Questions About Breast Reduction
Denver, CO
Am I a good candidate for breast reduction?
If you are unhappy with the size of your breasts and feel they are too big, you could be a good candidate. You would need to be in good general health. You would also need to be over 18 years of age, as the breasts have finished developing by that time. Surgery patients need to understand the risks that come with all surgeries – such as reaction to the anesthetic – and those that come with the particular surgery being considered.
All these issues would be discussed before you had any procedure done, and you would sign to say that you understand your surgery’s benefits and risks.
Would I have scars after a breast reduction?
Yes, the skin always forms a scar after it has been cut. That is its way of healing – it produces collagen to connect the two edges. Each person scars in his or her own way, and you may already know that your scars tend to be thin and inconspicuous. There are large scars called hypertrophic scars, which do not shrink over time, and there are also keloid scars, which grow larger than the original incision. These two types are not typical. If you were to have either type, it would not be because of your surgery or how it was done, but because of your genetic background.
How long is the recovery time after a breast reduction?
Recovery times can often be thought of in two periods: immediate recovery and long-term or final recovery. After a breast reduction, the immediate recovery is a couple of weeks. In this time most of the bruising and swelling will fade away and stitches will be removed. For a few days you will have some type of breast support – a surgical bra or an elastic bandage. It is worn over the dressings until they are removed and then for a few more weeks. If you have a sedentary job you can probably return to it by the end of two weeks.
Full recovery from breast reduction is several months to possibly a year. In this time, any menstrual swelling or discomfort in the breasts will fade, scars will shrink and fade, any numbness will usually disappear, and your new shape will be established. People heal in individual ways, which is why no fixed period can be predicted for recovery.
What are the possible complications after a breast reduction?
Breast reduction brings the same risks that come with any major surgery. Three typical possibilities are:
- An allergic reaction to the anesthesia
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
In the hands of an experienced and capable plastic surgeon such as Dr. Broadway, these events are very rare. Use of liposuction reduces risk because it needs only very small incisions and no general anesthesia, just local anesthesia with a sedative to help you relax. In a few cases after breast reduction there can be some re-growth of breast tissue or interference with breastfeeding.
You can greatly help reduce your own risks by communicating well with Dr. Broadway and his team, and by following his recovery instructions exactly. They are written for your benefit. If you are a smoker, you could improve your healing by quitting before having your breast reduction. Tobacco constricts blood vessels, reducing the blood flow so necessary for good healing.
Would my insurance company cover the cost?
That would depend on your reasons for having breast reduction. If they were mainly medical reasons, such as relieving backaches or skin problems, your cost could be covered. If you had breast reduction for purely cosmetic reasons, the procedure would not be covered. You should talk to your insurance company about this. Dr. Broadway does not accept any insurance but can provide you the insurance codes after surgery to submit the claim yourself. Please keep in mind everything would need to be paid to Dr. Broadway up front.
Please call or email our cosmetic surgery office if you would like to schedule a personal consultation. Our office serves all of Denver, Colorado and we look forward to working with you.
Lone Tree 9777 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 200, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Cherry Creek North 255 S. Detroit Street, Suite 200 Denver 80206