Is Breast Reduction Painful?

A breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and thus, it is pain-free. Post-surgery, most patients complain of bruising, swelling, and discomfort, which can be managed with pain medication and the use of compression garments.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most patients will need between four and six follow-up appointments. Dr. Ogilvie will have you return a week after surgery to monitor the recovery and remove the drains, if any. He will always let you know during your appointment if you need further appointments and when they will be.

How Long Until I See Results?

Most patients feel ready to return to work within a two-week period following surgery and can return to full activities at the six- to eight-week mark. On average, it will take three to four months for your breasts to fully heal and settle into their natural resting position, at which point you will see the final, more shapely results.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

The type of scar will depend on the type of incision used for your procedure. In terms of appearance, scars will start out red, then fade to pink, and eventually match your skin color. We recommend detailed scar and skin care to minimize their visibility.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Breast Reduction?

Do not resume strenuous exercise until after six to eight weeks. For the first six weeks, limit it to light walks and avoid anything that causes bouncing and strain on your incision sites.

Can I Combine a Breast Reduction with Other Procedures?

Absolutely, you can! Many of our patients who received a breast reduction in Chicago will combine their surgery with a Tummy Tuck , Liposuction , or Fat Transfer . If you are considering combining procedures, we suggest you bring this up with Dr. Ogilvie at your initial consultation so that he can discuss the feasibility and, if so, include these goals in your surgical plan.

What Are the Risks Associated with Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction comes with associated risks that are important to outline. Some are as follows: Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations, or injectable agents Anesthesia risks Bleeding Blood clots Breast asymmetry Breast contour and shape irregularities Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent. Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications Excessive firmness of the breast Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis) Fluid accumulation Infection Pain, which may persist Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Potential inability to breastfeed Potential loss of skin/tissue of breast where incisions meet each other Potential, partial, or total loss of nipple and areola Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling, and bruising Unfavorable scarring If you do feel like you are having any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office immediately.

How Do I Find the Best Chicago Breast Reduction Plastic Surgeon Near Me?

First and foremost, it is important that you make sure that the Chicago breast reduction plastic surgeon has board certifications. We recommend that you research their experience, hospital affiliations, and research work in the field. We also encourage you to read their past patient reviews and finally schedule a consultation to see how you feel in person. Make sure you feel included and heard and that it is a collaborative experience for you. It is very important to feel safe, heard, and trusted in this meeting.

Chicago, Il

Breast Reduction

Name: Ogilvie Plastic Surgery
Brand: Ogilvie Plastic Surgery
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)

Introduction to Breast Reduction

Overly large breasts can cause a significant number of aesthetic and physical issues. In many patients, breasts that are too large for one’s frame may cause chronic pain in the neck and back, leading to headaches as well. A breast reduction is designed to eliminate excess tissue from the breasts, diminishing the overall volume of each breast. Once the procedure has been completed, most patients feel healthier and more youthful. If you are interested in a breast reduction in Chicago, consider scheduling a consultation with dual board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Ogilvie at his Ogilvie Plastic Surgery practice.

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What is a Breast Reduction?

Reduction mammoplasty, more commonly known as breast reduction, is a surgical procedure used to reduce the volume of the breasts and provide a lift. While not as well publicized as other breast procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast reduction is no less important to patients who feel their breasts are too large for their bodies.

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Reduction?

While some people may desire to grow the volume of their breasts, for others, overly large breasts sometimes negatively affect their everyday lives and confidence. A breast reduction surgery in Chicago, IL, at Ogilvie Plastic Surgery gives you a number of advantages to renew your style and boost your quality of life, like:

Allows you to obtain more sleep
Boosts confidence and self-image
Corrects posture
Creates better body ratios
Enhances mobility and movement
Expands wardrobe options
Lifts and shapes the breasts
Lowering the volume and weight of the breasts
Makes working out and high-impact activities simpler
Minimizes skin irritation
Removes spinal pressure
Resizes the nipples

Who Are the Best Candidates For Breast Reduction?

If you’re considering undergoing a breast reduction procedure, you’ve likely been living with overly large breasts for some time. Breasts that are too large for your frame can develop for various reasons, from simple genetics to generalized aging. For most patients, a breast reduction will involve eliminating excess skin or volume from the breast.

