Breast Reduction

Breast reduction, otherwise known as Reduction Mammoplasty, is a reconstructive procedure performed to reduce the size of the breasts. Breast reduction reshapes your breasts and makes them smaller, lighter and firmer. It removes excess breast glandular tissue, fat and skin to give you improved body proportions and to alleviate the discomfort associated with excessively large breasts. Women requesting breast reduction do so to eliminate physical pain as well as emotional and social anxiety associated with overly large breasts. Women who take advantage of breast reduction procedure find that they are able to lead a healthier, more comfortable life, improve exercise capacity in addition to obtaining a more proportional appearance. According to patients who underwent this procedure, breast reduction is the most gratifying and satisfying procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Some breast reduction procedures, when performed to relieve medical symptoms, are covered by health insurance plans. Individual evaluation and pre-certification is required to know for fact if your insurance is going to cover your procedure.

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Q: Why Should I Consider Breast Reduction?

• To reduce back, neck or shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts.
• To reduce and reshape sagging breasts.
• To improve overall body proportions.
• To improve your ability to live a physically active lifestyle and remove the unnecessary weight burden.
• To alleviate pain from bra straps and treat rash under the breasts.

Q: How is Breast Reduction Performed?

Dr. Rayham performs breast reduction procedures in the hospital or ambulatory surgery settings in Manhattan/NYC, Brooklyn or Staten Island, New York. This procedure generally lasts from one and a half to three hours with the patient under a general anesthesia and asleep. You will go home the day of the operation, unless you have medical reasons to be observed in the hospital overnight.

There are several breast reduction techniques. They all fall into two main categories, Vertical scar and Traditional or “anchor”-shaped scar techniques. Technique often utilized by Dr. Rayham is a “vertical scar” or “lollipop” incision breast reduction. This approach allows reduction with a significant elevation of the breast. Main advantage of this technique is a relatively short vertical scar and absence of traditional incision under the breast. Majority of patients are candidates for this approach. Traditional incision breast reduction utilizes an “anchor”-shaped scar. It works well for very large breasts and is used mainly when large reduction is performed. Dr. Rayham often adds breast liposuction to the reduction to remove unwanted fatty tissue from the sides of the breasts and areas under the armpits and give your breasts a more refined contour. In either technique, the size of nipple-areolar complex is reduced and the areola is re-positioned to a higher location on the breast to give you a younger and better looking breasts.

Q: What Should I Anticipate After the Procedure?

Your procedure will usually last for about one and a half to three hours. Upon completion of your operation bandages or a bra will be placed to support your breasts in a desired position and minimize the movement of the breasts and resultant discomfort. You may experience some pain associated with the surgery which is usually controlled well with pain medications. Upon discharge you will have prescriptions for pain medication that you will take as needed, and antibiotics that you will need to take for several days to decrease chances of infection. You should avoid wearing a bra with an underwire for about six weeks, or until the healing has occurred, to prevent undue pressure onto the incisions or healing tissues. There are usually no sutures that need to be removed. Dr. Rayham encourages his patients to refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery. While complications are rare, Dr. Rayham will discuss the risks of your procedure with you prior to proceeding with surgery. If is important to be well-informed ahead of time. You can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given to you after surgery.

If you live in New York or nearby, you can either go home the day of your breast reduction procedure or stay overnight in the hospital. Sometimes your insurance plan will cover your overnight stay. Our out of town patients normally stay in New York, either in the hospital or in one of our recommended hotels, and can be driven home or fly home the next day following their postoperative check-up with Dr. Rayham.

Q: Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

You may be a candidate for breast reduction if you have any of the above concerns and if you are in overall good health to undergo an operation. Click here if you’d like to email Dr. Rayham with a question or a concern.

We also encourage you to call us toll free 1 866 435 5357 (1 866 435 5357) , or 1 877 Dr.Rayham (1 877 377 2492) to speak with Dr. Rayham or RR Plastix New York Plastic Surgery Center experienced office staff.