Thinking about Breast Reduction Surgery?

The top 10 things to know about the breast reduction process

1. When seeking approval from your insurance company for a breast reduction surgery, it is helpful to submit letters from any other offices where you have sought treatment for your aches and pains. For example, if you have back pain as a result of your large, heavy breasts and you have seen a chiropractor or massage therapist for you pain, have them write you a letter. It is helpful to show that you have looked into non-surgical treatments.

2. Having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 35 is important for obtaining approval and for safety during surgery. Patients with a high BMI have higher incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis, poor wound healing, and post surgical pneumonia. Also, insurance companies like to see that you have tried weight loss as a non surgical treatment.

3. Post surgical pain is minimal with breast reduction surgery. Many women say they only need strong pain medicine for a day or two. After that Tylenol works very well!

4. You can return to work 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery with only some lifting restrictions. It is 5 to 6 weeks before we recommend lifting anything more than 5 pounds.

5. You will be able to slowly add activity over the 5 weeks following your surgery. You will be able to return to full activity at 6 weeks.

6. Most women say that they feel lighter and have less back and neck pain almost immediately after surgery. The amount of weight removed is generally less than 1 to 2 pounds, but people say it feels like 10 pounds!

7. For the best outcomes and most ideal wound healing we highly recommend quitting smoking.

8. The scars from a breast reduction surgery form a lollipop like shape. A circle around the areola and straight line down from the bottom of the areola. It takes almost a year for the redness in the scar to fade, but eventually they will be fine white lines.

9. You will follow up with us for several months following your surgery. The first follow up appointment is 2 to 4 days after your surgery. For the first month after surgery we see you every week or two, then once a month for the next couple of months.

10. Dr. McMillan takes special care to keep the nipple and areola complex attached at all times to a glandular, blood and nerve supply. This means you have the best outcomes possible for future breast feeding, circulation, and sensation.

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