If you’re considering a breast reduction, you likely have many questions about what the procedure entails. In this blog post, we’ll explore every aspect of breast reduction surgery, from preparation to recovery, to help you understand the process and what to expect. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, giving you the confidence to take the next step toward achieving your aesthetic goals.

During breast reduction surgery, excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed to make your breasts appear more proportionate to your body. This procedure improves physical appearance and alleviates discomfort like back pain, neck pain, and skin irritation. Let’s delve into the details of what happens during a breast reduction and the stages leading up to and following the surgery.

Introduction to Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery reduces the size and weight of large breasts. It is sought by women who experience physical discomfort, such as back and neck pain, or those who feel self-conscious about breast size. The surgery involves the removal of excess breast tissue to achieve a breast size harmonious with your body proportions.

Preparing for Breast Reduction Surgery

Preparation for breast reduction surgery begins with a consultation with Dr. Dreyfuss. During this consultation, Dr. David Dreyfuss will evaluate your medical history, discuss your goals, and conduct a physical examination. You may be asked to undergo a mammogram or other imaging tests to ensure your breast health. Additionally, you’ll receive detailed instructions on preparing for the surgery, including medication guidelines, smoking cessation, and fasting before the procedure.

Step-by-Step: The Breast Reduction Procedure

During the breast reduction procedure, you will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety. The surgery typically lasts two to four hours, depending on the case’s complexity. Dr. Dreyfuss will make incisions around the areola and down the breast, often in an anchor shape. Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed, and the remaining tissue is recontoured for a more natural and aesthetically pleasing breast contour. The nipple and areola are repositioned higher, for a more youthful appearance.

Techniques Used in Breast Reduction Surgery

Various techniques can be used in breast reduction surgery, depending on the patient’s anatomy and desired outcome. The most common techniques include the anchor, vertical, and periareolar (donut) methods. The anchor technique involves incisions around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast fold. The vertical technique, also known as the lollipop method, includes incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. The periareolar technique involves an incision only around the areola. Dr. Dreyfuss will choose the method that best suits your needs.

Anesthesia and Monitoring During Surgery

General anesthesia ensures you are asleep and pain-free throughout the procedure. An anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, to ensure your safety. The medical team will be vigilant in monitoring your condition from the start of the surgery until you wake up in the recovery room.

Post-Surgical Care: First Hours After Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be monitored as you wake up from anesthesia. You may feel groggy and experience some discomfort, which will be managed with pain medications. Your chest will be bandaged, and you may have small drainage tubes in place to prevent fluid buildup. You will receive instructions on how to care for your incisions, manage pain, and recognize signs of potential complications.

Recovery Process: What to Expect in the Following Weeks

The recovery process is different for each patient but usually involves several weeks of gradual healing. In the first few days, you must rest and limit physical activities. Swelling and bruising are common and will gradually subside. You will need to wear a supportive surgical bra to help reduce swelling and support your breasts as they heal. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Dreyfuss will be scheduled to monitor your progress and remove any stitches or drains.

Long-Term Outcomes of Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery offers long-term benefits, including relief from physical discomfort and an improved breast appearance. Most patients report a significant improvement in their quality of life, including increased confidence and the ability to engage in physical activities without discomfort. Scarring will fade over time, and the results are generally permanent, although changes in weight or pregnancy can affect the outcome.

Is Breast Reduction Right for You?

Breast reduction surgery may be right for you if you experience physical discomfort due to large breasts, have difficulty finding clothes that fit correctly, or feel self-conscious about your breast size. Having realistic expectations and understanding that while the surgery can provide significant improvements, it may not achieve perfection is essential. A thorough consultation with Dr. Dreyfuss will help determine if breast reduction is the right option for you.

Learn More About Breast Reduction in Chicago, IL

If you’re considering breast reduction surgery and want to learn more about the process, risks, and benefits, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Dreyfuss. His expertise and compassionate approach ensure you receive the highest quality care and achieve the best possible results.

Learn more about our services by visiting some of our favorite pages below:

By thoroughly understanding what happens during a breast reduction, you can decide whether this procedure is right for you. With Dr. Dreyfuss’s expertise and personalized care, you can achieve your desired comfort and aesthetic results.

Breast reduction is unique among plastic surgeries because it is one of the few that could be medically necessary. As a result, many health insurance policies offer coverage if breast reduction can relieve neck or back pain or resolve constant skin rashes due to friction from oversized breasts.

