BREAST REDUCTION

WHAT IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

This surgery will reduce the size of a woman's breasts. It will also reshape them, but this is not its main purpose. If you wish to reshape your breasts, you should consider a mastopexy.

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES?

Most women who desire breast reduction have other symptoms in addition to their large breast size. These symptoms include back, shoulder, and neck pain. Surgery is performed to relieve these symptoms.

HOW IS THE SURGERY DONE?

This surgery is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia.

Most patients spend one night in the hospital after the surgery.

WHAT ABOUT DISCOMFORT AND RISKS?

Breast reduction surgery is not cosmetic. The incisions leave scars which may be quite noticeable. Other risks include bleeding, infection, loss of nipple sensation, and inability to breast-feed. All of these risks are not common.

Pain from this surgery is easily controlled with pain pills.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

After breast reduction surgery, your breasts will be smaller, but swollen. This means that the size and shape of your breasts will continue to change over time, usually about six months to one year.

Most patients report an improvement in their symptoms of back and neck pain.

WHAT IS THE COST?

The cost of this surgery is often covered by your health insurance, depending upon your plan. This is because the surgery is performed to relieve symptoms.

What are the newest developments in breast reduction surgery?

Liposuction has become a useful tool in shaping breasts during surgery. Occasionally, the length of an incision can be lessened using this technique. Sometimes, this surgery can even be done as an outpatient using only liposuction, which reduces the amount of scarring from the procedure.