Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is done to reduce the size of the breasts and thereby reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with large, heavy, pendulous breasts.  Symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, headaches and rash under the breasts can be reduced or even eliminated with this surgery.  Often, but not always, insurance covers this procedure.  Coverage depends on your height, weight, symptoms, what you’ve done to treat the symptoms, amount of tissue to be removed and which medical insurance company you have.  Dr. Topol will review this with you and if it is possible that your insurance will cover your surgery, he will write to them for approval of coverage.  Our office staff will work with you to try to obtain approval—this often requires multiple phone calls and appeal letters from our office to help you gain coverage.  If coverage is not possible, then we will review with you how this is done from a cosmetic standpoint.

Breast reduction is quite simply a geometry operation done to take a large cone and make it into a smaller one.  In order to do so, both skin and breast tissue must be removed.  There are several ways to do this procedure.  Dr. Topol will discuss your options with you.  If possible, the short scar vertical technique will be done.  This is new in this country but has been done in Europe for some time.  Dr. Topol is one of only a few surgeons in this area to offer this technique which results in shorter scars and a better more long lasting shape and projection to the breast.  Breast lift is always done with breast reduction.

Risks from this procedure are reviewed in detail at your consultation.  The greatest concerns are for the potential for reduced or absent nipple sensation, poor wound healing, pink scars, or loss of part of the nipple or areola (fortunately very rare in Dr. Topol’s practice).  Risks are markedly increased in smokers –therefore Dr. Topol will not perform this procedure on an active smoker—smoking and all nicotine products must be stopped completely for at least 3 months. 

Surgery is usually done in the hospital and patients usually stay overnight and go home the next morning.  This is done for your safety and comfort.  Surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia.  Pain requiring medication may last 2 or 3 days—occasionally longer if you are sensitive to pain.  Return to work is usually allowed after  one week—no vigorous exercise for 3 to 4 weeks.  Multiple follow-up visits with Dr. Topol are scheduled to follow you closely as you heal.

Breast reduction patients are among our most grateful.  Dr. Topol will meet with you at least two if not three times before surgery to make sure all goes well.  If you have questions or wish to be seen for a personal consultation please do not hesitate to give our office a call or send us an e-mail.