Plastic Surgery Questions from BizyMoms.

Dr. Robert J. Brueck, Board Certified Fort Myers plastic surgeon, has been asked by the web site, BizyMoms.com, to answer questions from their guests about cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. In this instance, the questions were about breast reduction surgery.

What (precisely) is breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is trying to take a large pendulous breast and make it smaller. This will relieve some of the neck, back and shoulder pain that many women suffer from.

What should one expect after breast reduction surgery?

The biggest thing will be perkier, smaller, less painful breasts. Most women enjoy the greater degree of freedom they possess to exercise and do their normal daily activities.

What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?

The biggest benefit is that a patient can resume a more normal life style and be more active without having to deal with large, cumbersome breasts. It really becomes a quality of life issue.

What does breast reduction surgery involve?

This (breast reduction surgery) is done as an out-patient procedure and takes about 2-3 hours. The patient goes to recovery for an hour or two and goes home. The first 4 days I tell my patients to take it easy. After that they can let comfort be their guide. Real hard physical activity can be resumed in 3-4 weeks.

How many techniques are there for breast reduction surgery?

There are several techniques too numerous to mention. Some surgeons will vary their technique based on the volume of tissue to be removed. Some surgeons will only perform liposuction but this in my opinion is not a good choice.

What are the risks involved of breast reduction surgery?

There are always the risks of anesthesia. But, more specifically, the risks include bruising, swelling, scarring, possible infection, loss of a nipple or both, asymmetry. This operation is particularly more risky in a smoker. I ask my patients to quit (smoking) 2 weeks before to help minimize wound healing problems.

Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?

Obviously a patient must be in good physical health. The operation is done as an out-patient and usually takes about 2-3 hours. A person who has persistent neck, back and shoulder pain is a good candidate. Also, some women will have persistent rashes under their breasts which makes reduction a welcome relief.

How much does a breast reduction cost?

The cost for a breast reduction is $5-7,000 plus the cost of anesthesia, the operating room and a pathological analysis of the breast tissue.

Cosmetic Surgery Grows in Popularity

So, what’s hot in cosmetic surgery now?

A pleasant surprise is the resurgence in the number of people wanting face lifts. The number of face lifts done in 2007 was 14% more than the number performed in 2006. This may reflect the fact that fillers and botulinum (or botox) can only do so much to rejuvenate one’s face. If there is redundant skin then only a face lift will provide a solution.

Breast augmentation numbers showed and increase of 6% more than the number done in 2006.

Breast reductions increased 2%, while gynecomastion (male breast surgery) operations increased 7%.

Overall there were 12 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2007 a 7% increase over 2006.

The following were the top five surgical procedures:

1. Breast augmentation (348,000 - up 6%)

2. Liposuction (302,000 - unchanged)

3. Rhinoplasty (285,000 - down 7%)

4. Blephoroplasty eyelids (241,000 - up 3%)

5. Abdominoplasty (148,000 - up 1%)

Non-invasive, non-surgical procedures continue their high demand. There were nearly 10 million minimally invasive procedures performed.

1. Botox (4.6 million - up 13%)

2. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (1.1 million - up 35%)

3. Chemical Peels (1 million - down 4%)

4. Laser Hair Removal (906,000 - up 2%)

5. Microdermabrasion (897,000 - up 10%)

There you have it! The battle to turn back the hands of time continues.

If you're thinking of fighting your own "battle", contact me about procedures and financing we have available to help you have a good (looking) summer.