Skin rashes, shoulder and back pain, ill-fitting clothing and constantly trying to minimize your breasts shouldn’t be a lifestyle – and there is a solution.
Women with large breasts and musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and back may see improvement with a breast reduction procedure. Chronic rashes beneath your breasts and grooving in your shoulders from your bra strap may make you a candidate for the surgery. Most insurers provide coverage at age 18 but make exceptions on a case by case situation.
Each insurer has a set of requirements that need to be met to be considered for surgery, including a recent mammogram. These will be discussed at the time of your consultation. Your physician and their staff will guide you through the process from the first visit to obtaining the authorization. Surgery can be scheduled within two weeks of receiving the authorization.
The surgery is designed to reduce the size of the breast and then reposition the breast on the chest wall so the remaining weight is better distributed. This procedure is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and takes approximately three hours. Patients go home the same day and are seen for follow up and drain removal four days later. Wearing a sports bra 24/7 is recommended, except for showering, which is allowed once the drains are removed.
Upper extremity exercise is not recommended for one month, as well as being fitted for a new bra. Patients are amazed at how little pain they experience, and often remark that they wonder why they waited so long.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Mark Komorowski, M.D., sees patients at his office in Bay City and performs procedures at MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland. To learn more or to inquire about becoming a patient, contact Dr. Komorowski’s office at (989) 893-9393.