In general, good candidates for breast reduction will:

Be generally healthy enough for surgery
Encounter frequent headaches caused by neck and back pain
Have a good understanding of what breast reduction can accomplish
Suffer from chronic back pain caused by the weight of the breasts
Suffer from chronic neck pain caused by the weight of the breasts
Want to achieve a more well-proportioned upper body

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Breast Reduction First Step

What’s the First Step?

The first step on any breast reduction journey is the consultation. During your consultation with Dr. Ogilvie, you will discuss the motivations behind your breast reduction and what you hope the procedure will achieve. Dr. Ogilvie will then recommend the best techniques to help you achieve the transformation you’re looking for.

Consultations usually last thirty to sixty minutes. You’ll have an opportunity to ask all the questions you might have. Dr. Ogilvie believes in a transparent and patient-centered approach to all his procedures, from the first meeting to your last follow-up appointment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation to start your breast reduction procedure.

What to Expect on the Day of Breast Reduction Surgery

A breast reduction procedure is nearly always performed on an outpatient basis. You will usually be able to return home the same day as your procedure after the initial effects of the anesthesia have worn off. Therefore, the vast majority of your recovery will be done in the comfort of your home.

A breast reduction procedure will usually follow this general outline:

Anesthesia — In most cases, patients will undergo general anesthesia unless pure liposuction is being performed, in which case, local anesthesia may be an option. If local anesthesia is an option, a sedative may also be used.

Incision — There are two basic incision types used to perform a breast reduction. One incision is shaped like a lollipop, and the other is shaped, more or less, like an anchor. The less invasive the technique, the faster healing may occur–but the more limited your breast reduction may be.

Closing the Incision — Once the excess tissue has been eliminated, the incisions will be closed with sutures.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Because of swelling and bruising immediately after surgery, it may take several weeks to notice the aesthetic changes achieved by your breast reduction surgery.

However, you may immediately notice the change in volume and weight. Some patients already have an improvement in neck pain in the recovery room immediately after surgery. Once recovery is complete, patients will typically notice a much more youthful silhouette and may experience an improvement in chronic neck and back pain symptoms.

Breast Reduction Cost

How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost in Chicago, IL?

The cost of a breast reduction in Chicago, IL, varies depending on the type of technique used, the complexity of your particular case, and the surgeon’s fees, among many factors. To get an accurate estimate of the price, you should schedule your consultation with Dr. Ogilvie so that he can create the best surgical plan for you. Our Patient Coordinator will then be able to provide you with the cost after your plan is created.

Why Choose Dr. Ogilvie?

Michael P. Ogilvie, M.D., M.B.A., is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is double board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A native Chicagoan, he was born and raised in Hyde Park and is proud to serve the community he loves. Dr. Ogilvie prides himself on providing his patients with the highest levels of care founded on surgical expertise and artistic vision to give the most natural results possible.

With his highly personalized approach and meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Ogilvie should be your choice for your breast reduction in Chicago because he strives to fully understand his patients’ goals to provide realistic expectations and expert care. He fully complements cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures to meet every patient’s individualized needs. Dr. Ogilvie’s dedication throughout his career allows him to provide the absolute best results possible with understanding, kindness, and compassion. He is an affiliate of the American Board of Surgery (ABS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISPS)..

Breast Reduction FAQ’S

Absolutely, you can! Many of our patients who received a breast reduction in Chicago will combine their surgery with a Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, or Fat Transfer. If you are considering combining procedures, we suggest you bring this up with Dr. Ogilvie at your initial consultation so that he can discuss the feasibility and, if so, include these goals in your surgical plan.
Breast reduction comes with associated risks that are important to outline. Some are as follows:
- Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations, or injectable agents
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Breast asymmetry
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
- Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent.
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Excessive firmness of the breast
- Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis)
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Pain, which may persist
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Potential inability to breastfeed
- Potential loss of skin/tissue of breast where incisions meet each other
- Potential, partial, or total loss of nipple and areola
- Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling, and bruising
- Unfavorable scarring
If you do feel like you are having any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office immediately.
First and foremost, it is important that you make sure that the Chicago breast reduction plastic surgeon has board certifications. We recommend that you research their experience, hospital affiliations, and research work in the field. We also encourage you to read their past patient reviews and finally schedule a consultation to see how you feel in person. Make sure you feel included and heard and that it is a collaborative experience for you. It is very important to feel safe, heard, and trusted in this meeting.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn more about breast reduction — and what a breast reduction might be able to do for your body — contact Dr. Ogilvie to schedule a confidential consultation at our Chicago offices.

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