Breast Reduction Surgery in Chicago, Illinois
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Chicago Breast Reduction Plastic Surgeon

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What is a Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure which reduces the size, shape, and perhaps even the contour of your breasts. The medical term for this procedure is called “reduction mammoplasty.” Breast reduction procedures also usually comes along with the highest patient satisfaction as there is immediate relief from back, shoulder, and neck pain which is caused from having enlarged breasts.

Preparing for Surgery

Before undertaking breast reduction procedure, it is important to:

  • Discuss with a qualified surgeon on the possible outcome and risks involved
  • Get laboratory tests to evaluate your health condition
  • Stop smoking for at least two weeks prior to surgery since smoking interferes with the healing process
  • Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and herbal supplements. These drugs and supplements may increase bleeding during surgery.
  • Choose a surgeon you can trust

Breast Reduction Candidates

As with any surgical procedure, candidates must be in good mental and physical health.

While it is true that many women often desire to have larger breasts and breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States, it is also true that there are some women who have overly large breasts and can not live comfortably.

Large breasts can cause both health and emotional distress to women. A woman may consider breast reduction surgery if she has physical discomforts associated with overly large breast. These discomforts include backache, poor posture, neck pain, excessive sweating and skin infections under the breasts, inability to exercise and having grooves on the shoulders from bra straps. Common complaints from women with large breasts include finding it difficult to take part in sports, not able to wear fashionable clothes and psychological distress.

Common patients include women who want to maintain an active lifestyle, are in physical pain or discomfort, or simply want to improve their fit of their clothing.

Procedure Details

During breast reduction surgery, a surgeon makes incisions on the breast so as to remove the excess skin, fat and glandular tissues. Before making incisions, anesthesia is administered for comfort during surgery. After removing the excess fat and skin, the nipple is re-positioned and the underlying breast tissues is shaped, reduced and lifted. To close the incisions, sutures, surgical tape and skin adhesives are used to close the skin and support the newly shaped breasts. The incision lines are permanent but may fade away in some cases and significantly improve overtime.

Immediately after breast reduction surgery, gauze is placed over the closed incision and the entire breast is supported by a special surgical bra or wrapped using an elastic bandage.

Most women experience breast pain within the first few days while milder discomforts are expected for a week or longer. Swelling and bruising may last for several weeks. To reduce pain, the doctor will prescribe some pain relievers while swelling will be reduced by supporting the breast using a surgical bra.

After surgery, you will need to avoid vigorous activities and exercises for 3 to 4 weeks but you can resume your normal activities within a couple of weeks after breast reduction. After healing, incision scars will be visible but they will fade with time though they will not disappear completely.

Recovery

For the first 24 hours post-surgery, you will remain at our surgery center and will be closely monitored by our nurses and staff. We recommend that you notify a friend or family member to pick you up from the facility and take you back home. It is important that you remain lying on your back and have pillows for support on your back and arms. Also, be sure to keep your prescribed medications and take them as directed by you physician. This will help you throughout the healing process.

For the first 3 days, you will experience discomfort where your incisions were made. There also might be some bruising and swelling around the areola, this is normal.

After the first week, you will visit our Chicago based office to have your sutures and bandages removed. You will have to wear a surgical bra for the next 7 days. You can return to work after the first week.

Avoid all strenuous activity for the first 6 weeks. After the sixth week, you should be recovered from surgery. We will advise if you need additional time off of your normal activities, otherwise you can return to your normal exercise and clothing after the 6th week.

Potential Complications

The most common risks associated with reduction mammoplasty include:

  • Unevenly positioned breasts or nipples
  • Inability to breastfeed after surgical breast reduction. However depending with the type of reduction made, some women may still be able to breastfeed.
  • The surgical procedure leaves visible scars on the breast depending with the type of incision made.
  • Loss of feelings to the breasts or nipples which may last for a few months. Sometime depending with the professionalism of the surgeon, the nerves of the breasts may be tampered with leading to permanent loss of feelings to the breast.

Ready to start your journey to a new you? Visit Breast Implants Chicago today for your complimentary consultation. We would love to answer any questions concerns pertaining to the procedure you are interested in.

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