Breast Reduction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Corpus Christi and South Texas

Large, pendulous breasts are a burden some women have to deal with daily. They can be very painful and cause discomfort to your neck and back distorting your posture. They can cause you to have difficulty breathing or develop a rash underneath the breast fold. Bra straps can create indentations on your shoulders. Additionally, some women just don’t feel comfortable in their own skin because the size of their bust.

Breast Reduction surgery can relieve body aches and pain associated with large breasts.

What is a Breast Reduction?

Of all the plastic surgery procedures performed, Breast Reduction has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates.

Breast Reduction is a surgical approach to reducing the size of your breasts by removing excess fat, tissue, and skin. This procedure will reshape the breast while making the areola smaller. Breast Reduction can enhance your appearance by making the curvature of your breasts more proportional to the rest of your body and at the same time it also lifts your breast.

Candidates

Women all too often are hindered from doing normal daily activities because the strain caused by their breasts is too immense. Macromastia, the medical terminology for large breasts, makes it hard for women to maintain good posture whether sitting or standing.

Macromastia may lead to chronic pain of the neck, shoulders, back, chest, and even numbness in the breasts or fingers. It also makes sleeping a challenge, not only from limited sleeping positions but the hindrance of breathing. Women also find it impossible to exercise or run with such a large bust. Some experience marks on their shoulders and sides from their bra straps.

Breasts must be fully developed to undergo a Breast Reduction, but there is no age restriction. Skin elasticity makes for optimal results. All women who relate to any of the above problems, or just desire a smaller bust can truly benefit from this procedure. If you are considering a Breast Lift, call us for a consultation and Dr. Gentile will be able to explain in detail the best procedure specifically for you.

Reduction Methods

All breast reductions are based on a pedicle which provides the blood supply to the nipple and areola complex. Function and sensation of the nipples remain while the volume and contour of the breast is reduced. There are 2 different Pedicle methods: Inferior and Superior. Dr. Gentile uses exclusively the superior pedicle technique which consists in reducing the amount of tissue hanging on the bottom half of the breast. This method too leaves the nipple intact and the blood supply and nerves are undisturbed. This will produce a perky look to your bust with minimal risk. During your consultation is the time Dr. Hervé Gentile will determine the method that will give you optimal results.

Types of Breast Reduction methods:

Anchor Incision Pattern

Cut in the shape of an anchor, an incision is made around the areola, down the breast, and then a horizontal incision along the natural breast fold. Tissue is removed from the incisions. Anchor Incision Pattern is one of the more popular choices Breast Reduction methods used by Dr. Gentile only on patients who have experienced massive weight loss or undergone bariatric surgery.

Vertical Incision Pattern (Lollipop)

This is a short scar technique and most often employed by Dr. Gentile. The incision runs vertically from around the areola to your inframammary fold. There are no transverse scars underneath your breast and it is far superior to any other methods in best reshaping your breast.

Free Nipple Graft

With this method, the nipple is actually removed from the breast and after returned though a skin graft. The blood supply is not used from the breast so pedicle methods are not required in this process. However, the blood supply is taken from the second layer of skin for the nipple graft. This method is only used on gigantic breast when the nipple blood supply would be compromised by a pedicle technique.

Consultation

Your private consultation is the time when you will explain to Dr. Hervé Gentile the look you desire for your breasts. Some topics that will be discussed are the size you are now and what you want them to be, nipple placement, and the quality of your skin. Medical history or previous surgeries are important to share. Dr. Gentile will perform a thorough examination and the combination of your concerns and his findings will lead him to choose the perfect personalized method.

Pictures will be taken prior to your surgery so you can see your fantastic transformation post-surgery.

Your anesthesia options will be discussed at this time as well. If you are planning on becoming pregnant and breastfeeding in the future or losing extensive weight, please share this information with Dr. Gentile. Pricing can be addressed at this time.

Preparation

Preparation details will be given to you at your consultation. For all patients undergoing a Breast Reduction procedure, a pre-op mammogram is requested. You may also be asked to complete certain test and further medical examinations. If you are a smoker, you must stop several weeks before surgery. Patients are to avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin a week before surgery. Patients should either wear or bring loose fitting clothing to surgery. Arm motion and range will be limited for a while after surgery, so you will be unable to fully raise them. Transportation should be arranged prior to surgery, as you cannot drive yourself home. It is recommended the family member or friend that drives you home stays the night with you.

Procedure

When you arrive to surgery, marks will be made on the breast in the places that the incisions will be made. When you lay down on the operating table your breasts will change shape, so marking the spots is important to ensure the proper placement. Dr. Gentile most often performs the reduction via a vertical approach, which results in a much smaller scar on the breast, similar to a Breast Lift procedure. In enormous breasts, however, the areola/nipple complex is transferred to its new location via transplantation, again resulting in reduced scarring of the breast. You will be given general anesthesia for the process and will be asleep the entirety of the procedure.

The procedure takes about 2 – 3 hours, depending on the extent of your reduction. After surgery you will wear a sports–type bra for about 4 weeks. The procedure is not particularly uncomfortable. Any swelling or bruising you may experience will resolve within 2 weeks. Icing can help speed along that process. After you are awaken from anesthesia you will rest a while in the recovery room and when you are ready you will be driven home by a family member or friend. Dr. Gentile will tell you when to come in next for a follow-up appointment to assess your healing.

Recovery

Each patient will experience a different recovery process depending on your body’s reaction to surgery. Following the personalized recovery plan Dr. Gentile gives you is important for optimal results.

All patients will wear a support bra for a few weeks; specific time will be determined by the doctor. Your breasts will feel sensitive and tender. You can expect some decreased feeling in your nipples and skin but the numbness fades with time. Rarely loss of sensation can be permanent. No stitches require removal, and scars will diminish and fade over time. You may have to take sponge baths and have someone help you wash your hair for several days as your arm motion will be limited. Additionally, make sure everything you will need during your recovery is counter level. Your head and neck should be elevated while sleeping on your back.

Although you may be up and about in a day or two, do not plan to go to work for at least a week. Rest is key to recovery. Walking is also important for the healing process to prevent blood clots. Some pain is normal and will subside in time. Pain medication will be prescribed by Dr. Gentile to ensure your recovery is as smooth and comfortable as possible. Strenuous activity and overhead lifting is prohibited for several weeks after surgery.

Many women who receive a Breast Reduction are extremely happy with the results. This procedure gives women the ability to live a pain-free life. Workouts will no longer be a burden, but rather a fun and joyous activity. Your confidence will shoot up as you fit perfectly in your shirts and dresses.

Pricing

The price of your Breast Reduction will depend on the method you undergo and how much your breasts need to be reduced. This can be discussed during your consultation.

Since Breast Reduction can sometimes be considered reconstructive in nature, some insurances may cover the cost of the surgery. You will need to check with your carrier about coverage and their requirements. If you feel that you are a candidate for breast reduction surgery and are requesting coverage under your health insurance, it is important that you contact your health insurance carrier and have them forward to you in writing their criteria for coverage. Every insurance company has different, independent criteria and indications. It has become increasingly difficult to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery. Insurance companies frequently require 2-3 documented reports from other referred specialists before they’ll consider covering it. Also, the insurance companies commonly request 6-12 months of documentation and treatment by either a physical therapist, chiropractor, dermatologist or orthopedist.