Breast Reduction in Grand Rapids, MI

Why Should I Consider Breast Reduction Surgery?

Macromastia is a medical condition that describes excessively large breasts in women, and can be very uncomfortable attribute many patients. For patients who suffer with this condition, their disproportionately large breasts are often the source of both physical and emotional stress. (In men, this condition is known as Gynecomastia.) Patients who are seeking breast reduction surgery are often concerned with:

• Breasts that limit their physical activity
• Back and/or neck pain associated with the size of their breasts
• Nerve pain, numbness, or tingling that could be attributed to large breasts
• Breasts that seem too large for the size of their bodies
• Breasts that cause skin issues and irritations

What to Expect with Breast Reduction Surgery?

During your initial call to our practice, we will discuss all of your concerns in relationship to your breast size and determine if a consultation is the right next step for you. The consultation will include a detailed description of the procedure, examples of patient outcomes, and the chance for you to ask questions and explain your concerns.

In most breast reduction procedures, the surgeon removes excess tissue and skin, creating a smaller, firmer breast, and raises the nipple and areolas higher on the breast to accommodate the new breast proportions, and create a smaller, natural looking breast. A breast lift is frequently included to create a more youthful appearance. The breast reduction procedure is most commonly performed under general anesthesia.

What to Expect During Your Recovery from Breast Reduction Surgery

Since your surgery will be performed using anesthesia, you'll feel very sleepy and may not even remember your procedure. It's crucial that you have a caregiver who can be with you on the day of surgery and stay to help you for the first 24-48 hours at a minimum. Breast reduction surgery causes mild to moderate discomfort in most patients. You'll be prescribed medications to alleviate your pain and be given garments and other items for your recovery by our office. Most patients start feeling well enough to return to work within 1-2 weeks of surgery. Some activities such as heavy lifting may need to be modified for longer. Our expert staff will help you to prepare for your recovery, and will be available to address any concerns that you may have every step of the way.

The final results of your breast reduction will take time to become apparent (about six months), but your breasts will be noticeably smaller and lighter immediately following surgery. Most patients experience swelling that can last weeks or even months following the procedure. This swelling will be more noticeable in the first few weeks and diminish over time. Your scars will be very red and "angry" looking right after surgery, but should begin to fade slowly as well. There are steps you can take to care for your scars.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?

The best candidates for breast reduction surgery are healthy, non-smoking adults at a stable weight who are bothered by the large size of their breasts. Some candidates are experiencing physical complications that merit the procedure for medical reasons. Others are simply seeking surgical intervention for aesthetic reasons. Either way, at the Centre for Plastic Surgery we will help you to discover if a breast reduction is right for you.