Breast reduction surgery or reduction mammoplasty is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce breast size by removing excess skin, tissue, and fat from a woman’s breast. Patients with breasts too large for their body choose to have a breast reduction for relief from discomfort and to achieve a bust line more proportionate to their overall physique. Other common symptoms for women who have oversized breasts are irritating indentations from bra straps; back, shoulder or neck pain; skeletal deformities, and breathing problems.
Patients who have had reduction mammoplasty enjoy smaller, lighter breasts with better symmetry. Their breasts have a more pleasing contour and are in the correct proportion to the rest of their body. Reducing the size of their breasts allows the patient’s body to provide them greater support.
If you are considering breast reduction surgery, we would love to talk with you. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss has extensive experience in breast surgeries including breast reduction for residents of the greater Chicago area.
To schedule a consultation at our Orland Park surgery center, call 815-806-9400 or contact us today.
Preparations for Breast Reduction Surgery
Dr. Dreyfuss will likely address the following during your consultation:
- Evaluate your medical history and general health
- Discuss what you can expect from the results
- Deliver a detailed description of the surgery, its risks and its benefits, and possible complications like scarring and possible loss of sensation
- Measure your breasts
- Take photos of your breasts for your file
- Explain the anesthesia
Before surgery, you may be asked to:
- Have certain lab tests performed
- Have a baseline mammogram
- Quit smoking for a specific amount of time before and after surgery
- Refrain from anti-inflammatories like aspirin, ibuprofen, and herbal supplements to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Come prepared for your consultation, ready to voice your concerns, and ask questions. You will also need to make arrangements to have a responsible adult accompany you to the surgery center to help you home and look after you for a day or two.
Having Breast Reduction Surgery
Dr. Dreyfuss performs breast reduction surgery for Chicago residents at our cosmetic surgery center in Orland Park. He employs two different techniques which are dependant on the amount of tissue he needs to remove to attain optimal results. They are:
Dr. Dreyfuss will complete a vertical-short scar reduction for women whose breasts are only moderately oversized and don’t need a significant amount of tissue removed. He makes the incision around the areola and straight down the lower breast area, resembling a lollipop. There are no horizontal incisions made during this type of reduction, which reduces the scar length by as much as 50%. This technique delivers a round, natural outcome.
This technique is for those women who require the removal of significant breast tissue. Dr. Dreyfuss performs an anchor-shaped incision around the areola, straight down and then horizontally along the breast crease.
With either technique, Dr. Dreyfuss may choose to employ liposuction to remove excess fat from the armpit areas closest to the breasts.
Breast Reduction Recovery
After reduction mammaplasty, our surgical team will observe and care for you in a recovery room. You may have tiny tubes inserted in the incision areas to allow excess fluids to drain. Dressings will be placed on your breasts, and then we apply a compression garment for support.
After a few hours of observation, you will go home with the help of a responsible adult you brought with you. Once home, make sure you have ice packs prepared to reduce swelling and minimize pain. Also, have a designated area where you can rest comfortably and reach for everything you need, like pain meds, books, and remote control. Try to relax and sleep with your head elevated, propped up by pillows.
Plan to take at least a week off from work. Some patients will require a more extended period as each patient’s body heals differently. We will schedule follow up appointments to check your incisions and monitor your healing.
You should plan to avoid physical activity for at least a month. Dr. Dreyfuss will assess your progress in recovery and let you know when it’s okay to resume exercise.
Breast Reduction Results
There are several benefits to having a breast reduction, which is aesthetic, functional, and emotional. You will look great and feel better once your incisions heal. Your breasts will be more consummate with the rest of your body, making you look fantastic and feel better about yourself. You will find it’s easier for you to find clothes that fit, get comfortable while relaxing or going to bed, and lead a more active lifestyle. Discomfort like back, neck, and shoulder pain should subside, and you will enjoy more confidence in your appearance, improving your self-esteem.
Next Step
For residents of Chicago and the surrounding communities, Dr. Dreyfuss offers breast reduction surgery as well as other cosmetic procedures, surgical and non-surgical. If you are considering a breast reduction and would like to know if this procedure is right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Call 815-806-9400 or Contact Us Today.
Breast Reduction FAQs
During the procedure, you will feel no pain or discomfort. There may be some mild pain in the incision areas after surgery. We recommend taking the pain meds as prescribed for several hours after surgery to get ahead of any discomfort you may experience. Then after a day or two, take only as necessary. Ice packs will also help to relieve pain as well as inflammation.
Like all surgical procedures, a breast reduction will have certain risks associated with it. These potential complications are the main reason to consider only plastic surgeons who are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This qualification will ensure a highly educated and properly trained professional with extensive experience in the procedure. Risks include:
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Poor results
- Loss of sensitivity
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia
There will be visible results immediately, with improvement as the swelling subsides. Expect to enjoy your full aesthetic results after six months to a year. Discomfort caused by large breast will subside soon after leaving the hospital.
Reduction mammoplasty, or breast reduction, is a surgical procedure to reduce the size and reshape the breasts to achieve a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Candidates for reduction mammoplasty typically experience physical discomfort, such as neck, back, and shoulder pain, because of excessive breast size and weight. Ideal candidates have realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcomes and are in good overall health.
A breast reduction can relieve physical symptoms associated with large breasts, improve body proportions, and enhance self-confidence. Results may include a more balanced breast size, improved breast shape, and discomfort alleviation.
During a breast reduction, excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed through carefully placed incisions. The remaining breast tissue is reshaped and lifted to achieve a more youthful and proportionate appearance.
Yes, a breast reduction is typically performed under general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
Recovery from breast reduction involves swelling, bruising, and some discomfort, which gradually improves over several weeks. Most patients can resume normal activities within two to three weeks, although strenuous exercise should be avoided for a few weeks longer.
While incisions are strategically placed to minimize visibility, some scarring is inevitable with any surgical procedure. However, scars typically fade and can be concealed with clothing and undergarments.
The results of a breast reduction are long-lasting but may be affected by factors, such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and aging. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle can help prolong surgery results.
Preparing for breast reduction surgery may involve obtaining medical clearance, discontinuing certain medications, and arranging post-operative care and support. Dr. Dreyfuss will provide you with specific instructions tailored to your needs.
There is no specific age requirement for reduction mammoplasty, as candidacy is based on individual factors like breast size, physical symptoms, and aesthetic goals. Dr. Dreyfuss will assess your suitability for surgery during your consultation.
Breast reduction may be covered by insurance if it is deemed medically necessary to alleviate physical symptoms associated with large breasts. Dr. Dreyfuss’s office can assist you in determining insurance coverage and financing options.
Learn More
If you want to find out if you’re a good candidate for Breast Reduction or to learn more about the procedure please reach out to Dr. Dreyfuss.
Contact Us Today!