Breast reduction is a kind of breast surgery that many women undergo for medical reasons, not just for cosmetic ones. In this post, we want to highlight some of the most common FAQs about the breast reduction procedure that we hear from our patients daily.
Breast reduction surgery reduces the size of a woman’s breasts so that they are more manageable and more proportional to her body. It is quite common to have a breast augmentation, but when a woman decides to have a breast reduction, there’s always someone saying: “Well, I wish I had larger breasts!”
Patients who decide to have a breast reduction often do not do it for cosmetic purposes. It may be associated with either self-esteem or pain. A lot of women who get a breast reduction are suffering from neck pain, tension headaches, and/or back pain. Their muscles are strained carrying the weight of the disproportionately large breasts.
At Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics, we get a lot of questions from patients considering breast reduction. Here are some of the most frequent FAQs.
Q: What Are the Benefits of the Breast Reduction Procedure?
A: The relief that patients experience after having breast reduction surgery is huge. Patients come back after surgery saying that they feel the difference, they feel the relief, and they don’t feel the pulling of the bra straps cutting through their skin.
Having breast reduction surgery addresses neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and your quality of sleep. Laying down with large breasts often causes discomfort because they can “smother” your face, making it hard to sleep. When excessively large breasts are reduced, it takes away the pain, you look better, you feel better, and it’s easier to exercise and stay fit.
Q: Is There Any Age Limit for Breast Reduction?
A: There are not really any breast reduction surgery age requirements and many women wait until later in life to have the surgery. Dr. Angelina Postoev has done the surgery on girls as young as 17 and 18 years old. As a teenager, excessively large breasts can become an issue for self-esteem because a lot of girls don’t want that kind of attention. They want to be able to play sports, they want to run and be active, and it is not possible with disproportionately large breasts. They wear several sports bras at a time trying to squish and maintain their breasts. They may even have to sleep in sports bras all the time.
There is no reason to wait to get breast reduction surgery. The huge variety of potential issues that come with having large breasts can dramatically affect young lives.. The surgery is safe and the recovery is relatively easy.
Q: Are There Breast Reduction Weight Requirements?
A: There are no strict weight requirements for breast reduction surgery. Dr. Angelina Postoev suggests optimizing your weight before the surgery. For women with excessively large breasts, it can be hard to achieve the optimal weight because they cannot do sports, and cannot run or jump like everyone else. To discuss your weight goals and eligibility for the breast reduction procedure, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Postoev.
Q: How do I Choose the Right Surgeon for Breast Reduction Surgery?
A: Finding the right surgeon may be challenging but it is important. You should look for a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in breast reduction surgery. Make sure you review plenty of before and after pictures and speak to the surgeon about your desired result. After the surgery, your breasts should look good with or without a bra, and your nipples should not point upward. The size change should be acceptable and proportional to your body and your liking. And the right surgeon will make you feel comfortable by listening to your needs and concerns (if any), and by answering any questions you might have before and after the surgery.
Q: What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used for Breast Reduction Surgery?
A: Dr. Angelina Postoev has a lot of experience in general surgery, trauma surgery, critical care surgery, and cosmetic surgery (she is a triple board certified cosmetic surgeon). She recommends having breast reduction surgery under general anesthesia. She explains the details in this video:
Breast reduction surgery takes at least two and a half hours, sometimes three and a half hours depending on the size of the breasts, the surgeon’s technique, and the amount of assistance the surgeon receives from his/her team during the procedure. As a general rule, anything longer than one and a half hours should be done under general anesthesia.
Q: Breast Reduction Scarring: What Type of Incisions are Used for Breast Reduction?
A: Breast reduction surgery and breast lift surgery usually have very similar incisions. However, different surgeons may use different techniques. If you are considering breast surgery, you should ask your surgeon very specific questions, such as: “What are my scars going to look like?”.
Q: When Can I Lift My Arms After Breast Reduction Surgery?
After undergoing breast reduction surgery your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with aftercare instructions that include activities that you should avoid. Lifting anything heavier than a half gallon of milk, strenuous exercise, and lifting your arms above your head are usually included in these instructions. Each patient will receive instructions based on their particular circumstances including, the extent and type of surgery they had. As a rule, most surgeons caution breast reduction patients not to lift their arms up above their head until at least 10 days post-surgery.
Q: Can A Breast Reduction Be Combined with A Breast Lift?
A: Breast reduction is often combined with a breast lift. Every patient has unique needs based on her individual circumstances that will be carefully discussed during your initial consultation with Dr. Angelina Postoev. Besides a breast lift and/or breast reduction, she might recommend other cosmetic procedures, such as body contouring or skin resurfacing.
Q: Is Recovery After A Breast Reduction Painful?
A Breast reduction is probably one of the easiest recoveries compared to other cosmetic surgery procedures. Patients might be sore right after the surgery but normally, there is no severe pain. The standard pain management protocol is enough for about a couple of days after the surgery.“Breast Reduction Scarring and Recovery: What to Expect?” post explores recovery after the breast reduction surgery in detail.
Q. What Should I Wear After Breast Reduction Surgery
After breast reduction surgery, it is necessary to wear a special surgical bra or post-breast reduction bra that has been specifically designed to offer support, compression, and comfort to the breasts and the surgical site during your recovery. It is important to note that even your favorite or best-fitting bra is not to be used as a substitution for this special garment.
Most patients are required to wear their post-surgical bra 24/7 unless showering for at least 6 weeks.
You should wear loose clothing that is comfortable and easy to put on while recovering as you may be sore for a few days and may experience a temporary decrease in your range of motion.
Q. Can You Breastfeed After A Breast Reduction?
Yes, many women have successfully breastfed their babies after having breast reduction surgery. If you have concerns about breastfeeding after a breast reduction, speak to your surgeon before the day of your surgery. The surgeon may alter the technique they use during the surgery to minimize the risk of interfering with future breastfeeding.
Q: How Can I Lose Belly Fat After A Breast Reduction?
After undergoing a breast reduction many women believe that their tummy looks larger than before their reduction surgery. Removing the disproportionately larger breasts does not change the size of the abdominal region, it just uncovers the area making it more noticeable.
The best way to lose belly fat after a breast reduction is through a low-calorie healthy diet and exercise program. Most patients are amazed at how much easier it is to exercise without the extra weight and volume.
Q. How to Get Your Insurance to Cover Breast Reduction Surgery?
A. The cost of a breast reduction at Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics ranges from $7,500 to $9,500 depending on a number of factors, and we do not accept insurance.
However, Dr. Angelina Postoev can refer you to a qualified surgeon who accepts insurance in cases when the surgery is a medical necessity. We explained it in detail in the “Does Medical Insurance Cover Breast Reduction Surgery?” post.
If you have questions about breast reduction surgery, contact Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics and Dr. Angelina Postoev. We offer free virtual consults to answer any questions you might have.
Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer breast reduction and other types of breast surgery to patients in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Buckhead, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia.
I have a friend who is considering breast reduction. Although part of her issue is a lot of pain, she is still concerned about the recovery period after the procedure. She is wondering if it will cause pain. Thank you for pointing out that breast reduction is very easy to get through recovery in regard to other types of surgery for cosmetic reasons. She is happy to not expect severe pain. Now she is excited to call a breast reduction surgeon.