A. Neck and back pain is typically markedly reduced. Patients are able to buy bras off the rack, as opposed to going to specialty shops. Clothing fits better. People appear thinner. The benefits are usually spectacular.
Q. What are the risks involved of breast reduction surgery?
A. The risks of breast reduction are poor scarring, nipple sensitivity loss, asymmetry... as well as those associated with any procedure such as medication reactions, anesthesia complications, etc.
Q. What does breast reduction surgery involve?
A. The procedure takes about 3 hours and is done as an outpatient. Breast tissue is removed and the breast is lifted and reshaped. Sometimes patients opt to use implants with their lift/reduction because they confer a more youthful appearance to the breast by providing superior pole fullness.
Q. What should one expect after breast reduction surgery?
A. The procedure is very well tolerated by most patients and pain is relatively minimal. People feel good in a week - and most can go back to light activity/work at that time. Full activities are resumed at 6 weeks.
Q. How much does a breast reduction cost?
A. The fee for breast reduction ranges from $7k to $10k depending on the size and complexity of the procedure. That fee includes professional fee, operating room, and all associated visits. It does not include post-operative medications.
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