While breast augmentation continues to be one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the U.S., for some women, bigger is not necessarily better.
Whether you’re unhappy with the size of your breasts for purely aesthetic reasons or because their size is interfering with your mobility or causing back or shoulder pain, a breast reduction can permanently remove a significant amount of breast tissue and also lift and tighten the overall shape of the breast. For women in the Daytona Beach, Port Orange and Ormond Beach area, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Samson will explain the full procedure to you in your one on one consultation.
What is the surgery like?
Depending on the amount of breast tissue that is being removed, there are three main techniques that plastic surgeons generally use when performing a reduction.
For Daytona Beach patients who are only having a moderate amount of tissue removed, incisions are made in a circular pattern around the areola or in a key-shaped (or lollipop-shaped, depending on who you ask) pattern around the areola and down vertically down to the breast crease.
For Port Orange Plastic Surgery patients who are having a large amount of tissue removed, surgeons make three incisions — around the areola, down to the breast crease and along the breast crease — in an anchor shape, which allows them to remove a greater amount of breast tissue and skin. While the nipple is often able to be left in place with the first two techniques, it’s not uncommon for a surgeon to need to remove it in order to reposition it when the anchor technique is used.
While there is no such thing as a “scar-free” reduction, the scarring associated with these three techniques is considered to be minimal and is able to be totally covered by bras and bathing suits.
What’s the recovery period?
Daytona Beach Breast reduction is usually performed under general anesthesia but is most commonly an outpatient procedure. After an initial post-surgical observation, patients are able to go home but should have someone on-hand for a few days for support.
While everyone takes different amounts of time to fully recover, most women find they are able to return to their regularly scheduled programming within about two weeks of their operations.
Women who have more tissue removed generally find that their total recovery periods are longer than women who have a more moderate reduction, but all patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and bending over for extended periods for about four to six weeks.
What are some of the risks?
Breast reduction surgery carries many of the same risks as other types of surgery, including infection, poor wound healing, pain and discomfort in and around the surgical area and damage to nerves or blood vessels.
Some women experience a loss of sensitivity in the breast or nipple, particularly when the nipple needs to be repositioned, or have trouble breastfeeding after their breast reductions.
While scarring is generally able to be hidden and will fade over time, especially if it is properly cared for, there is some amount of scarring that should be expected regardless of the reduction technique a surgeon uses.
The best candidates for breast reductions are women who are generally healthy, have realistic expectations for the potential results of the procedure and do not smoke. As with any surgery, smoking can lead to complications with blood flow and dramatically affect the body’s ability to heal itself.
Is it really permanent?
Similar to other cosmetic procedures that remove fat or other tissue, such as liposuction or tummy tucks, the results of breast reduction surgery are permanent as long as a woman’s overall weight stays more or less consistent to the weight she was at the time of her surgery.
Women who become pregnant or gain weight after having a breast reduction might find that their breasts do gain some amount of volume, though should not expect their breasts to grow to anywhere near their pre-surgery size.
Is breast reduction covered by insurance?
Breast reduction procedures for purely cosmetic reasons are typically not covered by health insurance.
That said, many health insurance plans will provide at least some amount of coverage for women who are experiencing back or shoulder pain due to the weight of their breasts.
Cost of the procedure varies depending on the extent of the surgery, so if you are planning on going through your health insurance company you will want to know all your options to get as accurate a cost breakdown as you can. Most insurance companies require patients to get preauthorization for larger claims. In your one on one consultation with Dr. Samson, you will be provided with a complete list of fees associated with Breast Reduction surgery.
Do you have back pain from the size of your breasts? Do you find it difficult to excercise? Do your neck and shoulders hurt? If you answered yes to any of these, a Breast Reduction may help! Dr. Samson, a Daytona Beach area Plastic Surgeon, has perfomed thousands of Breast Reductions and can help you too!
No matter what your aesthetic, Samson Aesthetics offers a full range of cosmetic and plastic surgery services to clients in the Port Orange, Daytona Beach, and Ormond Beach area and help patients refresh their appearance with a variety of surgical and non surgical treatments.Visit us online at drsamson.comor call us at (386) 756-9400 to set up an appointment.
