Breast Reduction
Maryland Brings levity, relief and peace of mind

What is breast reduction?

Women who are large-breasted may experience back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, rashes and skin irritation, grooving of bra straps into the shoulders, numbness in the fingertips, and posture problems. Difficulty with performing everyday tasks such as childcare, physical exercise and recreational activities may also present a problem. A negative body image can take its toll emotionally as well.

Our Baltimore breast reduction surgery helps lighten the breasts and improve on physical symptoms, with removal of excessive breast tissue and lifting of the nipple. The goal is to improve form and function. Incisions associated with breast reduction range from under the breast, to peri-areolar, to “lollipop,” to “anchor” shaped incisions, depending on presentation and patient tolerance for scarring. Breast reduction surgery may be combined with abdominoplasty or liposuction to rejuvenate and improve the overall contour of the torso.

Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast Reduction is a very common procedure that has a very high satisfaction rate! Listen in as Dr. Michele Shermak talks about breast reduction surgery and what all it entails.

Candidacy at a glance:

• Breasts are fully developed and have stopped growing
• Client has no plans to get pregnant or to breastfeed
• Client experiences a variety of symptoms including chaffing, fatigue and back pain
• Client movement may be mildly or severely restricted
• Breasts may suffer from asymmetry
• Nipples may be low-hanging or below the breast crease
• Clients should be healthy, both physically and psychologically, with no major medical issues
• Clients should have realistic expectations for improvement rather than perfection

How is breast reduction performed?

Your breast reduction will be performed in a surgery center or hospital under anesthesia, as an outpatient, meaning you will go home from the Recovery Room.

Once anesthesia is administered, surgery is performed as Dr. Shermak will describe in consultation. Incisions include an incision around the nipple areolar complex (often with reduction of the nipple areolar diameter) with an extension down the middle of the breast, and possibly including an incision along the crease under the breast. Through these incisions, the nipple areolar width will be reduced, excess breast tissue along the outer, inner and/or upper breast will be removed, skin will be tightened, the breasts will be narrowed and lifted, and symmetry will be obtained. Dr. Shermak will reshape your breasts to be firmer, rounder and lighter, with higher position of your nipples.

Your breast reduction procedure may take anywhere between 2-3 hours. Drain tubes are only placed for really large reductions. Your breast incisions will be closed and bandaged to maintain the desired results as you heal. Bandages will remain in place until the first followup appointment, typically 4-7 days after surgery. Then you can shower and follow instructions provided for your care.

What is the recovery like for breast reduction?

Surgery is performed as an outpatient in our ambulatory surgery center, or may be performed in the hospital with or without an overnight stay. One may experience temporary discomfort, swelling, or numbness. Dr. Shermak will prescribe the necessary painkillers to ensure your post-operative comfort.

Most women resume regular activities and return to low impact activity after 2 weeks. Heavy exercise and lifting are discouraged for a month. Drains placed during surgery come out within 1-7 days depending on the surgical procedure performed.

Dr. Shermak will outfit you with a surgical bra, which helps alleviate discomfort and injury to the healing incisions for the first 2 months after surgery.

What is the cost of breast reduction in Baltimore?

If insurance will not cover the cost of breast reduction surgery, your specific procedural costs will depend on the type of breast reduction performed, time anticipated for surgery, and whether it will be combined with other surgical procedures. Your estimated cost may range from $8,000-$8,500.

Breast reduction using liposuction

For some candidates, breast reduction can be done using liposuction. Breast reduction with liposuction is done by removing the excess fat cells through tiny incisions around the breasts. Tiny incisions are precisely made and the fat is suctioned out using a small vacuum known as a cannula. Liposuction can be used for small reductions in patients who desire barely visible scars or for patients who have complicated medical histories that may challenge healing.

How old are women who undergo breast reduction?

A breast reduction is permanent because the skin, fat and tissue removed during a breast reduction cannot come back. Do keep in mind that gaining weight can cause new fat to be deposited in the breasts, which could significantly increase their size. Some women who undergo surgery at a young age, and then go on to having children and/or going through menopause may require re-reduction, but there will be no additional new scars.

Is breast reduction permanent?

Patients range from teenagers to mature women in their 60’s. Women need to be symptomatic at the younger and older ends of the spectrum, allowing for cosmetic application for women in the mid range who might not be really large but desire a small reduction and lift. Younger women need to understand the surgery, the scars and the required steps to recovery in order to be optimal candidates. They also need to be complete in their breast growth or so large that surgery will stop continued enlargement. Older women need to be healthy with limited risk factors for healing issues or surgical problems.

What kind of scars can I expect with Breast Reduction surgery?

Scars come in 3 varieties. With liposuction, only 3-4 small incisions will be made on either side, barely visible. With only a limited, small reduction, a lollipop incision may result, with an incision around the nipple and down the breast midline. Standard reductions typically have a keyhole incision, including the lollipop with incision along the crease under the breast.

Dr. Shermak is particularly focused on achieving the best possible scar outcome and she will discuss with her patients steps they need to take to optimize scar outcome, depending on where the patient is on her timeline since surgery.

Will I lose sensation in my nipples?

Typically nipple sensation in a large breast with low positioned nipples is low. Breast reduction more often results in a more sensate nipple, though about 10% of the time, sensation may be low after surgery.

Do women tend to be satisfied after breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery boasts one of the highest satisfaction rates as the procedure reduces preoperative symptoms, like back, neck and shoulder pain, posture problems, bra strap grooving, skin hygiene issues and chest discomfort. Sometimes healing challenges are encountered, but evenso the resolution of symptoms lead to a high satisfaction rate.