Have You Considered Breast Reduction Surgery?
By Stanley Okoro | Published on December 9, 2010 | 0 Comments
The ideal candidate for a breast reduction surgery, explains Stanley Okoro MD of Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, is someone who has large breasts and diagnosed medical symptoms. These could include pain in the neck, back and shoulders, and sometimes even numbness in the arms that is a direct result of supporting large breasts.
Though patients do generally report having more self-confidence after surgery and being pleased with the reduced size of their breasts, their main motives tend to be pain relief and comfort. Therefore, breast reduction surgery is, many times, actually considered a medical procedure as opposed to a cosmetic one. As a result, your procedure may be covered by your health insurance provider. In those instances, says Dr. Okoro, a plastic surgeon in Marietta, Georgia, your insurance company will probably require that you obtain a referral from your doctor before meeting with a plastic surgeon.
In most instances, explains Dr. Okoro, breast reduction surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure—meaning that you will not stay in the hospital overnight—and will be done under general anesthesia. This is a very common procedure and there is not a lot that you, as the patient, need to do to prepare. If you are over the age of 40, then Dr. Okoro suggests getting a mammogram done before surgery to detect any possible tumors. And, as always, if you have any medical conditions or allergies, you need to alert your doctor so that he can plan accordingly.
After you return home from your surgery, Dr. Okoro says that you will most likely feel some bruising, swelling, soreness or tenderness around your breasts. He recommends that you relax in bed for a day or two before resuming your normal activities. Unlike other plastic surgeries, breast reduction patients are not bedridden, but instead will recover within one to two weeks. During this time, however, it is recommended that you avoid exercising or heavy lifting. Other normal actives, such as showering, are completely safe.
An important part of the healing process is meeting regularly with your surgeon to assess your progress. Dr. Okoro requests that patients visit Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery one week after surgery, then in intervals of every few months. He uses these visits as an opportunity to look for any signs of problems and to start reducing the appearance of any scars. If at any time during the recovery process you start to notice any signs of infection, develop a fever, or spot abnormal drainage, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Though rare, you should alert the office of any problems that could become serious.
Overall, Dr. Okoro says, breast reduction surgery is one of the most celebrated procedures available today. Patients feel little discomfort immediately following their surgeries and are soon able to do many activities that their large breasts prohibited them from doing before.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.