Santa Monica and Beverly Hills-Area Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Jay Orringer – Breast Reduction Procedures

Women with large, heavy, pendulous breasts often complain of associated neck and back pain, postural changes, grooves in the shoulders from bra straps and frequent rashes beneath the breasts. In addition, very large breasts can make a woman feel out of proportion, make clothing more difficult to properly fit, and interfere with normal activities such as exercise.

At our Beverly Hills practice near Santa Monica, breast reduction surgery reduces the size and weight of the breasts. It also attempts to improve breast shape by elevating the nipple position and reducing redundant skin and underlying tissue of the breasts. While an incision is made around the nipple, the nipple is not removed but rather is left attached to the underlying breast tissue and repositioned to a higher location. The reduction in breast weight previously supported by the upper and lower back, neck and shoulders frequently improves symptoms and allows resumption of normal activities with greater comfort.

Breast reduction is usually performed on women whose breast development is complete. Ideally, it is done following completion of breast-feeding and childbearing. However, symptoms and psychosocial issues may not allow for delay until that time.

The Breast Reduction Surgery

Depending upon the extent of tissue removal, your overall health and your insurance plan (if relevant), the surgery is performed at either Saint John’s Hospital or the state-of-the-art Surgery Center of Santa Monica. During your breast reduction procedure, anesthesia is administered by board-certified anesthesiologists. Prior to surgery, Dr. Orringer will plan with you the new nipple position, skin and underlying tissue removal. Although an incision is made around the nipple, the nipple is not removed but rather is left attached to the underlying breast and repositioned to a higher location. Incisions and resulting scars will vary according to the degree of breast droop and the amount of skin and tissue to be removed. The simplest breast reduction incision involves a lollipop-like scar, while more extensive reductions involve an anchor-shaped scar that adds a scar in the fold of the breast.

At the completion of the breast reduction surgery, light tapes will be placed over the incisions and the breasts will be secured with a firm-fitting sports bra. You may go home after surgery, stay overnight at the hospital, or take advantage of the special accommodations at Serenity, our warm, comfortable facility in Santa Monica specifically set up for the postoperative care of breast reduction and other plastic surgery patients. A customized booklet that further discusses the breast reduction procedure, its risks, and what to do before and after your breast reduction surgery will be provided for you at your preoperative visit.

Insurance Considerations

In some instances, some or all of the cost of breast reduction surgeries may be covered by a patient’s insurance provider. As breast reduction surgeries are often done to alleviate pain and suffering rather than for purely cosmetic reasons, the surgery may be paid for. There are several qualifications that must be filled in order for this to happen; a patient must demonstrate that the weight of the breasts is causing back problems, or pain from bra straps, or other physical ailments. Further, it must be determined that the procedure will help alleviate these problems. Ask a staff member at Dr. Orringer’s Beverly Hills office for help in determining whether your breast reduction procedure will be covered, and what steps you must take.

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The Recovery

At surgery, Dr. Orringer will do nerve blocks to help control early discomfort. Patients usually can shower in two days. Arm use and motion is not restricted, although lifting associated with straining is not advised for at least two weeks following breast reduction surgery. The postoperative pain is usually the most severe during the first three days. It is usually well-controlled with oral pain medications. By the end of the first week, much of the pain has subsided and many normal activities can be resumed. Generally, full exercise activity is not recommended for three to four weeks after the operation. It is recommended that breast reduction patients wear a support bra at all times, except when showering, for the first postoperative month.

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What are some of the particular concerns regarding breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction patients tend to be very happy patients. However, there are some very important considerations that must be taken into account prior to proceeding. Breast reduction surgery results in permanent visible scars. While they fade over the first one to two years following surgery, they never disappear. In addition, there is a risk of loss of sensation to the nipple and to other areas of breast skin. Because this cannot be predicted, the surgery should not be done if this is an unacceptable risk. During your consultation at our Beverly Hills office all risks will be considered, and we will make sure you are ready long before we move forward at one of our Santa Monica surgery centers with your breast reduction procedure.

In this procedure, although the nipple position is elevated and the amount of excess skin hanging below the breast fold is reduced, there is not typically a long-term increase in upper breast volume, as is desired by many patients. Although the breasts are smaller, recurrent ptosis (drooping) of the breasts will occur due to stretching of the skin and the effects of gravity. The degree of breast reduction should also take into account the contour of the abdomen. While some patients wish to be “as small as they can be,” reduction to that degree tends to make a protruding abdomen look still larger. Thus, body proportions must be taken into account.

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Making the Decision

Every surgical procedure has inherent benefits, risks and limitations. Dr. Orringer wants you to feel comfortable asking any and every question that you may have at your initial consultation, preoperative visit to our Beverly Hills office, or at any time to assist you in determining whether breast reduction is right for you. Our staff will also work with you to determine whether your insurance company will help cover some or all of the costs of your breast reduction procedure.

Contact Dr. Orringer and his staff today at their practice in the Beverly Hills and Santa Monica areas with any questions or concerns you have about breast reduction procedures. We welcome patients from across California, the entire country, and internationally.

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