What are the goals of breast reduction?
-The breasts are reduced in size and lifted at the same (breast reduction also includes a breast lift).
-The areolas are reduced in size.
-In patients with fat excess on the sides of the chest, liposuction may need to be performed to smooth out that area.
Is Breast Reduction Painful?
Breast reduction is one of the least painful procedures in plastic surgery. Many patients have reported that did not have to take their pain medications or took them for a short time. In general, breast reduction is less painful than breast augmentation.
What should I expect during my consultation?
During your consultation, Dr. Grigoryants will perform a thorough examination and measurements of your breasts. He will discuss in detail the anticipated outcome, possible complications, and what to do to prepare for surgery.
What kind of anesthesia used for breast reduction?
Surgery is performed at an accredited surgical center. Anesthesia is general and administered by an experienced doctor anesthesiologist.
What is recovery like after a breast reduction?
You will have a small drainage tube the side of the breasts. Those will be removed the next day after surgery. Most patients return to work 6-7 days after surgery and can resume exercises 1 month after surgery. Dr. Grigoryants uses internal absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed. Within the next several weeks, most swelling and bruising will resolve. You will notice that the breasts assume a more natural shape over the first couple of months after surgery.
What breast reduction technique does Dr. Grigoryants use?
Many techniques have been used to perform breast reduction in Los Angeles including superomedial pedicle, inferior or inferior pedicle, and free nipple graft . Each of the techniques has its limitation and associated complications. Dr. Vladimir Grigoryants has used all the techniques in the past and finds that superomedial pedicle technique is the safest of all and allows to produce the best possible and predictable shape. The advantage of superomedial pedicle technique is that it eliminates the need to remove the nipple/areola complex and the breast is less likely to bottom out after surgery.
Can breast reduction be combined with other procedures?
Breast reduction can be combined with other procedures such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck, or labiaplasty in some patients.
Breast feeding after breast reduction
The chances of breast feeding after breast reduction may be decreased by fifty percent.
Is breast reduction covered by medical insurance ?
Most insurance companies cover breast reduction to the extent of the patient’s benefits when this procedure is performed for physical symptoms. Some of the common symptoms include back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, painful shoulder grooving, or painful kyphosis refractory to wide strap bras, pain medications, or exercises. Most insurance companies will require breast photographs, patient’s weight, height, and estimated weight of resection for preauthorization prior to breast reduction surgery.
Smoking and Breast Reduction
Patient are advised to stop smoking at least one month before and and one month after breast reduction. Smoking increases the chances of healing complications including skin necrosis, wound separation, prolonged healing, worse scarring, breast fat necrosis, and blood clot formation in the legs which can be life-threatening. Not much is known about the effects of e-cigarettes on healing yet and Dr. Grigoryants advises his patients against using e-cigarettes as well.
