Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is for women as well as men. Both men and women can experience uncomfortably large breasts and breast reduction surgery is a viable option to both alleviate physical pain associated with breast weight and restore confidence.

Do you suffer from chronic headaches, back pain and neck pain caused by carrying large breasts? You aren't alone. Many women have experienced an array of problems from carrying too much weight on their chest day in and day out. Breast reduction surgery is an extremely successful procedure in alleviating pain and strain caused by heavier than normal breasts.

Breast reduction surgery has been said to have the highest satisfaction rating of all plastic surgeries. You don't have to look far to find women online who say they wouldn't think twice about getting it again. The improved quality of life creates fast fans from breast reduction recipients. That's not to say that it's for everyone, but we hope this site will help you discover if it is right for you.

What is BreastReductionGuide.com?

BreastReductionGuide.com is designed as an online handbook to breast reduction surgery where you can find out if you might be a candidate for a breast reduction, read more about the surgery and even browse for a surgeon in your local area. Please feel free to use this site as a starting point as you learn more.

You will find the site is broken into sections covering the techniques of surgery, the recovery process and the costs of a breast reduction. As well, the site features a directory of surgeon's skilled in breast reduction surgery. This is provided to help connect you to a good surgeon in your area for a one-on-one consultation to find out if a breast reduction is right for you.

Who's a Candidate for a Breast Reduction?

A one on one consultation with a trained surgeon is the best way to find out if you're a candidate for a breast reduction, but here are some things that may make someone a good candidate:

• Breasts that are disproportionately large for the body
• Consistent pain in the head, neck, shoulders and back that comes from carrying extra weight on the chest
• Pain from brassiere straps that cut into the back and shoulders because of the weight the brassiere must support
• A desire to reduce the size of the breasts
• In men, breasts that are larger and more feminine than a typical male chest.

How does a breast reduction work?

Breast reduction surgery reduces the size of the breasts, but there are a variety of techniques are available based on each patient's unique needs.

In general, the surgeon will remove skin, fatty tissue and some glandular tissue from the breast to reduce the size. The nipple and areola are usually repositioned, but left connected to underlying tissue to maintain sensitivity and the ability to breast feed in the future. Sometimes the areola is reduced in size as well. After tissue removal and repositioning, the surgeon sutures the incision sites and then dresses the new wounds.

Healing from a breast reduction happens quickly and the patient may return to work after just one week. Strenuous work must be avoided for about four weeks and final results of the surgery take shape in the first month, but progress throughout the first year. Scarring is a result of the surgery and will always be visible, but if care is taken, the scars refine over time. Scars can be easily covered by a swimsuit and the patient will still be able to wear low cut dresses after a breast reduction.

Are men candidates for breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery isn't just for women. Many men benefit from it as well, especially men who have developed gynecomastia, a condition which typically develops during adolescence and leaves the man with more feminine-looking breasts. Unnecessary embarrassment and a lack of confidence may come along with this condition, but breast reduction surgery can offer corrections to this problem. Many men can be aided by simple liposuction-only breast reduction techniques. These techniques are less involved than techniques developed for women and usually only require very small incision lines to perform the liposuction. The surgery varies based on the amount of fatty tissue versus glandular tissue. Glandular tissue requires more invasive procedures to remove and correct, but is still a modest, out-patient process.

Men shouldn't be embarrassed or hesitate in contacting a surgeon to discuss a breast reduction. Many men think an undesirable chest is something they must live with, not realizing that a breast reduction is a very accessible way to reclaim their confidence and stop hiding their chests.

Is a breast reduction covered by insurance?

Because of the chronic pain that can be caused by extremely large breasts, breast reduction surgery is often covered by insurance. Large breasts, especially when drooping, can cause severe pain over time and headaches, back pain and neck pain are all associated problems. As well, large breasts can weigh heavier on brassieres, causing straps to cut into the shoulders and back. Breast reduction surgery can relieve many of these conditions. Because of this the majority of breast reduction procedures are covered by insurance as the health benefits outweigh the long-term health problems.

Meeting with a surgeon for a consultation is the first step in finding out if your need for a breast reduction will be covered by insurance. Many surgeons will assist in making a case with your insurance provider for the breast reduction. Each insurance provider is unique and your particular coverage details will be handled by them.

How can I learn more about breast reduction surgery?

This site is designed as a hand book to help you investigate breast reduction surgery and find out if it's right for you. Ultimately, a skilled surgeon is the only person who can tell you for sure whether you are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery and give you the details on exactly what surgery will look like for you. Setting up a one-on-one consultation with a real doctor is your first step. Browse the surgeon directory on this site to find an experienced breast reduction surgeon in your area. We want to help connect you to good surgeons in your area.

