Breast Reduction
If you are suffering from the effects of breasts that may be too large for your body frame, plastic surgeon Kevin Cook, MD offers advanced treatment that can reduce the size of the breasts with beautiful results. Women who have overly large breasts may experience physical discomfort, trouble while exercising, difficulty finding clothing that fits properly, or even suffer from severe pain. The physical side effects of oversized breasts may include strain to the back and neck, poor posture, skin irritation, and bra strap indentations. With breast reduction surgery (also known as reduction mammoplasty), Dr. Cook can improve your daily comfort and overall quality of life. After a breast reduction, you can enjoy a lighter and more proportionate bust.
What is a Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction is a plastic surgery procedure that can reduce the size and weight of large breasts to alleviate physical discomfort and create a more proportionate bust. It is also possible to improve breast symmetry, lift the breasts on the chest wall, and resize/reposition the areolae during breast reduction surgery.
Breast Reduction Benefits
Breast reduction offers a number of potential benefits, including:
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Decreasing breast size and volume for a more balanced silhouette
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Alleviating the pain and discomfort commonly associated with heavy breasts
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Exercising with greater ease
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Improving the fit of clothing
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Renewing confidence and reducing self-consciousness in social situations
Consultation and Candidates for Breast Reduction
One-on-one consultations are a time for Dr. Cook to carefully listen to and understand your individual concerns and desires. Dr. Cook’s aim is to fully inform you about your options, allowing you to make well-educated decisions in regard to your body and your health. Each breast reduction surgery can be custom-tailored to address your unique concerns and meet your expectations.
To determine if you are an ideal candidate for breast reduction, Dr. Cook will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and consider your goals. Many candidates for breast reduction surgery suffer from difficulties such as:
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Neck, back, and/or shoulder pain
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Deep lines or abrasions from bra straps
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Rashes under the breasts
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Difficulty engaging in physical activity due to breast discomfort or pain
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Chronic pain associated with overly large breasts
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Necessary physical therapy to counter the effects of overly large breasts
Breast Reduction Procedure and Techniques
Breast reduction surgery lasts approximately two to three hours, depending upon the extent of treatment. Along with removing excess breast tissue and skin, the size of the areolae can be reduced, the nipples repositioned, and the breasts recontoured and reshaped for the desired result. There are three major breast reduction techniques, allowing the procedure to be custom-tailored for the unique needs of the patient:
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Vertical Breast Reduction
This breast surgery technique uses a “lollipop” incision that begins around the areola and continues vertically downward toward the lower pole of the breast. Since there is no horizontal incision along the breast crease, the recovery period from this method of breast reduction may be reduced. However, the final outcome of breast reduction using the vertical technique may not be as dramatic as surgery performed with the wise pattern (full reduction) technique. Vertical breast reduction can be ideal for candidates with a moderate amount of excess breast tissue and minimal excess skin or nipple sagging (ptosis).
Wise Pattern Breast Reduction
This full reduction surgical technique uses an “anchor” incision around the areola and a vertical incision from the areola to the lower pole, continuing along the breast crease. The final shape resembles an upside down T or an anchor. The wise pattern method allows Dr. Cook to maximize the amount of excised breast tissue and skin, which can optimize the results of the procedure for patients who desire a dramatic reduction and lift.
Breast Reduction Using Liposuction
Liposuction techniques can be used to remove excess fatty tissue through very small incisions that leave minimal scarring. This technique can be used for women with smaller amounts of excess tissue or for men with gynecomastia (enlarged breasts). After liposuction, the skin ideally reforms to the newly sculpted shape of the breasts or chest. This technique is only a viable option for patients who have good skin elasticity and do not have issues with excess skin.
To discuss your concerns and goals with Dr. Cook, please contact Midland Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation today.
Breast Reduction Recovery and Results
After breast reduction surgery, many patients experience some soreness, bruising, or swelling. Post-operative discomfort can be easily alleviated with oral pain medication. Patients are instructed to wear a compression garment or sports bra in the weeks following the surgery. Dr. Cook also recommends abstaining from strenuous upper body exercise for about two to four weeks. Most patients return to their normal activities five to seven days after the procedure. Breast reduction patients can enjoy the physical and cosmetic benefits of lighter, smaller breasts, and they often experience a boost of confidence in their personal and professional lives.
Breast Reduction Scars
The appearance of your post-surgical scars will depend upon the technique that Dr. Cook used to accomplish your breast reduction—vertical, wise, or liposuction. Liposuction requires only small incisions, which can be easily hidden and leave minimal scarring. With the vertical and wise techniques, larger incisions are necessary, and scarring is generally more noticeable; however, Dr. Cook uses his surgical expertise to keep any incisions made within the areola and along the breast itself as inconspicuous as possible. As the incisions heal and scar tissue matures, the texture of the scars usually becomes smoother and the color becomes lighter.
Dr. Cook provides all patients with detailed post-operative instructions on how to properly care for scars and facilitate the best possible outcome. Some women opt to undergo laser scar reduction treatments to help further diminish any residual scarring. More often than not, Dr. Cook’s patients express that their scars are a very minor inconvenience compared to the burden and physical pain their large breasts were causing them.
Breast Reduction Cost
Each breast reduction surgery is highly customized according to the unique needs of the patient, which can cause the cost of the procedure to fluctuate. When calculating the fees for your breast reduction, Dr. Cook must consider several factors that determine the final price:
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The breast reduction techniques he will use
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The complexity of the procedure
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The amount of tissue that will be removed
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Anesthesiology fees
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Facility fees
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Post-surgical garments
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Post-surgical medications
At the end of your one-on-one consultation, Dr. Cook can provide you with an itemized cost quotation for your breast reduction surgery. Some patients may benefit from our plastic surgery financing options, which can offer qualified patients low monthly payments with little to no interest. To learn more about how you can finance your breast reduction with these options, please contact a member of our staff today.
Does Insurance Cover Breast Reduction?
If you are considering a breast reduction for medical reasons, your health insurance provider may cover the cost of the procedure. To qualify for coverage, each patient must meet the carrier’s unique requirements and show the long-term effects of overly large breasts. Dr. Cook will submit a letter to your insurance provider documenting your condition, including the estimated amount of excess breast tissue. Once pre-authorization is received, your breast reduction surgery can be scheduled.
