IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Mytien Goldberg, MD, FACS • November 26, 2023

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MYTIEN GOLDBERG, MD, FACS

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IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Mytien Goldberg, MD, FACS • November 26, 2023

Today’s society is one in which we can never seem to get enough. Everything is bigger, better, faster, and stronger. But what happens when you are blessed with too much of a good thing? While many women desire an increase in breast size, there are those who feel uncomfortable with size of their breasts. If a woman has large breasts, she may be considering breast reduction surgery for many reasons. Aside from feeling more comfortable in their bras and clothing, breast reduction surgery can help alleviate any number of symptoms. Women with large breasts often suffer from chronic back and neck and shoulder pain, chronic rashes and skin irritation under the breasts, deep grooves in the shoulders from bra strap pressure, poor posture and restricted activity, as well as poor self-image due to large breasts. Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to help achieve a breast size that’s more proportionate to a woman’s body, as well as helping to alleviate the symptoms associated with overly large breasts.


So who is breast reduction surgery for?


Women of all ages have been known to have breast reduction surgery, even young women in their teens; however it’s strongly recommended that the patient wait until they are past the age of development. If a woman hasn’t started a family yet, or is still in the stages of family planning, it may be best for her to wait until pregnancy isn’t an issue yet, as pregnancy can change breast tissue. Results can be seen immediately, but it’s best to keep in mind that it can take months for the swelling to completely diminish and for the surgical scars to fade. For anyone considering breast reconstruction surgery, consult a Board Certified plastic surgeon. This is a very personalized procedure, and it’s
important to understand everything that breast reduction surgery encompasses, including possible risks and complications, as well as set realistic expectations.


I have insurance. Does that cover any of my procedure costs?


If a patient has a history of chronic conditions, such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, or chronic skin conditions such as rashes or skin irritation in the breast issue, having a breast reduction may be considered medically necessary and is covered by most insurance plans. If approved, this means the patient’s insurance would cover the cost of the surgeon’s fee, as well as the cost of the facility and anesthesiologist. This is something that should be discussed and documented during a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.


http://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction.html


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction-surgery/MY00778

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Today’s society is one in which we can never seem to get enough. Everything is bigger, better, faster, and stronger. But what happens when you are blessed with too much of a good thing? While many women desire an increase in breast size, there are those who feel uncomfortable with size of their breasts. If a woman has large breasts, she may be considering breast reduction surgery for many reasons. Aside from feeling more comfortable in their bras and clothing, breast reduction surgery can help alleviate any number of symptoms. Women with large breasts often suffer from chronic back and neck and shoulder pain, chronic rashes and skin irritation under the breasts, deep grooves in the shoulders from bra strap pressure, poor posture and restricted activity, as well as poor self-image due to large breasts. Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to help achieve a breast size that’s more proportionate to a woman’s body, as well as helping to alleviate the symptoms associated with overly large breasts. So who is breast reduction surgery for? Women of all ages have been known to have breast reduction surgery, even young women in their teens; however it’s strongly recommended that the patient wait until they are past the age of development. If a woman hasn’t started a family yet, or is still in the stages of family planning, it may be best for her to wait until pregnancy isn’t an issue yet, as pregnancy can change breast tissue. Results can be seen immediately, but it’s best to keep in mind that it can take months for the swelling to completely diminish and for the surgical scars to fade. For anyone considering breast reconstruction surgery, consult a Board Certified plastic surgeon. This is a very personalized procedure, and it’s important to understand everything that breast reduction surgery encompasses, including possible risks and complications, as well as set realistic expectations. I have insurance. Does that cover any of my procedure costs? If a patient has a history of chronic conditions, such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, or chronic skin conditions such as rashes or skin irritation in the breast issue, having a breast reduction may be considered medically necessary and is covered by most insurance plans. If approved, this means the patient’s insurance would cover the cost of the surgeon’s fee, as well as the cost of the facility and anesthesiologist. This is something that should be discussed and documented during a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction-surgery/MY00778
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Breast Reduction Surgery Breast reduction surgery is a surgical method of reducing the size of the breasts. A breast reduction procedure is most commonly performed for women who have breasts that are too large in relation to their body frame, women who have shoulder, neck or back problems caused by the weight of the breasts, women who are restricted from physical activity due to the size of the breasts, and for women whose breasts are large enough to cause body image and self-esteem issues. Breast reduction can attend to one or both breasts if they are disproportional or if they differ in size. Breast reduction surgery is available to any patient whose breasts have completed physical maturation. One of the most significant factors involving the size and shape of the breasts is pregnancy and breast-feeding which can dramatically change the shape and size of the breast and some doctors may recommend waiting until after childbirth, although this is not a rule. Patients should also be in good physical health and be non-smokers. Patients who regularly smoke and wish to undergo breast reduction surgery may be asked to quit for several months before and after the procedure. Patients will also need to refrain from the use of Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs that thin the blood and can cause a risk of bleeding during surgery. How is the breast reduction procedure done? During a breast reduction procedure, the surgeon will make 3 main incisions and generally they are all that are necessary. The first incision runs from the areola down to the base of the breast. The second incision runs along the underside of the breast and follows the curve of the breast. The final incision traces the aureola so that the nipple can be repositioned after breast tissue has been removed. The nipples remain connected to the underlying tissues in an effort to retain function and sensation. The size of the aureola can also be reduced before repositioning to help balance the proportion between the size of the breast and the nipple. Be sure talk with your surgeon about any future plans to have children and express any concerns regarding breast function. A breast reduction procedure can be performed in a hospital or at a surgical center and takes anywhere from 2-4 hours on average. During this time the patient will remain under general anesthesia to prevent pain and will not feel or remember anything. Although a breast reduction is a major surgery, it is usually considered an outpatient procedure, meaning patients are allowed to return home afterwards and do not necessarily require an overnight stay. Some patients choose to stay at a post surgical recovery center the first night after surgery to make sure they get the optimal care and attention available. There are multiple variations on procedures and a surgeon will be able to determine what is best for each patient. The most important thing patients can do to make sure surgery provides the best results is to stay healthy in the weeks and months leading up to surgery, and get plenty of rest and take care of the body afterwards. It is vitally important to follow the advice of the surgeons as closely as possible and not to rush back to strenuous activities. Most patients are able move about after several days and with the help of post-surgical compression bras may be able to return to work in around 2 weeks with the approval of the surgeon during check ups. Vigorous activities should initially be avoided but should slowly be eased into as advised by surgeons. While the breast will be very swollen and tender for at least the first couple of weeks, swelling and discomfort will subside fully over the course of several months and patients will be able to return to wearing normal bras and finally get an idea of what the final outcome will be.
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