Dr. Lee has a variety of techniques to customize your Breast Reduction using a short scar technique, liposuction, or a traditional approach.

There are many types of Breast Reductions, and there are advantages and disadvantages to most of them. Dr. Lee can help determine which type of Breast Reduction will be best for you.

If you are unhappy with the size of your breasts, then Breast Reduction may be a possibility. Breast Reductions are generally not performed until the breasts have fully developed, so reductions are not typically performed before the patient has reached the age of 18.

Wide fluctuations in weight are also not a good time to have a reduction because weight changes can increase and decrease the size of the breasts.

Insurance companies may cover Breast Reduction surgery if the breasts are large enough related to your height and weight and you have significant symptoms from the breasts. Sometimes, physical therapy and weight loss must be attempted prior to breast surgery.

There is discomfort for a few days after the procedure although the procedure is an outpatient surgery. The surgery takes usually 2-3 hours. There is bruising and swelling that lasts 1-2 weeks after surgery.

Activity and exercise can start 2-3 weeks after surgery depending how you are healing. Most people take one week off of work.

The common risks associated with Breast Reduction include infection, small areas of skin breakdown, unfavorable scarring, and bleeding. Other more rare risks of Breast Reduction include: injury to the sensation of the nipple, asymmetry, and loss of part or the whole nipple.

A breast reduction in Chicago is generally performed after skeletal and breast maturity is reached. For most women, reductions are best performed after eighteen years of age. Sometimes, pregnancy and weight gain can increase breast size later in life and can increase the need for another Breast Reduction.

Macromastia (large breasts) has been shown in many studies to cause a variety of symptoms including neck, shoulder, and back pain as well as a rash (intertrigo). The weight of the breasts can cause shoulder grooving from bra straps as well as interfere with daily activities and exercise.

There are also many studies which show relief of back pain and increased activity with a Breast Reduction. Insurance companies have a variety of criteria for approving Breast Reduction. There is usually a minimum amount that needs to be respected based on a woman’s height and weight as well as documentation of weight loss (if weight is an issue), and sometimes physical therapy.

If these criteria are met, then a reduction is usually covered by insurance. If not, Breast Reduction can be performed for cosmetic reasons, and it will also still improve symptoms.

There are many techniques for a Short Scar reduction. In the appropriate patient, Dr. Lee performs a technique that creates a rounder breast using a shorter scar which does not have a horizontal component. These patients are usually 1 or 2 cups sizes larger than they want to be and the nipple position is not too low. Ask Dr. Lee about his Short Scar technique at your consultation.

If the nipple position is acceptable and the size is only 1 or 2 cups sizes too large, a Liposuction reduction can also be performed. The benefit of this procedure is almost no visible scarring as there are only 2 incisions per breast that measure less than ½ inch in size.

Although breast tissue is removed, there is still enough glandular tissue to breast feed after reduction. It is difficult to determine what percentage of women can breastfeed after a reduction because the difficulty of breastfeeding for all women is still high (usually 30-40%).

Breast Reduction removes breast tissue but the remaining breast tissue can grow larger with pregnancy or weight gain. It is possible to require another reduction in the future if there are significant changes in weight or having children. With age, breast tissue becomes smaller but breast fat becomes more prevalent.

The price of your breast reduction surgery will be determined by the complexity of your procedure and whether you choose to combine it with a breast lift or other cosmetic surgery. Once he has determined the best treatment approach for you, Dr. Lee will explain the details of your surgery as well as the cost.