Breast Reduction in New York offered by a board-certified top New York plastic surgeon. Robert Tornambe discusses techniques, recovery, effects of aging, Breast reduction, Breast lift, and more.

Breast Reduction is usually performed for relief of medical and or physical problems which are caused by the excessively heavy breasts. I have been performing Breast Reduction Surgery in New York for over twenty years.

Neck and back pain, headache, skin rashes and breathing problems are medical conditions frequently associated with large breasts. Many women, especially teenagers who have reached puberty, feel an extreme sense of self-consciousness secondary to the unusually large size of their breasts. Breast Reduction Surgery, also known as Reduction Mammoplasty, is designed to alleviate these problems.

It involves the removal of skin, fat and breast tissue from the breasts creating a smaller, lighter, perkier and firmer structure. If the size of the areola (the tissue surrounding the nipple) is also excessive, this may be corrected during  breast reduction surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR BREAST REDUCTION CONSULTATION

The consultation process (plan to spend at least one hour), includes an in-depth discussion about your desires with regard to size, shape and dimensions of your breasts after Breast Reduction Surgery. It is the surgeon’s task to explain all aspects of the operation, the pros and cons, and most importantly, the concept of realistic expectations with regard to your postoperative result.

Often times health insurance covers the costs of this surgery, and photos and other medical information must be obtained and submitted to your insurance carrier to obtain pre-authorization. My staff will submit that information and acquire the authorization, and photos and such will be taken during the initial consultation.   I prefer to meet a second time with each patient prior to surgery to assure complete understanding of the her desires from her Breast Reduction Surgery operation.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR A BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE

If you have concerns about the size of your breasts, and they are causing medical problems described above, you may be a candidate for a Breast Reduction Surgery. This type of surgery can alleviate those symptoms like back and shoulder pain and improve your overall self confidence and self esteem.

The best candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery are healthy women who are realistic about what the surgery can afford after a complete consultation. Younger women, who have reached puberty, are also candidates. Breast Reduction Surgery can be performed for all breast sizes, and technique may differ, depending on your particular needs. Pregnancy may stretch the breasts again after surgery, offsetting the results of the procedure, and ability to breast feed may be affected, depending on the technique utilized.

THE BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE

There are various techniques employed for Breast Reduction Surgery, and I am adept at all of them. I try to choose the best procedure to match your particular needs, anatomy and skin type. The most common procedures are those involving anchor shaped scars or lollipop shaped scars.

Depending on the size of your breasts, the desired post-operative size and the technique utilized, a Breast Reduction  may take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Breast Reduction is performed in a hospital out-patient setting or in office-based ambulatory facilities. Usually, general anesthesia is required, administered by board certified anesthesiologists. Many insurance companies continue to recognize the medical necessity for breast reduction and will finance a hospital procedure. Some insurance companies require a  minimum volume of tissue to be removed to cover the procedure.

The most commonly used technique involves an inverted-T-shaped incision similar to the most common breast lift incision. Newer techniques with shorter scars are available, but these techniques do not apply to many patients.

In most techniques, the nipple remains attached to the breast, but is moved upward, back to a more aesthetic position. This technique, preservers the nerves, and sensation and the ability to breast feed is usually maintained. If breasts are massive and pendulous, then it is sometimes necessary to remove the nipple, and  replace it as a skin graft. If this procedure is required, then there will be no nipple sensation after  surgery and the ability to breast feed will be lost.

Women with massive breasts requiring this  technique, usually have lost nipple sensation anyway, secondary to constant stretch of the nerves from the weight. Liposuction may be added to the procedure for removal of fat primarily at the outer portions of the breast.

Scars on the breasts are an inevitable consequence of this type of surgery, but I close the skin with great care and offer advice and support regarding scar care after surgery.

BREAST REDUCTION RECOVERY

After the operation, you may have surgical drains which usually remain in place for approximately 24 hours. Your breasts will be bandaged either in elastic Ace wrap type bandages or in a surgical bra. The dressings are usually changed a few days following the procedure and stitches are ready to begin being removed approximately one week later. The healing process may be affected by smoking and concurrent medical problems such as diabetes. Occasionally, small areas of open skin at the corners of the incisions may occur. These are typically treated with antibiotic ointments and heal without great concern.

If you choose an outpatient setting, instead of the hospital, then the Breast Reduction operation is performed in my state of the art, fully certified operative suite in my office located on the Upper East Side in New York. Depending on the procedure, I utilize either general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation, administered by one of our experienced, board certified anesthesiologists. Recovery after surgery takes 1-2 hours, with my RN at your side at all times.
For your safety, I require that a friend, family member or private duty nurse accompany you home and spend at least one night with you.

You will be given a follow-up appointment with me in 1 to 3 days. Most of my patients return to work within 4-7 days postoperatively, and pain after surgery is well controlled with pain medication. My staff and I will counsel you regarding all aspects of scar care to achieve the best possible, least noticeable scars.

I have a great deal of experience with all aspects of Breast Reduction Surgery, and comfortably possess the required expertise to allow me to achieve the best possible results for you.
If you have excessively large breasts which hamper your physical activity, cause physical symptoms, or create a sense of extreme self-consciousness, you may be a candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery. Ready for a consultation? Contact me today.

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SCARRING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

In order to reduce the size of the breasts, and essentially rebuild the breast mound, excessive skin and breast tissue must be removed (cut away), tissue shifted, and nipples moved upwards.
This requires cutting the skin, and, unfortunately scars result. However, Breast Reduction Surgery carries the highest level of patient satisfaction, even with the scarring!

CAN I BREAST FEED AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

Many times, breast feeding after Breast Reduction Surgery is possible, but not guaranteed.
Factors like surgical technique, anatomy and quality of milk producing tissue remaining after surgery influence the ability to breast feed postoperatively.

AT WHAT AGE CAN MY DAUGHTER HAVE BREAST REDUCTION?

Ideally, your daughter should be healthy and fully developed, meaning that puberty has been reached. Usually a young woman can consider Breast Reduction Surgery after reaching age 16.
Any sooner, she may not be mentally mature enough to handle the surgery.

WHY DO I HAVE TO QUIT SMOKING PRIOR TO SURGERY?

Smoking significantly affects the way you heal and the quality of your scarring. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, choking the flow of blood to your skin and breast tissue. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients, so decreasing that supply can cause vital tissue to die after being cut during surgery. You must agree to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your operation, or I will not agree to do your surgery, it is THAT important.

WILL BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY AFFECT NIPPLE SENSATION?

Nipple sensation and nipple erection should not be affected, but you may experience greater or less sensation for a brief time after surgery while recovering, but sensation should return to normal shortly thereafter.