Breast Reduction - Sinno Plastic Surgery

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If you feel that your large breasts make it difficult for you to pursue normal activities or cause you regular pain and discomfort, it may be a good time to explore the possibility of breast reduction surgery.

At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, we can help you get relief through a breast reduction procedure. We will guide you through the initial comprehensive consultation to your final, confidence-building results.

What is breast reduction?
When should breast reduction be done?
Who is a good candidate for breast reduction?
How is breast reduction done?
What results can you expect with breast reduction?
How can you prepare for your breast reduction?
What can you expect when you are healing?
How long will results last?
What are the possible side effects or risks?
Are there other procedures that could be done along with a breast reduction?
Will insurance pay for breast reduction?
Next steps…

WHAT IS BREAST REDUCTION?
Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of very large, heavy, hanging breasts. Breast reduction is usually done to provide relief for physical symptoms associated with large breasts.

Women generally choose breast reduction surgery for one or more of these reasons:

To make their breasts smaller
To balance their overall figure with a more proportioned breast size
To reduce or eliminate various medical problems caused by heavy breasts
To increase self-confidence by enhancing their appearance.

WHEN SHOULD BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY BE DONE?
Consider reducing the size of your breasts if you experience any of the following conditions:

Your overly large breasts make you feel self-conscious about your appearance.
Your breasts are out of proportion with the rest of your body.
Your heavy breasts cause medical problems. These may include:
Neck and back pain
Skin irritation or rashes
Difficulty breathing at times
Changes in your bone structure.
Your breast size limits your physical activities.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BREAST REDUCTION?

Your breasts need to be fully developed. Teenage girls may be considered for this procedure if their breasts are causing serious discomfort.
You are not breast-feeding or intending to breast feed.
You have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery.
You are in general good health.

HOW IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY DONE?
The operation is done at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia. It takes 4-5 hours to complete. You will be asleep throughout the procedure.

Incisions are made in the nipple-areola (the dark area around the nipple) complex, extending down below the nipple and into the fold under the breast. Excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed. A new breast shape is contoured and the nipple and areola are repositioned. Sutures (stitches) close the incision around the areola.

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WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT WITH BREAST REDUCTION?

Your breast reduction will create breasts which are smaller and have a more attractive shape.
Your body will look more proportioned.
You will experience freedom from the health problems you had due to your overly large breasts.
Your clothes will look better and fit better. (You may need to get new clothes for your changed figure.)
Many women report an increased sense of self-confidence and self-esteem after breast reduction surgery.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR BREAST REDUCTION?

Initial consultation
You will have a comprehensive consultation with the staff at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery that includes:

Discussion of your goals and expectations. Dr. Sinno will ask you how you want your breasts to look.
Examination and measurement of your breasts.
Photographing of your breasts for reference during surgery and processing of your insurance claim.
Discussion of where your nipple and areola will be positioned.
Discussion of potential risks and limitations.
Outline of how the surgery is done, anesthesia used for the procedure and what to expect .
Details about costs.
Answer any questions you have.

Be ready to provide the following information:

Complete medical history
List of medications you take, including use of aspirin and other over the counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements
Details about your tobacco and alcohol consumption

Before your surgery date:

Mammogram. You’ll need to get a breast x-ray (mammogram) before the surgery.
Prepare yourself. Dr. Sinno will give you specific instructions on eating, drinking, smoking, and taking vitamin supplements or using any medications before surgery.
Live right. The best way to prepare your body for any surgical procedure is to make healthy lifestyle choices in the weeks beforehand. If you prepare your body for surgery, your “back-to-normal time” is often reduced.
Exercise regularly.
Get adequate sleep.
Eat right.
Take vitamin supplements.
Reduce stress.
Depend on someone. Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. You may want to have someone help you at home for the first day or two of your recuperation.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHILE YOU ARE HEALING?

Right after surgery

Your breasts will be covered with a gauze dressing.
A surgical bra is placed over the dressing. The bra helps hold your newly contoured breasts in the right position.
A small tube—called a drain—may be slipped into each breast to help drain off excess fluids (a normal result of surgery) for several days. Staff at Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery will give you instructions on how to care for the drains.
Expect minor discomfort or pain. This will go away in a couple of days. You can take prescribed pain medication to manage it.
Sleep or lie only on your back the first week. Try to avoid sleeping on your side. Use pillows to elevate and support your head and back to help reduce breast swelling.

Pain, loss of sensation

You may experience random shooting pains for a few months. These will eventually stop.
During your first period after surgery, your breasts may swell and hurt.
You will lose some feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by swelling after surgery. This usually fades within 6-8 weeks, or in some cases, within a year or so.