Breast Reduction

A breast reduction or a reduction mammoplasty is any surgery that reduces the size of the breasts by removing skin, fat and glandular tissue. In many cases, a breast reduction is performed to relieve chronic pain associated with extremely large breasts. While breast reductions attempt to leave breastfeeding function intact, the loss of this ability is a risk and most doctors recommend the surgery following having and nursing children. Because of the health problems a breast reduction can correct, many surgeries are covered by health insurance.

Breast Reduction Techniques

A variety of techniques exist when it comes to breast reductions and there is still some debate over which ones provide the best quality of life for the patient long term. Surgical techniques vary to accommodate the different challenges each set of breasts may offer. Some techniques are able to remove more tissue, but may leave more visible scarring. Other techniques tackle the challenge of protecting the connection of the nipple areolar complex to the tissue below so that both feeling and the ability to breast feed are left intact after surgery.

Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure with a modest recovery time.

It has been said that breast reduction surgery has the highest satisfaction rating following surgery of all forms of plastic surgery. Many say that the relief from pain and physical stress caused by extremely large breasts was well worth the time and recovery cost. Any surgery will have a process that includes an initial consultation, the surgery and then a recovery period.

Breast Reduction Costs

Cost is a consideration for any major surgery, but fortunately many breast reductions are covered by insurance due to the chronic pain that can come with oversized or pendulous breasts. Every insurance provider will have its own coverage guidelines and processes. Preparing for a breast reduction surgery will require personal investigation into both costs and insurance procedures.

Breast reduction costs are made up of a variety of expenses. Each of the following costs can vary and each should be considered when planning on the cost of a breast reduction.

• Breast Surgeon Fee - The surgeon's fee is the primary cost in any breast reduction. This is the fee the surgeon charges for the surgery itself and includes the time and consultation surrounding the surgery. A surgeon's fee will increase based on experience and the number of breast reductions performed.
• Facility Fee - Location of the surgery will vary by breast reduction surgeon. The breast reduction surgery can take place in a hospital-like environment, an outpatient surgery center or even a surgeon's private operating room. Each of these facilities can vary in fee, but a breast reduction surgeon will be able to give an exact cost at consultation. A facility fee generally costs between $500 and $1000.
• Anesthesia - Anesthesia fees vary based on local versus general anesthesia. The vast majority of breast reduction surgeries are performed with general anesthesia. Local anesthesia for breast reductions is less common, but sometimes used.
• Medication - Following surgery, the breast reduction surgeon will prescribe drugs to relieve any pain from surgery and antibiotics to prevent infection. Pain and discomfort are most associated with the first two days after surgery with it lessening over the next one to two weeks.
• Miscellaneous Costs Associated With Breast Reduction - Lifestyle and travel costs should also be considered when planning for a breast reduction. Travel to the consultation and to surgery could be a notable cost if the patient does not live close to a breast lift surgeon.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Following breast reduction surgery, the patient will need a driver to safely travel home. The first days after surgery will require lots of rest.

The breasts will be bruised and swollen and the surgeon will prescribe medication for pain and discomfort. The patient will need to continue to wear a surgical brassiere around the clock to prevent gravity from putting pressure on the sutures.

The breast reduction surgeon will want to meet the patient 24 to 72 hours after surgery. At this meeting the doctor can ensure that recovery is on the proper course. New dressing may be applied and any tiny drainage tubes that were used will be removed. The doctor can also answer any questions about further recovery from the breast reduction and what to expect going forward.

For the first two weeks after a breast reduction is very important to avoid any strain or physically strenuous activity. This includes sexual activity. The arms should not be raised above the head at all. Even if there is no pain in raising the arms, doing so could cause additional scarring under the arms. After the first week of recovery, swelling and bruising will subside and the patient may confidently return to work. She will still need to wear a 24-hour support bra and avoid strain.

During the third and fourth week of recovery, the breast reduction patient may begin to re-engage is some more physical activity. However, the patient should ultimately heed the advice of the breast reduction surgeon. At the end of the fourth week, the scarring will have subsided greatly and the long-term results of the surgery will be visible. Though, it will take six months to a year to see the final results of the breast reduction and the ultimate look of incision lines. Each patient heals differently, but following the doctor's guidelines is the best way to ensure proper healing with minimal complication.

A typical recovery timeline for a breast reduction looks like this:

• Day 1-2: The breasts are very bruised and swollen. The patient returns to the surgeon to replace dressing and remove any drainage tubes.
• Week 1-2: The patient may return to work after one week, but all physically strenuous activity must be avoided.
• Weeks 3-4: Swelling and bruising has subsided and the final look of the surgery begins to appear. Incision lines lighten considerably and the breast reduction patient may begin to return to more physical activities.
• Month 6-Year1: Final look of incision lines sets and the final shape of the breasts becomes clear.

BreastReductionGuide.com

BreastReductionGuide.com is designed as a reference for those interested in breast reduction surgery who want to learn more. The articles on this site will give insight into the surgical techniques, recovery process and costs associated with breast reduction surgery. As well, you can find a directory of breast reduction doctors in your area to contact about an initial consultation.