BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON IN RENO

Breast reduction is performed to treat a condition called breast hypertrophy (overgrowth). It is commonly recommended for women who suffer from neck, back and shoulder pain with digging bra straps and occasionally, rashes under the breasts. Breast hypertrophy may occur in young developing females, as well as mature women. Therefore, candidates for breast reduction surgery include fully developed adolescent females and any woman with breast hypertrophy who wishes to have smaller breasts.

Women who wish to nurse should wait until they are finished having children prior to undergoing breast reduction surgery. Patients should be in good health and not smoke 6 weeks before and after surgery. If possible, obese patients should attempt to lose weight prior to breast reduction surgery as postoperative weight loss may further diminish breast size. Dr. Dahan has performed hundreds of breast reduction procedures. Patients undergoing breast reduction surgery by Dr. Dahan tend to experience significant cosmetic, physical and psychological benefits.

Breast reduction surgery is also commonly performed in breast cancer patients who wish to reduce the size of the larger noncancerous breast in order to match the reconstructed cancerous breast. Dr. Dahan also performs a breast reduction technique to remove cancerous and noncancerous masses from large breasts.

During your consultation with Dr. Dahan, he will examine your breasts to determine the exact size, weight, symmetry, and amount of excess or loose skin. He will also check for masses and suspicious lesions. Dr. Dahan will assess your nipple sensation prior to surgery. Women over 40 years of age should have a mammogram within one year prior to breast reduction surgery. Your first annual mammogram after breast reduction will become your new baseline mammogram for future reference.

Dr. Dahan tailors each breast reduction surgery to the individual patient. There are a few different surgical techniques, but most plastic surgeons learn only one of them. Reno plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip E. Dahan offers two excellent breast reduction techniques including the Wise Pattern Breast Reduction and Vertical Breast Reduction. All breast reduction techniques are performed under general anesthesia in a surgery center as an outpatient or with an overnight stay. Some patients, particularly with larger breasts, may need to have drain tubes placed to reduce the risk of blood or fluid collection and to minimize bruising and swelling. The breasts are dressed with nonadherent gauze and a snug Ace wrap compression dressing for comfort and support.

The Wise Pattern Breast Reduction is typically best for women who have very large and pendulous breasts. There is usually significant excess and stretched skin which needs to be resected in order to achieve the best shape, lift, and symmetry. The nipple-areola complex is reduced (but not detached) with a circumareolar incision, and a lower vertical midline, as well as an inframammary fold incision, are made (anchor scar).

The nipple-areola complex with its blood and nerve supply remains attached to a pedicle of the mid-lower breast tissue. Breast tissue from the inner, outer and upper aspects of the breasts are removed reducing the 3-dimensional size of the breasts, lifting the breast tissue and repositioning the nipple areolar complex in a more youthful and attractive position. These incisions are then sutured meticulously to reduce the scars.

In Dr. Dahan’s hands, these incisions tend to heal very well and become inconspicuous scars over time. Dr. Dahan’s patients are always surprised to see how minimal the scars are and how little discomfort there is with this operation.

Unlike many plastic surgeons, Dr. Dahan almost never removes the nipple areola complex during breast reduction surgery preserving its sensation and pigmentation which is very much appreciated by his patients.

The Vertical Breast Reduction technique eliminates the scar that runs underneath the breast. The scars on this reduction technique are around the nipple areolar complex and straight down the mid lower breast (lollipop scar). This technique is useful in women who have a smaller volume reduction and less skin to remove. Like the other technique of breast reduction, the scars in these areas are well tolerated and tend to fade very well. Unfortunately, this technique is less consistent in preserving nipple sensation.

Dr. Dahan will see you in his office the next day to change your dressing and answer all of your questions. If drain tubes were placed, they may be removed anytime between 1-7 days after surgery. You may shower 2-3 days after surgery after which you will wear a sports bra for support and comfort. Dr. Dahan will remove your sutures 7-10 days after surgery. Recovery time may vary, but most patients return to school or work within 5-10 days. Return to exercise and normal activities usually occur 3-4 weeks after surgery.

There is typically mild to moderate discomfort, bruising and swelling associated with this procedure. Pain medications, antibiotics and anti-nausea medication prescribed by Dr. Dahan will minimize discomfort and significantly reduce the risk of complications. There may be some changes in breast skin and nipple sensation which may be temporary or permanent. Less than 1% of Dr. Dahan’s breast reduction patients experience permanent nipple sensory loss, and many will state that nipple sensation actually improves. The application of scar creams such as Silagen or Bio-Corneum will significantly reduce scarring.