Serving Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County & Nearby Areas of Tennessee
One of the most life-changing procedures that Knoxville plastic surgeon Dr. Dean Kleto offers is breast reduction surgery. If you have spent your life in chronic pain, with back issues, unable to exercise properly, and unable to find well-fitting clothes because of your overly large breasts, having a breast reduction can bring immense relief.
The decision to reduce your breast size is a very personal one, and Dr. Kleto will listen to your concerns and goals to help you decide if this surgery is right for you. Call us today Breast reduction surgery has many benefits at 865.524.2442 to schedule your consultation.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery not only reduces the size of the breast, but it also lifts the nipple and reduces sagging, resulting in perkier, smaller breasts. To accomplish this, Dr. Kleto will employ an incision that goes partially around the areola, down the breast, and across the inframammary fold at the base of the breasts.
This incision is necessary in order to remove the excess glandular tissue and fat, and you will have a scar afterwards. However, Dr. Kleto is very experienced in performing breast reductions, and your scar should heal well enough that it’s practically invisible to a casual glance.
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and is an outpatient procedure. We recommend having a friend or family member take you home after your surgery, although you can call a taxi or ride share service if needed.
For the first few days, you should refrain from physical activity besides walking around.
Most of our patients are able to return to work after about a week following surgery. Dr. Kleto will give you instructions and a basic recovery timeline, and will see you for periodic follow-up appointments to make sure you are healing properly.
Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery is one of the most rewarding procedures you can have if your breasts are overly large or pendulous. Most of our patients who have undergone this procedure report a dramatic increase in quality of life, and are very happy that they had it done.
Some breast reduction surgery benefits include:
- Reduced back pain
- Reduced shoulder pain from bra straps
- Ability to exercise comfortably
- Ability to find better-fitting and more flattering bras and tops
- Reduced self-consciousness in public
- Fewer issues with irritation and sweat under the breasts
The physical and mental benefits of breast reduction surgery allow many patients to adopt a healthier lifestyle than they were able to before surgery. If you are finding that your breasts are interfering with your ability to live your best life, contact Dr. Kleto to discuss breast reduction.
Are You A Candidate for Breast Reduction?
If you suffer from overly large, pendulous, heavy breasts that cause back, neck, or shoulder pain, you may be a good candidate for a breast reduction. In addition, breast reduction can help correct asymmetry in certain candidates.
The ideal candidate for a breast reduction procedure:
- Has breasts that have reached their full development
- Does not plan to have more (or any) children in the future
- Does not need to breastfeed
- Has realistic expectations
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age, as long as your breasts have stopped developing. However, if you plan to have children, you may want to wait to have this procedure done. Pregnancy can cause changes in the breasts, and they may become larger or smaller, or change shape. In addition, the required incision around the areola for a breast reduction surgery can potentially affect your ability to breastfeed.
Breast Reduction Surgery Cost
Breast reduction is one of the few plastic surgery procedures that may be covered by insurance. This is because overly large breasts can cause physical problems that only surgery can correct. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to see if they will cover any part of your surgery.
If your insurance doesn’t cover breast reduction, or only covers part, we will work with you to help you pay for the procedure. We accept cash, credit card, and plastic surgery financing plans through CareCredit.
The cost of breast reduction surgery will depend on your individual case, and varies depending on such factors as the complexity of your surgery and whether or not you are having multiple procedures done. We will give you an exact quote after discussing your concerns and coming up with a custom treatment plan for you.
Common procedures that may be combined with breast reduction include tummy tuck or liposuction, for a full body makeover. In addition, although it may seem counterintuitive, breast augmentation can be combined with breast reduction. This option is ideal for women who want to reduce the size of their breasts but also want to give them a little more shape and fullness.
You won’t feel anything during the actual procedure because you will be safely anesthetized. You may be in a bit of pain and will certainly feel sore the first few days after surgery, but the pain lessens with each passing day. Expect some degree of soreness for 2-3 weeks. Pain medication may be prescribed to deal with the discomfort.
Dr. Kleto will discuss specific preoperative precautions with you, which include:
- Not smoking
- Not losing a significant amount of weight
- Ceasing use of medications that increase bleeding (NSAIDs, aspirin, herbal supplements - but talk to your general doctor before stopping any regular medication)
- Not wearing lotion, perfumes, deodorant or nail polish to surgery
- Not eating or drinking anything after the cutoff time the night before
We provide you with a list of pre- and postoperative instructions to refer to. You will need to arrange for someone to stay with you at the surgery, drive you home, and stay with you at home for at least 24 hours.
Like any surgery, breast reduction does carry the potential for adverse events, although these occurrences are not common. Dr. Kleto helps to reduce the risk of serious complications in part by carefully vetting your candidacy for the procedure. Some of the risks associated with breast reduction include:
- Allergic reactions
- Anesthesia reactions
- Asymmetrical results
- Clotting
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
These risks do sound alarming, but we encourage you to speak with Dr. Kleto before making any decisions. Dr. Kleto and our team take all measures to reduce risks and ensure your safety. We want each of our patients to make informed decisions, so we are committed to discussing both the risks and benefits of the procedure with you.
Yes, oftentimes it is possible to combine breast reduction with another procedure such as a breast lift. This can provide optimal rejuvenation and symmetry. It may also be possible to have breast reduction performed at the same time as a procedure elsewhere on your body, but you will need to first consult Dr. Kleto to see whether separating the surgical appointments is recommended.
The actual time at the surgery center could be between 2-5 hours, depending on various factors surrounding your procedure. You should plan to dedicate the whole day to the process. You won’t be able to do anything afterward other than go home and rest, and take light walks around the house. Your companion to the surgical appointment may want to bring along reading materials, electronic devices, work, etc., so they have something to do while they wait.
Results will of course vary by individual, but you can expect smaller, lighter, firmer breasts in a raised position. The overall contour may be more aesthetically pleasing. But it will take a few weeks to see these results. Although you may notice an immediate improvement after surgery, the results are somewhat concealed by swelling. As swelling goes down and the breasts settle into a natural position, you’ll see the final look of your rejuvenated breasts.
You should be cleared to return home after surgery, once we have monitored you for a while. You’ll feel groggy and start feeling sore as the anesthetic wears off. Plan to return home and rest, but also walk around your house to encourage proper healing.
Soreness will persist for 2-3 weeks, but it should gradually lessen during this time. Most people return to work after 1 week, provided the job is not too physically demanding. You will need to wait 4-6 weeks to resume strenuous activities and exercise. We will provide you with detailed instructions for diet, bathing, cleaning the area, driving, heavy lifting, and avoiding certain activities.
Schedule Your Breast Reduction Consultation
If you are interested in reducing the size of your breasts, call Dr. Kleto today at 865.524.2442 to schedule your consultation. We serve patients in Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County, and other nearby areas of Tennessee.