Of course, every health insurance company has criteria for what it will cover. Still, breast reduction outcomes commonly improve health concerns. Here are a few medical concerns breast reduction surgery addresses:

Suffering with Chronic Pain

Women who suffer from chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain because of overly large breasts are likely candidates for insurance coverage. Recurrent inflammatory conditions at the breast creases can also be considered an acceptable qualification.

These conditions must be documented by your primary care physician or medical professional who has cared for you. These physicians may need to submit a medical analysis to your insurance company recommending a breast reduction to relieve your symptoms. Insurance companies require documented proof that your chronic discomfort is due to significant breast tissue unrelated to skeletal or muscular problems.

Permanent Shoulder Indentations

Indentation on your shoulders from bra straps is a symptom of excessive breast weight. It is a common problem for women with oversized breasts to develop permanent shoulder grooves from their undergarment straps. This condition, especially combined with chronic pain, could qualify you for breast reduction coverage.

No Alternative Treatments Are Effective

Some health insurance policies require you to try alternative treatments. For example, they may expect you to prove that physical therapy, chiropractic sessions, and weight loss did not improve your symptoms. These options may help some women alleviate chronic discomfort caused by excessive breast volume, but with most, they prove unsuccessful. However, if proven unsuccessful, these alternatives can be used to help you qualify for a breast reduction.

Breast Tissue Must Be Removed

Most insurance policies require a specific amount of breast tissue removed to qualify for coverage. As a result, significant reductions are often covered, like a G cup to a C cup. Breast reductions that eliminate a minimum of 500 grams from each breast are often covered.

The amount of tissue varies between insurance companies, as some consider your height and weight for determining how much tissue should be removed. However, you should disregard limitations on volume removed to get coverage if you are unhappy with a smaller or larger breast size.

Getting Breast Reduction Covered

If you suffer from symptoms attributed to oversized breasts, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Dreyfuss and contact your insurance company. If your first request is denied, ask for an appeal. Women who undergo breast reduction for a medical necessity are typically delighted with the outcome. Breast reduction can solve many physical and cosmetic symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Are you a candidate for breast reduction to resolve medical issues? To learn about breast reduction surgery in Chicago and how to get relief from your overly large breasts, contact us today for a discreet consultation with Dr. Dreyfuss.

Are you struggling with breasts that are so large you suffer from daily neck, back, and shoulder pain? Do you also have stretched skin that can make your breasts appear flattened and deflated, even though they feel like they weigh a ton?

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss has helped women find relief from discomfort and enjoy a beautiful breast appearance by performing breast reduction surgery. If you are considering this procedure, please continue reading.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery?

Having breasts that are disproportionately large for your frame can cause physical and psychological discomfort, no matter how old you are. During your breast reduction consultation, Dr. Dreyfuss will ask questions to learn about your concerns and determine if the surgery will help. A breast reduction can resolve:

Chronic shoulder, neck, or back pain
Chafing and skin irritation underneath your breasts
Numbness or tingling in your hands and fingers caused by nerve compression
Poor self-esteem
Difficulty shopping for clothes and bras
Mobility issues

Through breast reduction surgery, you can achieve the body you have always wanted and enhance your quality of life. If you’ve committed to maintaining a healthy weight, you may be well-qualified for breast reduction surgery at our Orland Park Surgical Center.

Patients who smoke, are obese, or suffer from diabetes or heart problems are not ideal candidates for this operation. Also, if you plan to have children, you may want to postpone your procedure until after you finish growing your family.

What Causes Stretch Marks on Your Breasts?

Several factors can cause or increase your chance of developing stretch marks on your breasts.

Puberty: Hormonal changes accelerate breast tissue growth, which leads to skin stretching.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, your breasts start to grow as estrogen levels increase, promoting milk duct growth. This rapid expansion leads to stretch marks.
Weight fluctuation: When you gain weight, fat tissue increases, and vice versa. With age, collagen and elastin production decreases, resulting in a loss of skin elasticity.
Genetics: Researchers have identified a genetic link behind stretch mark development.

How to Eliminate Stretch Marks on Your Breasts

While you’ll have scars from your breast reduction surgery, they’ll fade over time. Dr. Dreyfuss’ ability to surgically remove your stretch marks depends on their location. You’ll find the best results with stretch marks on the underside of your breasts. On the breasts’ upper pole, breast reduction can tighten skin to make stretch marks less noticeable.

Are you a good candidate for a breast reduction to create a more appealing breast shape and position? To learn more about breast reduction surgery in Chicago and how to get relief from your overly large breasts, contact us today for a discreet consultation with Dr. Dreyfuss.

