Can Breast Reduction Make a Difference for You?
The decision to have breast reduction is personal, and women choose the procedure for a variety of reasons. If any of the following sound familiar, we encourage you to consider breast reduction surgery:
- Your back, neck or shoulders hurt all the time, and you have trouble taking a deep breath.
- You are self-conscious about having disproportionately large breasts.
- You want to eliminate unwanted attention due to your breasts.
- Bras are extremely uncomfortable, chafing and leaving indentations on your shoulders.
- You feel limited in your clothing choices because of your large, sagging breasts.
- You have bought every sports bra on the market, but none make exercise easier.
For most of our patients, a combination of these problems led them to have this life-enhancing surgery, which can increase both physical comfort and self-confidence: their backs no longer hurt, posture improves, exercise becomes more enjoyable, and they’re happier with how they look and feel in clothing. In fact, we consistently hear from our patients after their procedure, “I only wish I did this sooner.”
Why Choose Dr. Cohen for Breast Reduction?
Whether your primary goal is to eliminate pain and discomfort, or you would like smaller breasts for other reasons, Dr. Cohen will listen to you. We believe that you know your body best, and you will be a partner in your surgery experience.
What Will I Look Like After Breast Reduction?
We look at a number of factors when determining your ideal breast size after surgery, including your body & frame size as well as your desired look with breast reduction. It is important to create a breast shape and size that looks natural and proportional to your body.
Dr. Cohen will also correct any asymmetry in the breast shape, size or nipple position to give you the most balanced, aesthetically pleasing shape possible. At your consultation, we will help you form realistic expectations about how you can hope to look after breast reduction.
Is a Breast Lift Included in Breast Reduction?
If you have very large breasts, chances are you are not so happy with their shape either. You probably have a fair amount of sagging as well. Your Baltimore breast specialist will also lift and reposition your breasts to give you a more youthful, beautiful breast contour, perhaps for the first time in your life.
Can Liposuction Be Used for Breast Reduction?
If you have excess fat around the breasts, liposuction can help to improve the overall contour of your new breasts. Keep in mind, however, that liposuction can only address fat, not glandular tissue or excess skin. While all three are removed during breast reduction surgery, liposuction is best used as a complementary procedure to enhance your results.
What is the Surgery Like?
A breast reduction takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the individual. This surgery is done on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia. Because safety is our first concern, we always work with board-certified anesthesiologists to ensure that your surgery is as safe as possible.
Dr. Cohen will remove excess fat, glandular tissue and skin, reshaping the new smaller breast and moving the nipple and areola into a more lifted, youthful position. While you will have some post-operative swelling, most patients notice the improved shape and lighter weight of their breasts immediately after surgery.
What is the Recovery Like?
You will be happy to learn that most of our patients are back to daily activities within the first week after surgery, including a return to work if they have a desk job.
It is common to have some bruising, swelling and tenderness initially, which will subside over the first several weeks after surgery, and you will need to rest at home for the first 2-3 days. While everyone heals differently, you can expect the following with recovery:
- Bed rest the day of surgery is recommended.
- Limit activity for the next two days following surgery.
- Avoid lifting & more strenuous activities for about one to two weeks.
- With your surgeon’s okay, you can return to work within the first week.
- Expect to wear a supportive sports bra for a couple of weeks following surgery.
- You can usually resume most aerobic exercise 2-4 weeks after surgery.
Will Insurance Cover Breast Reduction?
In some cases, breast reduction surgery may be covered by certain insurance companies. Our office will work with your insurance company to determine the scope of your benefits. Otherwise, this surgery would be considered cosmetic.
Meet Our Leader in Breast Plastic Surgery
Natural, symmetrical breast reduction results require the highest level of skill and experience in a surgeon. Our breast surgery specialist, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Cohen, has over 20 years of experience performing breast cosmetic surgery and is recognized by his peers for his excellence in skill and patient care.