Breast Reduction offered in Cleveland, OH

There are two main types of incisions used for breast reductions. The Vertical Pattern Breast Reduction involves creation of a circular scar around the areola, as well as a scar from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breast at the front of the breast.

A Wise Pattern Breast Reduction creates a ‘keyhole’ shaped scar that, in addition to scars from the Vertical Pattern, creates a scar underneath the breast, sitting along the fold between the breast and the chest skin.

Both of these types of breast reduction surgeries can result in significant removal of excess breast tissue. When you come in for a consultation, we can recommend the right procedure for you. Contact our office today by calling or booking online to see which treatment is right for you.

This depends on whether you have symptoms related to your breasts, whether the size of the breasts interfere with daily living, whether you are overweight or obese, and whether or not sufficient breast tissue can be removed to improve your symptoms. Your insurer will likely require documentation from healthcare providers that you have tried and failed non-surgical interventions (medication, physical therapy, healthy diet) for a period of time prior to pursuing surgery. Some insurance companies have very specific requirements for coverage, but it is always best to check directly with your insurance provider.

Bring all pertinent documentation with you to your consultation appointment. Include notes from your primary care doctor, records from a physical therapist, and mammogram, or other imaging or test results. One of our surgeons will perform a breast examination, obtain your height and weight, and take photos to send to your insurance company. Based on your height and weight, the surgeon will calculate a number called your Body Surface Area (BSA). The BSA is compared to the Schnur Scale to determine how much breast tissue is necessary to remove for insurance to consider coverage.

If you have significantly drooping breasts with a large amount of extra tissue, a Wise Pattern Reduction may be recommended. This will result in a full anchor shaped scar on the breast. If you have significant loose or extra skin from the side of your breast to underneath your arm, the scar might even extend onto your chest in order to remove the excess skin.

Vertical Pattern scars are typically reserved for smaller breast reductions where there is not a large amount of skin or breast tissue to remove. Vertical Pattern Breast Reductions are usually combined with liposuction of the breast in order to achieve a reduced breast size.

Breast surgery is usually very well tolerated. There will be restrictions on your activity for about 4 weeks following surgery to reduce the risk of complications and provide the best results. A surgeon from our Institute will prescribe pain medications to help keep you comfortable following surgery; most people require some sort of pain medication for the first 3-5 days. After this period of time, most women take over-the-counter medication to control discomfort while they heal.

The use of drains depends on the amount of tissue removed during a breast reduction as well as the quality of your breast tissue. If more than 1 kilogram of breast tissue is removed from each breast, you may need a drain to reduce the risk of tissue fluid collection development. Surgical drains may be placed for other reasons also; they may be in place for 1 day to 2 weeks following breast reduction, but on average are usually removed by the end of the first week after surgery.

You should not drive while you are taking sedating medications, which might include narcotics or muscle relaxants. You should also not plan to drive within the first 1-2 weeks following breast reduction, as your incisions may be strained by too much arm motion. Arm motion can cause your healing tissues to produce extra fluid and swelling, which could result in the formation of a seroma. Be sure to consult with our medical staff before driving anywhere, even short distances.