Breast Reduction Plano

Breast reduction or reduction mammaplasty is a procedure commonly sought by women because of the functional problems associated with large breasts. Common problems that may be the result of large breasts are back, neck, and shoulder pain. Another common complaint is painful grooving of the skin on the shoulders caused by bra straps. Some women may also develop rashes or blistering in the area beneath their breasts secondary to the moisture that occurs in this skin fold.

These types of complaints along with the ability to remove an adequate amount of tissue are the criteria that insurance companies require in order for this procedure to be performed. The process for approval by your insurance company involves a careful history and physical examination, measurements, and pictures obtained by the plastic surgeon. This data along with the plastic surgeon’s estimate of the amount of tissue to be removed is submitted to the insurance company for their review. The process of review can take anywhere from two to six weeks. Some insurance companies have completely excluded breast reduction from their coverage and will not even review the material obtained by your surgeon.

Technique

Breast reduction involves an incision that encircles the areola, a second incision that extends vertically from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold and then a third incision that lays in the inframammary fold in a horizontal direction. The procedure typically takes four or five hours to perform. It usually involves a night spent in the hospital that is covered by insurance if the procedure has been approved. Two drains are placed in the breasts at the time of operation but typically come out the following day prior to the patients discharge from the hospital.

After the Surgery

It is important for patients to remember that a breast reduction is performed to resolve functional problems such as back, neck, and shoulder pain. There is a significant amount of scarring associated with a reduction and the patient must have an appreciation of this prior to undergoing the procedure. As plastic surgeons we always try to obtain the most aesthetically pleasing result we can, but the procedure always involves scarring on the breasts. Other risks associated with reduction mammaplasty include loss of nipple sensation, loss of ability to breastfeed, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, and in worse case scenarios loss of a portion or the entire nipple areola complex.

The feedback we receive from patients is that this procedure usually involves a very tolerable amount of pain.

Those who undergo the procedure typically can return to light activities within three to five days of the operation. We recommend that patients not return to strenuous activity such as heavy lifting and exercise for approximately three weeks after surgery. We encourage patients to wear a supportive bra for the first several weeks after surgery as much as possible. When the incisions have healed, we also provide patients with directions for conservative scar management to help minimize the resultant scars.

Consultation

Reduction mammaplasty is a very rewarding procedure to perform as a majority of patients view it as a positive, life changing event. Dr. Perry would be glad to answer any questions you may have about breast reduction.