Ohio Breast Reduction: Improving Quality of Life and Confidenc

Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that helps women reduce or eliminate the symptoms associated with large breasts.

In Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Ergun Kocak, Dr. Pankaj Tiwari  and Dr. Santosh Kale at Midwest Breast & Aesthetic Surgery remove excess breast tissue to alleviate patient discomfort while creating a more proportional breast-to-body appearance. Our surgical team has provided personalized care to countless breast reduction patients since 2013.

If you are currently experiencing discomfort due to the size of your breasts, you may be a good candidate for the surgery. Below are symptoms commonly experienced by candidates for breast reduction.

• Skin irritation under and/or between the breasts
• Longterm neck, shoulder, back pain
• Chronic headaches attributed to breast weight
• Disproportionate breast-to-body ratio
• Poor posture
• Inability to join or enjoy social and athletic activities

Candidates should be free from serious medical conditions that will preclude surgical procedures under anesthesia. Smoking or use of nicotine product will need to be suspended for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery for best outcomes. In addition, effects from breastfeeding and pregnancy can reverse or significantly alter the outcome of your procedure.

Our surgeons will personally evaluate your medical history, perform a thorough exam, and provide a custom tailored treatment plan at your initial consultation.

Breast reduction performed under medical necessity is covered under most health insurance plans. After your consultation appointment, our surgeons will send a clinical summary letter to your insurance company. Your health insurance company will then determine whether your breast reduction is medically necessary or not, and respond in approximately 1-2 months. Once approved, or pre-authorized, we will schedule your procedure at your convenience.

If your breast reduction procedure is not considered medically necessary by your insurance provider, you have the options to pay out-of-pocket for your procedure. On average, breast reduction cost in Ohio ranges between $7,000 – $10,000. Location, surgical complexity, and differences between surgical practices will affect the total cost. Healthcare specific financing options are available through CareCredit.

To schedule a consultation or ask a question regarding breast reduction surgery, contact our team online or at +1 855-687-6227 to set up an appointment.

Techniques often vary based on the patient’s breast size and shape, as well as surgeon preference. It is important that you discuss the scar pattern of your upcoming procedure during your visit.

During your consultation, the doctors will present you with the best options suited for your current and ideal breast size. At Midwest Breast & Aesthetic Surgery, our surgeons recommend these breast reduction incision techniques:

• Traditional (Anchor scar pattern)
  This technique makes three incisions: a circle around the areola, a vertical extension from the areola to the breast crease at the 6 o’clock position, and a horizontal extension along the breast crease. This pattern resembles the shape of an anchor. The incision along the breast crease, or inframammary fold, is designed to hide under the natural ptosis (or droop) of the breast. All other scars are expected to hide under clothing, including swimwear. This is the most common technique performed, and it is especially effective when a large volume reduction is planned or significant amount of breast skin needs to be removed.
• Vertical (Lollipop scar pattern)
  When a modest amount of breast skin and soft tissue is to be removed, a vertical breast reduction is recommended. Two incisions are made: a circle around the areola and a vertical extension from the areola to the breast crease at the 6 o’clock position. The excess breast tissue is removed and the breast is re-shaped toward an aesthetic result.

The degree to which scars around the nipple/areola fade depends largely on patient skin quality and care. Scars fade over 12 months, and ways to optimize your results will be discussed at post-operative visits.

Benefits of breast reduction will depend on your initial symptoms. They may include the following:

• Reduced symptoms:
  • Neck, shoulder, and back pain
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder grooving
  • Rash between and under breasts
• Improved activity:
  • Smaller, lighter breasts
  • Ability to engage in strenuous exercise
  • Less self-consciousness in social situations
  • Better fit in everyday clothing
• Enhanced appearance:
  • Improved size and symmetry
  • A more youthful, “lifted” look
  • Better breast-to-body proportion

In addition, many patients report emotional improvements, higher self-esteem, and a better overall quality of life.

You will be fully asleep during your surgery, placed under general anesthesia. It is an outpatient procedure that takes 2 – 3 hours to complete.

The incision pattern will depend on your original breast size and shape and the technique used to achieve the best results (see Breast Reduction Techniques). The soft tissues from your breasts will be removed and reshaped to their final position. The nipples will be elevated and placed at the highest point of your new breast mound, providing a more youthful appearance. In addition, areola size can be made smaller per request.

In patients with large or very ptotic/sagging breasts, the use of dermal flaps to internally suspend the new breast mound is an option aimed at providing a long-lasting result.

The incisions will be closed with sutures and skin glue. Most sutures will be absorbable, meaning they will not need to be removed. Results are apparent immediately. Post-operative swelling will decrease over the first few weeks, and scars will fade over few months.

For patients over the age of 40, a routine screening mammogram is recommended before breast reduction surgery.

Below are guidelines to help ensure that your healing process yields safe and satisfying results:

• Prepare loose and comfortable clothing to wear over your surgical bra.
• Identify family members or friends who are willing to lend assistance for the first few days after surgery.
• Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctors. Prescription pain medication is used to supplement over-the-counter pain medications.
• You will wear a surgical bra both day and night following the procedure. Gentle compression will help ease post-operative swelling and pain.
• Showering is allowed after 2 days. It is recommended to wait until cleared by your surgeon before soaking or submerging your breasts in water.
• Swelling after surgery is expected. This will subside dramatically over 4 to 6 weeks.
• Avoid heavy lifting, stretching, repetitive movements, strenuous activities, and extended travel for 4 to 6 weeks.
• In general, patients resume driving at 1 week, and return to desk jobs at 2 weeks following surgery.

With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Fortunately, significant complications are rare in breast reduction surgery. Nonetheless, understanding the risks as well as the benefits of the procedure you are about to undergo is important.

• Delayed wound healing
  Areas of your incision may be slow to heal, requiring daily dressing changes with application of ointments.
• Decrease or loss in nipple sensation
  While most patients’ nipple sensation will remain the same, in a small group of patients, nipple sensation my increase or decrease.
• Partial or total nipple loss
  While very rare, a portion of your nipple and areola can sustain injury leading to scabbing of the nipple or nipple loss.

Returning to your routine postoperative appointments will allow our doctors to evaluate your surgical wounds and monitor progress as well as identify and treat impending problems.

Your final results will take shape between 6 – 12 weeks. Within this window, a 70% to 80% decrease in swelling is expected. It may take 6 months to a year for all swelling to subside.

Visit our gallery page to see before and after photos of breast reduction patients performed by our surgeons at Midwest Breast & Aesthetic Surgery.