Breast Reduction Lexington KY

Not only can the surgery reduce the size and weight of heavy breasts, but Dr. Gerstle can help achieve the shape you would like as well. Because we are removing tissue rather than adding it in, it is relatively easy to create a shape where there used to be just volume. Most breast reductions are performed alone, but some patients can benefit from additional body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or liposuction at the same time. Book your appointment today at our Lexington, KY office

location, PLLC, request a consultation or call our office at (859) 279-2111.

Safety of Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction is typically a safe, successful surgery that almost all patients are relieved to have undergone. As with any surgical procedure, there are pros and cons. It’s important to know the risks, even if they are rare.

Allergies to any of the materials used in the surgery are possible—tape, glue, sutures, and even the local or general anesthesia used during the procedure. Hematoma and blood clots are also possible.

In terms of the outcome, patients occasionally find that they are dissatisfied with the shape of their new breasts, or they may feel that the two breasts are not as closely symmetrical as they’d hoped. The need for a revision surgery could arise, but a thorough exam and detailed consultation with Dr. Gerstle ensures that this will not be necessary.

In terms of breast functionality down the line, there is a chance that you may not be able to breastfeed, or you may lose partial or full sensation in the nipple. Unfavorable scarring or other damage to the tissues involved could also result, but again, we take every precaution to ensure that you are happy with the outcome and that it’s as safe as it possibly can be.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

There are several approaches that Dr. Gerstle can take to reduce breast size. He will discuss the best one with you when you meet in our office.

Sometimes, liposuction alone may be used in breast reduction surgery. This eliminates the need for multiple incisions per breast and is the simplest and most straightforward approach when warranted. If your excess size is due mostly to excess fatty tissue, you have good skin tone, and you are only looking for a minor to moderate change in size, liposuction may be used. In addition to causing the least amount of scarring, the liposuction procedure is less invasive and quicker than the other options.

A more complex case that requires removal of excess tissue, saggy and stretched skin, and breasts that require significant reshaping will require a more complex surgical technique.

A vertical or “lollipop” breast reduction is appropriate for women with a moderate amount of excess breast tissue to be removed. The incision pattern used with this technique allows the breast to be lifted and reshaped alongside of fat removal. Scarring with this technique is kept to a minimum and will appear beneath the nipple line only.

An inverted-T or “anchor” breast reduction is the choice of procedure when a great change in breast size and position is desired. This procedure requires three incisions, giving the surgeon greater access for tissue removal and reshaping. The nipple tissue may also be reshaped and resized, and even repositioned higher onto the smaller breast. As with the vertical procedure, some scarring will be visible on the breast, but all efforts are made to hide scarring in the breast crease beneath your new breast. There should not be any visible scarring in a bathing suit.

Breast Reduction Post Op

Most patients are able to go home just a few hours after the surgery is complete. Be sure to have someone available who can take you home. You will be given detailed instructions as to what type of bra to wear, pain medications to take, and how to care for any drains (if they are placed). Dr. Gerstle will schedule a follow up appointment with you within a week, but he is always readily available to his patients by phone and email.

Take several days to rest following the procedure. While breast reduction is a relatively minor surgery, your body will still need time to recover. Dr. Gerstle will give you prescription pain killers for the first few days in case they are necessary.

Once you’ve rested and your pain is manageable, you may be able to return to a desk job and light household activities. Walking is OK, but follow Dr. Gerstle’s guidelines regarding when you may begin to exercise again; it will take at least three to four weeks before you can do vigorous movement without disturbing the incisions. Avoid any heavy lifting, even picking up small children, until your incisions have healed.