A breast reduction may be desirable for cosmetic reasons to enhance your body contours, or for health issues to reduce stress on the back and neck. Whatever your reasons, you should prepare your mind and body for the operation. Although there are definitely more than four things you can do to prepare for a breast reduction, we thought we would share the most critical with you here.

1. Get Pre-Surgery Testing

This preparation may include a breast exam, chest X-ray, blood tests, and gathering your medical records. Dr. Dreyfuss informs his patients what they should do before he agrees to the operation. This information will allow him to create a surgical plan that is both effective and safe. For instance, a mammogram provides a baseline for future breast exams to detect any changes that may occur.

2. Prepare Yourself Physically and Mentally

You should prepare yourself physically by eating right, exercising, and abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. You may have to stop taking certain medications or supplements as well. Also, prepare yourself mentally with a positive attitude for your results. This frame of mind may be bolstered during your breast reduction consultation.

Another thing to remember is to have the procedure for all the right reasons. You should be having a breast reduction for your personal goals and not for how someone else may think you should look. Realistic expectations are essential, so be sure to explore your expected outcomes thoroughly during your surgical consultation.

3. Prepare for Your Recovery

Needless to say, you will need to heal properly during your recovery. This process starts the second you leave the surgery center. Enlist someone responsible to drive you home after the operation and stay with you for at least the rest of the day if not overnight. Also, prepare a place in your home where you can be comfortable. Ensure your medications, books, and the remote is easily accessible, and you don’t have to venture far to get to the bathroom. Rest and sleep during recovery is critical to ensure the surgery is a success.

4. Choose the Right Surgeon

This tip may be the most important. You should choose a highly trained surgeon with extensive breast surgery experience who operates under the strictest ethical guidelines. Board-certified plastic surgeons are held to the highest standards in medicine, continually keeping abreast of the latest technologies and techniques for the safest, most effective procedures available.

The Best Surgeon in Chicago for a Breast Reduction

Are you looking for a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery? If yes, you need not look any further than Dr. David Dreyfuss. He feels his patients deserve the best in healthcare for safety and fantastic results. Contact him today to schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art facility in Orland Park.

Are your breasts a little too big? Large breasts can come with lots of downsides, but we have news for you! Breast Reduction Surgery is your option to rid yourself of chafing and rashes and give yourself perkier, more youthful-looking breasts!

Get your procedure! Contact us or call 1-(815)-806-9400 to schedule your consultation today.

If you have chronic back pain, restricted activity, and nerve pain due to large breasts, a breast reduction might be the solution for you. This procedure will not only make your life easier but will give you that extra boost of self-confidence!

Schedule your breast reduction consultation and see for yourself how life-changing this procedure can be.

When it comes to breast size, bigger isn’t always better. While the majority of breast surgeries focus on increasing breast size, some patients are seeking surgical intervention to reduce overly large breasts that may be interfering with their health, lifestyle, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

In this blog, we will be discussing the ideal candidate for this procedure, what they can expect from their results, and the physical and mental benefits they can enjoy.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery experience one or more of the following:

Have breasts that are too large for their body type
Have a breast size that is disproportionate to the rest of their figure
Experience neck and back pain from the excessive weight of their breasts
Have poor posture created by the excessive weight of their breasts
Have breasts that make it difficult to exercise and stay active
Suffer from bra strap irritation
Have breasts that make them feel self-conscious or emotionally unwell

At Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery, our breast reduction surgery goal is to help you achieve a breast size the is comfortable, healthy, and gives you an appearance you love and are confident in.

Expected Results

Breast reduction results in smaller, lifted breasts which are more manageable to carry physically and emotionally.

Results also include improved posture, relief from neck and back pain, more clothing choices, and the ability to move and exercise freely.

Sleep Better

Many women with oversized breasts complain about the difficulty of finding a comfortable sleeping position. This struggle can make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep and can affect the patient’s energy levels throughout the day. Additionally, searching for the best sleep position may cause stress on other parts of the body. Patients forced to sleep on their backs find it hard to breathe at times while opting for the side may irritate the shoulder or hip. Another consequence is experiencing sore joints while awake.

Improves Asthma Symptoms

Studies indicate that although rare, there can be some relief from asthma symptoms with breast reduction surgery. This improvement is caused by an increase in pulmonary function that results from an improvement in chest wall compliance after surgery.

Psychological Benefits

Although physical benefits are an important reason woman choose breast reduction surgery, there may be some psychological benefits as well. Patients often express a boost in self-confidence and self-assurance because of their improved contour and body image. The surgery can alleviate social anxiety and make socializing a more enjoyable experience.

Learn More

If you would like to have more information on the benefits of breast reduction surgery, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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Category: Breast Reduction