Relief Through Breast Reduction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Breast reduction surgery is often sought after by patients for relief from pain caused by large breasts or excessive weight. In order to decrease the patient's breast size, breast reduction surgery removes fat, skin, and tissue from the breast area.

Our cosmetic surgeon at Radiance Plastic Surgery, providing services in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, can discuss breast reduction procedures with you.

Surgical Breast Reduction Risks

Breast reduction scars encircle the areola, drop vertically from the areola to the crease beneath the breast, and run horizontally in the crease. The overall shape of the scars resembles an "anchor." Any of these scars may thicken and spread or remain red for many months. Surgeon Dr. Cherup will suture them all meticulously, using the best plastic surgery technique available at the time of surgery in one of her near by Pittsburgh locations. How they eventually look, however, depends largely on your own unique skin qualities and healing characteristics. Occasionally, injections of a steroid (Kenalog) into thick scars can help flatten them. Rarely, you and Dr. Cherup may decide to revise some of the scars, but not for at least a year after breast reduction surgery, by which time the scars will have matured. Taping silicone sheeting over thick scars for several weeks has helped to flatten some scars.

Although many patients experience partial numbness of some skin areas after a breast reduction, permanent sensory loss is rare. It is not common, but permanent loss of sensation to the nipple also can occur. Erection of the nipple, a nonsensory function, is usually present after surgery. Reduced sensation may improve for up to 2 years.

Very few women have perfectly symmetrical breasts. After surgery, you may still have some asymmetry. This usually improves when the swelling subsides. Rarely, patients require further small revisions a year or more after breast reduction surgery. Revisions can be performed by Dr. Cherup at one of her practices - main location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

As you heal, the skin on the lower half of the breasts may stretch out. The breast tissue may then lie below the level of the nipple, causing the nipple to point upward, a condition called "bottoming out." If this unlikely event occurs after breast reduction, it may require minor further surgery to excise some of the extra skin along the lower incision lines.

Current breast reduction techniques usually allow some breast feeding, but milk production is almost certainly reduced. There is some risk that breast feeding may not be possible. If this issue will affect you or any future plans, discuss it with Dr. Cherup before the breast reduction operation is performed at one of the Pittsburgh or nearby locations.

Reducing breast volume and weight usually helps chronic neck, back and shoulder pain but such relief may not occur in every case.

Although it is always a possibility, infection is an unusual complication. We will give you antibiotics during and after your breast reduction surgery. If an infection develops, it usually stays localized and is treatable with antibiotics.

Postoperative scarring within the breast tissue may cause areas of hardness. Occasionally, areas of hardness, when discovered later may cause worries about cancer. Mammography or even biopsies are occasionally indicated.

Rarely, because of infection or compromised circulation, areas of skin, the nipple, or fat under the skin can die. This usually occurs along an incision line and involves little more than daily dressing changes and a longer healing period. Very rarely, tissue loss may involve larger areas, such as the nipple, and require further reconstructive surgery.

Reduction mammoplasty will not protect you from normally occurring breast diseases and cancer. Routine self-examination and mammography as per the American Cancer Society guidelines are strongly recommended.

For more information on breast reduction surgical risks, contact cosmetic surgeon Lori Cherup at one of her practice locations - main practice is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Postoperative Breast Reduction Instructions

For at least the first week after breast reduction surgery, try to sleep on your back, instead of your side. Two pillows to elevate and support both your head and your back will help to keep the swelling down. (It is more important for you to sleep than to rigidly adhere to this suggestion.)

At the time of breast reduction surgery, gauze dressings and Ace wraps will be applied around the chest. These will be removed 1-2 days after surgery and will be replaced with clean dressings, which will remain in place until your drains are removed after surgery. At that time, you will be placed in a surgical bra, which you should wear day and night for 2-3 weeks after breast reduction surgery. (You may, of course, remove it for laundering.)

One drain will probably be placed in each breast at the time of surgery, and it will be brought out through the end of the incision under the arm. These drains evacuate the fluid that accumulates after breast reduction surgery and enable you to heal faster. When the drain is first put in place, the bulb at the end of each tube will be compressed to create gentle suction. As the fluid collects in the bulb, the bulb will slowly expand.

Secure the bulb of the drain to your dressings with a safety pin. Twice a day or whenever the bulb is half full, you should empty the bulb by opening the plug at the top and pouring out the contents. Do not attempt to remove the bulb from the tubing. Squeeze the bulb to recompress it, and put the plug back into the hole at the top in order to maintain the vacuum.

If the bulb fills rapidly after emptying it, or you need to empty it more than three times a day, please call us at (412) 220-8181. Dr. Cherup or a nurse at one of the practice locations in or around Pittsburgh will remove the drains after breast reduction surgery, when the fluid begins to turn a clear straw color and/or the amount of drainage has diminished.

The sutures around the areola will be removed 14 days after breast reduction surgery. The remaining sutures will be removed over the first week.

Scars take at least 1 year to fade completely. During this time, it is better that you protect them from the sun. Even through a bathing suit, a good deal of sunlight can reach the skin and cause damage. It is imperative that you wear a sunscreen with a skin-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 at all times when you are in the sunshine. Be extremely careful if areas of your breast skin have reduced sensitivity.

Once you are home from the hospital, you may shower or bathe. Showering or bathing with the drains in place is not harmful. Do not soak the drain sites under water.

Healing from Breast Reduction Surgery Information

Tingling, burning, or shooting pains, which will disappear with time and should not alarm you, indicate regeneration of the sensory nerves. If these sensations cause pain, local self massage may help.

The two breasts commonly heal quite differently. One breast may swell more, feel more uncomfortable, or have a different initial shape. After complete healing from breast reduction surgery, they will look remarkably similar and natural. You must have patience, but if this causes concern, ask questions of Dr. Cherup or the nursing staff - main location is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Any type of strenuous activity can induce swelling and bleeding, especially during the first 10-14 days after breast reduction surgery. Therefore, limit your exercise to walking during the first month. In general, guide your activities by your discomfort - that is, if an activity hurts, do not do it. If your job keeps you rather sedentary, you may feel well enough to return to work in 7-10 days. You will tire easily and you may want to limit your hours on your first few days back. If the swelling or discomfort increases, you have probably done too much too soon. One month after surgery, you may start easing yourself into your usual exercise routine. Remember, do not push yourself too quickly.

For more information on breast reduction surgery, including questions about the surgical risks and pre and postoperative instructions, feel free to contact cosmetic surgeon Lori Cherup - main office location is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.