| Dr. Maurice Nahabedian 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 involves reducing the volume of a breast and modifying the shape and contour. It typically includes a "lift" as part of the operation. There are several methods by which breast reduction can be performed that include the traditional techniques in which the nipple areolar complex is carried on a pedicle of vascularized tissue or the technique in which the nipple areolar complex is detached and placed back on the breast as a graft. The specific technique will depend upon the breast size and volume.
Q. Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?
A. Good candidates for breast reduction include women with moderate to severe breast enlargement. Typically, these women are affected with back or neck pain, bra strap indentations, postural changes, and may have some limitations on their activities of daily living. These changes are often directly related to the size and weight of their breasts. Candidates should generally be in a good state of health with a stable weight. Women with multiple and serious medical disorders such as heart or pulmonary disease may be discouraged from proceeding. Women who use tobacco products are strongly encouraged to discontinue use of these products because of the increased risk of complications.
Q. What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?
A. The benefits of breast reduction are that women will almost always report that their back and neck pain have resolved, the bra strap indentations are much improved, and that they are better able to perform their normal activities. In general, these women are extremely happy with the decision to proceed with surgery and are very satisfied with the outcome. They frequently state that that they look and feel much better.
Q. What are the risks involved of breast reduction surgery?
A. The risks of breast reduction surgery are low and typically occur in less than 10% of women. These risks include but are not limited to bleeding, infection, and scar. The scars are typically around the nipple areolar complex, extend down the vertical midline, and extend along the base or inframammary fold. Other risks include loss of nipple sensation, inability or reduced ability to breast feed, fat necrosis or lumpiness of the breast, delayed healing, partial or total necrosis of the nipple and/or areola, and breast asymmetry. Secondary revisions to improve upon the scar or contour are sometimes considered and performed.
Q. What does breast reduction surgery involve?
A. Consideration for breast reduction requires a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. A pertinent history and physical examination (including breast measurements) is performed. Preauthorization from the insurance company is usually required. Insurance companies usually require that a minimum amount of breast tissue (typically 500 grams/breast) be removed. If a patient does not meet this requirement, the operation is considered cosmetic and the patient will be responsible for the associated costs. Preoperative laboratory studies and a mammogram are almost always obtained. The operation is usually performed in an outpatient setting and usually takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete.
Q. What should one expect after breast reduction surgery?
A. Drainage tubes are placed and usually remain in place for 24 hours. The bandages are usually removed in the office the following day. Patients are almost always placed on oral antibiotics and narcotics for a few days following the surgery. Showering is permitted on postoperative day 3. Patients are told that they can drive when they are no longer taking narcotics and when they have full range of arm motion (usually about a week). Women are instructed to refrain from strenuous activities for 4 – 6 weeks to allow for optimal wound healing. Most women will return to work after a week or two.
Q. How much does a breast reduction cost?
A. The cost of breast reduction surgery is variable and will depend on the area or hospital in which it is performed and upon the surgeons’ fees. Most often, the cost of this procedure is covered by the insurance companies. If however, the operation is considered cosmetic, the patient will be responsible for the charges that can be about 8 or 9 thousand dollars. This number may or may not include the surgeons’ fee, anesthesia fee, hospital charges and operating room costs. For an exact figure, patients are encouraged to discuss this with the office staff.
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