Getting better

The gauze dressing will be removed 1-2 days after surgery.
Stitches are usually the absorbable kind. The stitches around the areola may be removed 7-10 days after surgery.
Use moisturizer several times a day if you have very dry skin after the procedure.
You can take a shower when you are ready, even with the drains in place. (Do not soak the drain areas under water.)

Wearing a bra
After surgery, you must wear a specialized elastic bra to help hold your breasts in the correct position.

Wear it at all times, even while sleeping, for the first three weeks.
You can take the elastic bra off while you shower or take a bath. Put it back on immediately after drying off.
If the elastic bra is too tight, be sure to call us at Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery. Pinching bras can cause skin problems.
After three weeks, you may sleep without the bra.
You should not go braless—except while sleeping—for 4-6 weeks after the surgery.
You will probably be more comfortable wearing a bra without an underwire while you are healing.

Getting back to normal

You can get up and around 1-2 days after surgery.
You can go back to work and resume your regular routine within 2 weeks.
Avoid lifting or pushing heavy objects, strenuous activity and exercise for at least a month.
Hold off on having sex for at least a week. Sexual arousal can cause your incisions to swell.
Treat your breasts very gently for at least 6 weeks. Be careful not to bump them.
Protect scars from sunlight for at least a year. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 (or higher), even under your bathing suit. Be extremely careful if your breast skin has reduced sensitivity.

What you might notice

Your breasts may heal at different rates. One may swell, one may feel less comfortable than the other, or the shapes may look different at first. When fully recovered, your breasts will look very similar and natural.
You may feel tired or “washed out” for several weeks. Listen to your body and only do what you can. Don’t push yourself.
You may see a small amount of fluid draining from your surgical incisions. Some crusting is normal. If you have bleeding or intense pain, call us at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery.
The skin of your breasts may appear temporarily shiny due to swelling. Within a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will return to normal.
Your breasts will probably ache occasionally for a few weeks.
People will probably notice your breast reduction. Reactions may vary. Be patient with people and allow yourself time to adjust to your new, and better, look.

Diet and Nutrition
Good diet and nutrition will help your body heal better, and faster, after a surgical procedure.

Drink plenty of water or clear fluids; up to 64 ounces a day is recommended.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal.
Eat small amounts of protein with every meal.
Eat every 4-5 hours; do not wait longer to eat.
Eat more frequent meals, with fewer calories per mea.
Eat breakfast within an hour after you get up
Use vitamin supplements, especially antioxidants, to promote healing and renew energy.

HOW LONG WILL RESULTS LAST?
Results of your breast reduction are permanent. Keep in mind that your breasts may eventually sag somewhat and the skin may change as you age.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OR RISKS?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for you can only be determined during your consultation with the doctor prior to the procedure.

You can reduce the chance of risk by closely following instructions provided by Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery before and after the procedure..

Sensation changes
You may have tingling, burning or shooting pains as your sensory nerves regenerate after surgery. These will eventually disappear. Try self-massage to alleviate the discomfort.

You also may experience some numbness in certain areas of your breast. Normal sensation will eventually return. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or breast skin after the procedure is rare.

Scars
Scars from breast reduction surgery are extensive and permanent. They may be lumpy, red or tender for months. Some women may be candidates for the vertical scar breast reduction ("Lollipop technique") where the scar in the crease is markedly reduced or eliminated. Gradually, your scars will fade to thin white lines. Dr. Sinno will make the surgical incisions so that when scars form (the healing of the incisions), you will still be able to wear a bathing suit and fairly low cut or open tops.

Uneven breasts
Very few women have even, or symmetrical, breasts. After surgery, you may still not have even breasts. After swelling subsides and you are fully recovered, your breasts will usually look more symmetrical.

Breast feeding
Breast reduction surgery techniques usually allow for some breast feeding after the procedure, but your milk production will probably be reduced.

Breast hardness, breast cancer
Reducing your breast size will not protect you from breast disease or cancer. Continue to get regular check ups and mammograms.

Surgery can sometimes cause scarring within your breast. The scars can make your breast feel hard in places. This is not cancer! If you are concerned about any hardness you feel in your breasts, talk with your doctor about getting a biopsy or mammogram.

ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT COULD BE DONE ALONG WITH A BREAST REDUCTION?
Liposuction is sometimes used around the breasts and under the arms to remove excess fat in those areas during the breast reduction process.

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR BREAST REDUCTION?
Breast reduction may be covered by insurance because it corrects a physical condition that affects your general health. Our staff at Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery will help you obtain pre-authorization for this procedure if you meet your insurance company's criteria.

NEXT STEPS . . .
To explore the possibility of breast reduction in more detail, contact the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery. We can answer your questions and schedule an appointment for you with Dr. Sinno. Dr. Sinno, will discuss your options and the results you can expect and answer any questions you may have.