• 
  American Society
  of Plastic Surgery
• 
  American Society of
  Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• 
  American Association for Accreditation
  of Ambulatory Surgery Facility

SELECT A PROCEDURE: Breast Augmentation | Breast Reduction | Breast Lift

Breast Reduction in Salt Lake City, Utah

Breast reduction surgery is performed to reduce the overall size of the breasts and to elevate the nipple position. Some women will experience both shoulder and back pain by carrying an excessive amount of breast tissue. This can possibly hinder the ability to be active and hence result in a general increase in weight. A hygiene problem can also occur with maceration (irritation) of the underside of the large breasts rubbing on the chest and abdomen. It is also not unusual to have decrease sensibility (feeling) to the nipples because of stretching of the nerves going to the nipples.

A reduction mammoplasty is usually allowed by your insurance company but in the recent past it has become increasingly difficult to have this covered. Your insurance company may place arbitrary amounts of breast tissue that needs to be removed for them to allow coverage. This may restrict how a surgeon could provide you with the best result when the goal is the amount removed rather than the final appearance. If your insurance company denies coverage than you will be financially responsible for the surgery. Having a reduction mammoplasty may also interfere with future breast feeding. In patients who have undergone gastric bypass or a weight reduction procedure, then it is not uncommon to not only have large breasts but now they have become very droopy. Schedule an appointment for breast reduction in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

Surgery

In a reduction mammoplasty both skin and breast tissue is removed. The nipple is reduced and elevated to a more aesthetically acceptable position. The usual scars are located around the areola, vertically down to the inframammary fold where the breast meets the chest and horizontally along this fold. The nipple and areola is left attached to the underlying breast tissue so that the blood and nerve supply is maintained. Drains may also be used to assist in decreasing the postoperative accumulation of body fluids. If the breasts are excessively large, than the nipple and areola may have to be removed as a skin graft. This possibility will be discussed with you on your preoperative visit. On occasions liposuction may also be added to help decrease the amount of adipose (fat) tissue along the sides of the breasts.

Anesthesia The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, usually as an outpatient. The anesthesiologist and the surgical facility will bill separately for their services.

Duration of Surgery The operating time will vary depending on the patient and the extent of the procedure. Generally the time is 2 to 4 hours.

Before Surgery It is imperative that aspirin and ibuprofen or products containing aspirin not be taken at least 3 weeks prior to surgery. Also refrain from consuming any energy drinks and herbal supplements, as some may have an effect on increasing bleeding during the course of surgery. Remove all makeup and mascara from your eyelids. If you wear contacts lenses, it would be preferable that you wear glasses when you arrive to the surgery center. You should bathe well on the day of surgery prior to coming to the surgery center. It is okay to brush your teeth the morning of surgery.

Start taking Vitamin E, 2000 IU, daily for one week prior to surgery. A "sleep bra" will be provided for you.

Photographs Photographs are taken at the time of your consultation. These are important aids in the preparation of surgery and become a permanent part of your record. Post-surgical photographs are also taken. Schedule an appointment for breast reduction surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

After Surgery

Patients return home after the operation wearing a support bra. The bra helps to support the breasts to lessen discomfort. An Ace bandage may also be used to wrap the breasts postoperatively for further support. Your first postoperative visit will be at 3-4 days when the dressings are changed and the drains removed. The skin staples, if used, are also removed at this time and Steri Strips applied to the incision. The bra should be worn at all times for 2 weeks. After this time you may start using a soft "sleep" bra without underwire. A "sports bra" should not be used. You should not go braless for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. If the bra is too tight it may cause ulceration of the skin. Remove the bra immediately if the bra feels too tight or if it hurts.

You may shower 3-5 days after surgery. If you bathe do not allow the incisions to soak under water. You may remove the bra to shower or bathe. Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication.

Return to Normal Activity Most people return to their usual activities and to work approximately 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Strenuous sports and other activities should not be performed for 3 to 4 weeks. You may drive when driving does not cause pain, or when you are no longer taking pain medication. This usually takes 2-3 weeks.

Scars You should expect a scar around your areola, which usually is difficult to see once it has faded. Another scar extends from the 6 o'clock position of the areola to the point where the breast meets the chest. Another scar runs along the fold under the breast. The scars will fade with time. This usually takes 9 to 12 months. All scars are however permanent. The width, height and color of scars are unpredictable. Massaging the scars with Vitamin E oil after 2-3 weeks will also assist with the appearance of the scars. Silicone tape will also help in reducing the redness of the scars. Wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or greater when outside to protect the scars from sunlight during the healing process.

Pregnancy During pregnancy and after childbirth your breasts will get larger, as they would normally during pregnancy. Depending on the type of procedure that is right for you, it may not be possible to breast feed after breast reduction surgery. This may be directly due to the surgery or to changes in sensibility of the nipple after surgery. Any surgery on the breast can theoretically interfere with the ability to breast-feed.

Diminished Sensibility As with any surgical procedure, small sensory nerves to the skin surface may be cut when the incision is made or when skin is undermined. Portions of your breast will feel numb or have less than normal feeling. Although not common, the nerves to the nipple may be stretched or cut during the procedure resulting in a decrease or loss of sensibility of the nipple. The sensibility in these areas gradually returns, usually with 2 to 3 months as the nerve endings spontaneously heal. During the healing process the breast skin and/or nipples may become hypersensitive for a period of time. Some diminished sensibility of the skin and/or the nipple may last indefinitely.

Swelling Swelling of the breasts or any site following surgery is normal. During the first 1 to 2 weeks your breasts will feel and may look larger due to the swelling. The breast skin may also appear shiny due to the swelling. The swelling will start to subside after the second postoperative week. It may take as long as 2 months for the last bit of swelling to recede.

Complications

HEMATOMA A collection of blood in the area of surgery occurs in a small percentage of women. The body will absorb minimal bleeding. A larger collection may necessitate aspiration to drain the collection. Occasionally it will require additional surgery.

INFECTION This is uncommon but possible. We attempt to minimize this risk by giving intravenous antibiotics during the procedure and oral antibiotics after surgery. Most infections are mild and are treated with antibiotics. Occasionally a serious infection develops which may require additional surgery to treat.

ASYMMETRY Most women have breasts of slightly different size and or shape. If these differences exist prior to surgery they may remain different after surgery. Rarely, in spite of careful attention to detail, the breasts end up slightly different in size or shape. If this is not noted while you are in surgery, and poses a problem after healing, you may need a small procedure in the future to adjust the difference.

LOSS OF SKIN, BREAST TISSUE OR NIPPLE This is extremely rare. When it does occur it is usually the result of an infection that has grown out of control or possibly from smoking. This is another rare occurrence. The areas of loss are usually small and heal with conservative care.

MAMMOGRAPHY If you are at the age when mammography is indicated, a mammogram will be performed prior to breast reduction and approximately six months after to establish a new baseline against which future mammograms can be compared.

 

I mention these complications not to alarm or frighten you since the usual outcome after this surgery is quite favorable. The majority of patients are very satisfied. I present this information to you to fully educate you on the side effects, undesirable sequelae and complications no matter how remote they may be.

Schedule an appointment for breast reduction surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

Schedule an appointment for a breast reduction in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

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The best way to get more information on the procedure you are interested in is to schedule a consultaion. Click here to schedule a consultation, or fill out the form.

You may also call our SLC, UT office at
Telephone: (801) 743-0700
Fax: (801) 743-0701
for more information.

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