Navigating Breast Reduction Expectations
Hello! My name is Lindsey Beville, PA-C, and I have been a board-certified Physician Assistant for the past 20 years. I have now worked at Park & Rebowe Clinic for Plastic Surgery for eight years. I am sure many of you are curious about the steps and process for a Breast Reduction consultation and surgery. You may also be anxious about even making the first step to call for a consultation. Allow me to explain what to expect at our Mobile Breast Reduction Clinic, and during your consultation we will try to answer some of the questions you might have to calm your jitters!
Your Surgical Path to Comfort
When you make an appointment for a Breast Reduction consultation, you will be making an appointment to see me first.
I will become your personal guide through all curves of the road ahead of you-consultation, examination, insurance approval, pre-op, surgery, recovery, and post-op appointments. Over the years, I have become an expert in consultations at our Breast Reduction Clinic in Mobile, and I take pride and joy in discussing this surgery, examining you, and helping you to feel comfortable about the possibility of a procedure that will change your life!
A New Beginning: Understanding Breast Reduction
At your first consultation appointment, we will discuss the surgical procedure in great detail. Have all of your questions ready because I will be prepared to answer them! Photos will be taken of you for insurance purposes only. I will examine you and take many measurements that are necessary to submit to your insurance company in order to obtain insurance approval.
After the physical examination, I will discuss in more detail about your current size, what size you would like to be ideally, and how much I feel can be removed safely while leaving you cosmetically beautiful. Certain plans allow us to submit your measurements online, and you may know within minutes whether you have been approved, allowing us to schedule your surgery and pre-op appointment with one of our plastic surgeons before you leave your appointment!
Some insurance companies require us to mail a letter with your measurements and pictures. If we have to mail a letter, it can take four to six weeks to get an answer from your insurance company. Once you have heard that you have been approved, you can then call our office to schedule your surgery and pre-op appointment. We do require a current mammogram within one year as well as a BMI <40 and preferably <35.
Steps to Transformation
Your pre-op appointment will be with one of our renowned surgeons, Dr. Christopher Park or Dr. Ryan Rebowe. During this appointment, you will be examined once again by the surgeon performing your surgery, and they will welcome any questions you have before your big day. Consent for surgery will also be signed by you on this day, and you will receive any medications you will need post-op. At this appointment, we will ensure you are ready for your surgical procedure.
Your surgery can be scheduled at any of the facilities where we operate: Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, Springhill Hospital, Gulf Coast Surgical Center, Providence Hospital, USA Children’s and Women’s, Thomas Hospital, or TMC. remove the highlighted Usually, the facility is dictated by the day of surgery you desire and with whom your surgery is scheduled. The actual surgery usually takes around two and a half to three hours. All of the facilities offer impeccable care, and we will be there to help comfort and relieve your anxiety.
Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means you can be discharged with your loved ones on the same day. Spending the night in the hospital is a possibility if one of us feels it is necessary. This procedure eliminates excess tissue and restores the nipple/areola to its natural size and position. This leads to breasts that are not only more aesthetically pleasing but also more comfortable and proportionate.
Large, heavy breasts can cause various issues, such as neck and back pain, bra strap grooving, nerve compression in the upper extremities, as well as rashes or yeast infections. These challenges can be especially burdensome for younger women and teenagers. Those experiencing such difficulties could be potential candidates for breast reduction.
Excessively large breasts, often termed macromastia, can result from heightened sensitivity to estrogen, genetic factors, weight gain, or endocrine disorders. Teenagers may develop macromastia due to hormonal changes, known as virginal hypertrophy. In these cases, observation is recommended, as the condition may improve over time. However, if it significantly impacts one's well-being, a reduction mammoplasty can be a valuable solution.
Healing and Happiness
You will be sent home from our Breast Reduction Clinic in a bra or breast binder, so you do not need to purchase many bras before your surgery. If you want to have an extra breast garment at home for after your surgery, we recommend a soft, non-wired bra and one that fastens in the front.
You also may have a drain placed during surgery to remove any excess fluid during your post-op time. It will be important for you to record the drainage output and bring that record with you for your one-week post-op appointment. The medical facility will give you a drain log and post-op instructions. Feel free to call our office if you have any questions, though. We are always happy to answer your questions. I will see you back at our office approximately one-week post-op. I will remove your steri-strips and your drain if you have one at this time. Don’t worry; it doesn’t hurt to remove your drain!
Dressings will be reapplied, and we will discuss your activity limitations and what to expect for the weeks ahead. Recovery time for a breast reduction is usually around two weeks off of work and four to six weeks until you are back to exercising and resume normal activities. We like to see you one week, one month, three months, and one year post-op to examine your results, answer questions, and hear about your fantastic results. We never hear complaints about this surgery, and our patients always have smiles on their faces because their lives have been forever changed!
Patients always ask what complications we see from breast reduction surgery. While this is considered a major surgery, there are few complications we typically see after surgery. There are always risks associated with surgery and general anesthesia, but we treat you as one of our own family members and aim to keep you as safe as possible throughout your surgery. Sometimes, a patient may get a small “T” wound where we pull all three skin edges together at the base of the breast.
Most of the time, local wound care, including antibiotic ointment or wet-to-dry dressings, will heal this area up within one to two weeks. You may experience irritation from the steri-strips, a change in sensitivity to the nipples (usually slightly more sensitive), or even discoloration of the skin, especially the areolas in African American patients. These complications are rare, but we do see them from time to time. We are here for you if you experience any of these complications, and we will do all we can to get you completely healed as quickly as possible.
Many patients also ask about adding other cosmetic procedures at the same time as their breast reduction surgery. It is very common for us to perform other surgical procedures at the time of a breast reduction. Other standard procedures include liposuction, abdominoplasty, and body contouring. We would love to discuss these other add-on surgeries with you!
Empowerment in Progress
I hope that I have been able to answer some of your questions and calm your fears regarding breast reduction surgery. I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite surgeries because the results are immediate, and I get to see how much this can change a patient’s life. I look forward to meeting you in person and guiding you throughout your journey! To learn more about our Breast Reduction Clinic Mobile patients should call us at (251) 340-6600.
This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The results have improved my whole body image and have even enhanced my marriage. The size and shape is exactly what I’d hoped for.”
— Mobile Plastic Surgery Patient
Led by our experienced and board-certified plastic surgeons, The Park & Rebowe Clinic for Plastic Surgery brings an artful touch to your Mobile & Fairhope plastic surgery experience, ensuring you achieve your desired transformation. Schedule your consultation today and discover for yourself why The Park & Rebowe Clinic is better by design.