What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Your breasts should not keep you from enjoying the activities you love or cause you embarrassment. If you suffer from discomfort as a result of overly large breasts (macromastia) or feel self-conscious about your breasts, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao can relieve the burden while helping you to enjoy the beauty of your breasts through breast reduction. This aesthetic surgery at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery reduces excess breast tissue and skin to redefine and reshape the breasts to a smaller size. Breast reduction surgery also reshapes the size and location of nipples/areolas and repositions them so they are symmetrical with the new breast size. During breast reconstruction, the breasts are also lifted, resulting in a more youthful appearance. If overly breasts get in the way of your daily life and cause you pain, contact our Tucson, AZ office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Rao.
What are the benefits of breast reduction?
Overly large breasts can cause a number of physical and emotional problems in women. Breast reduction surgery removes excess tissue to relieve the pain associated with enlarged breasts. Patients often choose Dr. Rao for the following reasons:
- Expertise: Dr. Rao is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing successful breast procedures.
- Advanced tools: Our staff uses the latest tools and equipment to minimize scarring and maximize outcomes.
- Personalized care: Each breast procedure is tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
- Compassionate care: We offer complete support and guidance throughout the entire process.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR Breast reduction?
If any of the following problems apply to you, breast reduction surgery could be a solution:
- Have breasts that are overly large, uncomfortable, or painful
- Have back and neck pain, shoulder grooving, skin rashes, or posture problems
- Have difficulty finding clothing that fits well
- Your breasts interfere with daily life, work, exercise, and hobbies
All of these are valid motivations for seeking reduction mammoplasty (breast reduction surgery). This surgery is helpful for women who find it difficult to lead full, active lives due to the weight of their breasts.
Breast Reduction Reviews
WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE FOR breast reduction?
Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure. It is performed with general anesthesia and generally takes 3 – 4 hours to complete. The duration of the surgery is dependent upon a few factors, including the extent of the incisions, amount of sagging, and the size of the breasts. During your private consultation, all of these factors are addressed with Dr. Rao. Depending on the intricacy of the reduction, either an anchor or a vertical incision will be incorporated. The breast tissue will be strategically removed to reduce their weight and size. From there, the remaining tissue is lifted and reshaped for an aesthetically pleasing result. Although incisions are made on the breasts, care is taken to make the scarring as inconspicuous as possible.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH breast reduction?
After surgery, you will be observed closely in either a hospital or surgery center, depending on choices made prior to the procedure. Bandages are used to protect the surgery site along with a surgical compression garment. Your dressings will be removed during a follow-up appointment. You should expect to take 7 – 10 days off of work to heal properly and cease strenuous activities for about six weeks. After several weeks, the breasts will settle and the post-op effects will fade away. The vast majority of our patients at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery report that they feel much lighter and more reassured following this much-needed surgery. After breast reduction, you can buy the clothes you could not wear before and feel enthusiastic about your new look. You should attend your follow-up appointments so Dr. Rao can monitor your recovery and results as you heal.
Breast reduction FAQ
How much does breast reduction surgery cost?
The cost of your breast reduction surgery will be discussed with Dr. Rao during your consultation. Once he has developed your treatment plan, it will be easier to estimate your complete costs, including anesthesia fees, costs for the surgical facility, and more. Breast reduction surgery often brings about a significant improvement in a patient's quality of life so our team will help you find low-interest financing to make your treatment affordable. We can also help you work with your insurance company to see if they will cover some of your costs.
Will my insurance cover breast reduction?
Your health insurance may cover part of the cost of breast reduction surgery if it is deemed medically necessary. If you are considering using your insurance, tell Dr. Rao so he can help with your claim. You should talk to your insurance company to find out if your policy may cover the surgery and what they need to approve it. Your insurance will most likely decide based on measurements, like your height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area.
How successful is breast reduction surgery at relieving back and neck pain?
By removing excess breast tissue, Dr. Rao can eliminate the unnecessary stress on your neck and back while at the same time reshaping your breasts to give them a youthful and natural appearance. The satisfaction rate after breast reduction is extremely high as many women note that they are able to take part in normal activities that use to cause them discomfort.
Will my nipples be moved?
In most cases, the nipples and areola will be shifted up to a higher position on the breast during the surgery. The nipples will remain attached to the underlying breast tissue to maintain blood supply. Only in very rare cases are free-nipple grafts considered. Dr. Rao will choose a technique, like the anchor incision, so the nipple and areola can be moved higher on the breast. All of these options will be discussed during your consultation before Dr. Rao helps you decide on the best plan to achieve your goals.
Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?
Breast reduction surgery may affect your ability to breastfeed. While some women may still be able to breastfeed after a reduction, some cannot. It is difficult to predict whether your surgery will cause you problems with breastfeeding. For this reason, Dr. Rao recommends that patients be done having children or be willing to not breastfeed before having breast reduction surgery.
Can my breasts regrow after surgery?
After reduction surgery, your breasts can get bigger or smaller with significant weight changes. It's helpful to try to be at a healthy, stable weight before your surgery so you can more easily maintain your results. During your consultation, Dr. Rao will talk to you about the best ways to prepare for your surgery and what you should do after to ensure you are happy with your outcomes.
Smaller Breasts, Larger Life
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rao has helped countless women reclaim their health and lead a more engaging life with the positive impact of surgical breast reduction. During your first visit at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery, Dr. Rao will go over all of the options to reach your desired outcome and tailor a custom treatment plan to suit your needs. There is no need to continue living with the discomfort or lack of confidence that can sometimes accompany oversized breasts. Please call our practice in Tucson, AZ to understand more about this life-changing breast reduction surgery.
