Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Specialists in Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
Thank you for considering UC Health Plastic Surgery for your plastic surgery procedure. We offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in our modern, state-of-the-art facility located in West Chester, Ohio, convenient to both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. We offer a friendly staff of nurses and administrative support to help with your scheduling issues and questions.
What is Reduction Mammoplasty?
Breast reduction surgery (also known as reduction mammoplasty) removes fat, tissue and skin from the breasts, resulting in breast that are higher on the chest wall, more aesthetic and proportionate to the overall body shape, while relieving the physical discomfort caused by overly large breasts (known as macromastia). Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but it is advisable to wait until the breasts have stopped developing. Women who plan to have children and breast feed should discuss this with their plastic surgeon because breast reduction surgery may impact the ability to breast feed, and changes are likely to occur to the breasts as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.
Procedure Benefits
- Reduce breast size for balanced body symmetry
- Reduce grooving from bra straps
- Reduce skin irritation and rashes under breasts
- Reduce head, neck, back, and shoulder pain
- Improve ability to engage in physical activities
Private Consultation
At our conveniently located Cincinnati offices, you will discuss your expectations with your surgeon as to the desirable size and shape of your breasts. After discussing your medical history, the surgeon will examine your breasts. The surgeon or a female assistant will photograph your breasts for preoperative and postoperative reference; these photographs are needed to obtain insurance coverage if applicable. Your surgeon will describe the procedure, including the risks and limitations, as well as the cost which may or may not be covered by your insurance company.
Preparation
If you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, it must be controlled before you can undergo this procedure. After you have scheduled a surgery date, you will make an appointment for pre-admission testing and a physical exam. Your surgeon may also require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before your surgery. You will receive guidelines on eating and drinking, taking vitamins and medications, and smoking. Smoking should be stopped 2-3 months before the operation because it reduces the blood supply to tissue. In fact, some surgeons will refuse to perform elective surgery on smokers due to this risk. You should arrange for someone to drive you home from our Cincinnati offices after your surgery and to help you out for a few days.
Procedure Overview
The procedure usually takes 2-4 hours and is performed in the surgical facility in West Chester. Breast reduction is performed under general anaesthesia, so you will be asleep during the entire operation. Postoperative hospitalization is expected. During the operation, the nipple and areola of each breast will be moved to a higher position, usually without actually removing them from their nerve supply so that nipple sensation remains after the surgery, as does the ability to attain an erect nipple and to breast feed. The surgeon then removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, reapproximates the skin from both sides of the breast around the areola, and shapes the new contour of the breast. If necessary, liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from under the armpits. Stitches are usually around the areola and in a vertical line extending downward. In many cases, there is also a scar horizontally under the breasts.
Recovery and Healing Time
After surgery, a surgical bra will be placed over gauze dressings. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for a day or two. You may experience some pain for a few days, so your surgeon will prescribe pain medication. The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, but you need to continue wearing the surgical bra for several weeks until the swelling and bruising subside. Your stiches are usually dissolvable. You may experience random pain for a few months, and there will be some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin at first, but this usually fades over the next six weeks. Most women can return to non-strenuous work and social activities in about two weeks, and you should able to return to full activity within 4-6 weeks. However, you should limit your physical activities, and you may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more to avoid swelling of your incisions. A small amount of fluid or crusting around your incisions is normal, but you should contact your surgeon if you have bleeding or severe pain.
Procedure Risks
- Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
- Swelling
- Redness
- Infection
- Scarring
- Nipple or breast numbness
- Loss of ability to breast feed
UC Health Plastic Surgery in West Chester, has three nationally recognized Cincinnati plastic surgeons.
Located north of Cincinnati, we serve West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Indian Hill and the rest of Greater Cincinnati and Dayton for all of their plastic surgery procedure needs.
