Breast Reduction

A breast reduction brings immediate and dramatic reshaping to a woman's figure, along with relief from the discomforts of excessively large breasts. The result is a bustline with smaller, more attractively shaped breasts, in proportion to the body. In addition, a breast reduction in Kentucky can have significant emotional benefits, with many women wishing they had their surgery sooner.

At the Cosmetic Breast Center, women often have many questions about breast reduction that are best answered during a private consultation. You can request a consultation online or call 502.814.3001 to schedule your visit and learn more about this procedure.

Process

Usually lasting three to four hours, breast reduction surgery—reduction mammoplasty—is performed under general anesthesia, often as an outpatient procedure. Generally, the plastic surgeon makes a circular incision around the areola, a vertical incision to the breast fold and an incision that follows the contour of the breast fold. Following removal of excess tissue, fat and skin, the plastic surgeon brings the nipple and areola to their new position. Next he brings the skin from the both sides of breast together, around the areola, creating the new contour of the breast. The reduced breast size—and the precise method for accomplishing it—will have been thoroughly discussed and agreed upon between you and your plastic surgeon in advance.

After Breast Reduction Surgery

Some temporary swelling and bruising can be expected, along with numbness in the nipples and breast skin due to swelling. Medication prescribed by your Kentucky plastic surgeon will control discomfort felt during the first week or so following surgery. Expect to be up and about in a day or two, but not back to work for at least a week. Consider arranging for a friend or family member to drive you home after surgery, to stay with you for the first 24 hours, and possibly a day or so longer. Risks for breast reductions include infection, bleeding, skin loss, nipple loss or malposition, scarring, change or loss in nipple sensation and potentially an inability to breastfeed. The risks as they apply to your case, and what to do if symptoms appear, are discussed in detail before surgery.

ReCheck

You will have a follow-up appointment approximately 6 to 7 days after surgery.

Recovery

Recovery instructions tailored to each woman's surgery procedure and experience will be provided by our plastic surgeons. These instructions will be very detailed, including everything from the type of bra to be worn to when to return to work and how soon normal activities can be resumed. Heavy lifting, or pushing anything heavy, should be avoided for at least a month. Usually a return to work is possible in one week, with strenuous activity limited for one month or more. Fading of scars will occur over several months to a year.

Often Asked

Q. What will happen in my first appointment?

A. In addition to gathering your medical history, you and your plastic surgeon will be discussing your desired results of surgery, the options available to achieve those results and factors related to preparing for surgery, after surgery recovery and risks associated with the procedures. In discussing your expectations during your first visit, it is important to agree on the desirable size and shape for the new breasts, as each patient, and each plastic surgeon, has a different opinion. Your plastic surgeon will examine and measure your breasts, and discuss in detail the variables of the surgical options including repositioning the nipple/areola during the procedure. Anesthesia, where surgery will be performed and what, if any, guidelines your insurer has for the percent of tissue removal needed for coverage will also be discussed.

Q. Will health insurance pay for breast reduction surgery?

A. In many cases this procedure may be covered by insurance. Although Dr. Calobrace does not participate directly with any insurance company, Dr. Mizuguchi participates with Anthem and Humana providers. If you are covered by one of these companies, you will be responsible for your co-pay for the consultation visit, for any deductible you have with your insurance coverage, and for the percentage of your procedure that your insurance does not cover. If you are covered by any other insurance provider, we will be happy to file documents with your insurance company to help aid in reimbursement should you qualify, but you will be responsible for the full fees of your procedure. Please contact us for more information regarding insurance and your procedure at Cosmetic Breast Center.

Q. What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?

A. You may be asked to have a mammogram, and you will receive instructions for the days leading up to surgery including suggestions for eating, drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Typically, a blood transfusion is not part of a breast reduction procedure, but circumstances may exist where you will be advised to have a unit of blood drawn in advance. You'll need to arrange for transportation home after surgery and for in-home care from a responsible adult for a few days.

Your Next Step

To find out if you are a candidate for breast reduction in Kentucky, request a consultation online or call 502.814.3001 to schedule your visit to the Cosmetic Breast Center. The $50 consultation fee can be applied to any of the surgical or nonsurgical procedures we offer.