Breast Reduction
Women consider breast reductions with Dr. Kress for many reasons. Large, heavy breasts can cause breathing difficulties, back, neck and shoulder pain, poor posture, bra-strap indentations and chafing. They can also interfere with normal daily activities, exercise and finding clothes that fit attractively.
If you have excessively large breasts that make you self-conscious or create any of the problems listed above, a breast reduction can give you the freedom you’ve always dreamed of. Many women considering breast reduction also need a breast lift to create an improved, youthful contour.
About the Procedure
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Incisions are made around the pigmented area (the nipple-areolar complex) and extend vertically below the nipple and in the fold under the breast. The nipple-areolar complex is moved upward to the desired location. Excess breast tissue and skin are removed and re-contoured, and extra fat in the breasts can be removed through liposuction. The resulting scars are referred to as the “inverted T.”
Recovery Time
Most women are ready to return to work in 2 weeks, resuming vigorous physical activity in 6 weeks. Scars will fade in 6 to 18 months.
Results
Breast reductions create a more attractive breast contour, which is better proportioned for the patient’s body. You may enjoy freedom from health problems and the discomfort often associated with excessively large breasts. Most patients have an enhanced ability to exercise and participate in many more physical activities.
Costs
Starting at $8180.00 +
Breast Reduction FAQs
If I’m having pain in my neck, shoulder and back, why doesn’t my insurance pay for this?
More than a decade ago the insurance companies were paying for this procedure for a variety of reasons. Gradually they have changed the criteria so that very few people now qualify. Insurance companies generally will have a weight requirement stating that the patient must be near their ideal weight and that a specific amount of tissue must be removed. Both of these combine to disqualify nearly everyone; however, we will be happy to help you check with your insurance company.
Do I need to lose weight to have the reduction surgery?
Generally, you should be within twenty pounds of your “realistic weight”, although insurance companies will use insurance tables, which represent ideal weights and not realistic weights. A concern would be if you had the reduction mammoplasty and then went on to lose more than twenty pounds. This might reduce the volume or cause some sagging of the breasts, leading to a less than satisfactory result.
How bad are the scars?
Scars vary from one individual to the next. You are going to be able to judge—perhaps better than the surgeon—the type of scars that you form based on your previous experience and/or previous surgeries. In general, the circum-areolar scars and the vertical scars do quite well. The middle portion and the lateral portion of the infra-mammary scars (the crease beneath the breast) tend to be the most problematic. There are a number of treatments available for treating scars that may become problematic in these areas with the use of lasers, gel dressings and injections.
“My heavy breasts kept me from a lot of activities that I wanted to try. It was uncomfortable to run or do aerobics. I was sick of strapping myself in a heavy-duty bra all day and having bra marks on my shoulders. Breast reduction was the answer to my prayers.”
M.F. (age 20)
Patient
You...Only Better
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