Conveniently located to serve Baton Rouge and Prairieville
What is a Breast Reduction?
Breast Reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. Patients who undergo breast reduction surgery are seeking to improve their breast appearance and to alleviate discomfort caused by excessive breast weight. Often women feel that their large breasts limit physical activity and impairs their ability to enjoy an active lifestyle. They also experience back, neck, and shoulder pain, bra strap grooving, and skin irritation beneath the breasts. By reducing breasts size through breast reduction surgery, most patients experience relief of symptoms and a renewed self-image.
Does Insurance Cover Breast Reduction Surgery?
Some insurance plans do cover breast reduction surgery provided certain criteria is met. Our insurance department will submit all the required information to your insurance company to determine coverage and obtain approval. If your plan has an exclusion or you do not meet medical criteria required by your policy, your breast reduction can be performed as a cosmetic procedure.
IDEAL CANDIDATES
Breast reduction surgery is often an ideal choice for women who experience issues like neck, back, and shoulder pain due to their breast size. If breast size is hindering the patient’s physical activities, breast reduction surgery is a recommended option.
The best breast reduction candidates are healthy non-smokers, since pre-existing conditions and smoking can increase the chance of complications. Candidates must have realistic goals.
Women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding are ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery. Candidates must be able to set aside time to fully recover from the surgery.
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation for a breast reduction, you will meet with one of our board certified plastic surgeons to discuss your goals and expectations. Your surgeon will provide you with a detailed explanation of the breast reduction procedure, answer your questions, and determine a surgical plan of care based on your expected outcome. After performing an exam and reviewing pertinent health history, your surgeon may order lab work, a mammogram, and other pre-operative tests as deemed necessary. Lastly, you will meet with a surgery coordinator to discuss fees, surgery scheduling options, and make a pre-operative appointment to meet with the nurse for final preparation prior to surgery.
Before and After
Surgery
Your breast reduction surgery will be performed in our AAAASF accredited office surgical suite with a qualified anesthesia provider. If your breast reduction is covered under your insurance policy, your procedure will be performed at one of the local Baton Rouge hospitals. Operative time in most cases is approximately two hours. Most breast reduction procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and patients are discharged home the same day.
Anesthesia will be administered. Once it takes full effect, incisions will be made according to the surgical plan. Incision options will be discussed during the consultation.
Excess fat, skin, and/or glandular breast tissue will be removed, and tissues will be reshaped and tightened. The nipples will be repositioned and resized as needed, and then the incisions will be sutured and bandaged to complete the surgery.
Recovery
After surgery, your condition will be monitored for several hours as initial recovery takes place. You will have to wear a surgical bra to support your breasts and protect the healing tissues. Prescriptions will be provided to aid in the recovery process.
Your nurse will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions at your pre-operative visit and will review them again prior to your discharge home. Recovery time for a breast reduction is about two weeks, and most patients take pain medication for 3-5 days. Patients can typically return to work within 1-2 weeks, but heavy lifting, pushing or pulling should be avoided for the first four weeks following your surgery.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate the results of the surgery and assess the recovery process. You will be informed about when you can perform strenuous physical activities again. Additional instructions or prescriptions may be provided.
Your Breast Reduction procedure will be performed in Bourgeois Freel Plastic Surgery‘s surgery center located in Baton Rouge, LA.
TESTIMONIAL
“Dr. Bourgeois is absolutely incredible. I was going back and forth with the idea of getting a breast reduction at such a young age due to the fact of the risks and how life changing it would be. After meeting with Dr. Bourgeois for the first time I felt a sigh of relief. She was the most respectful and compassionate physician I’ve ever met! Her bedside manner alone was comforting. Her and her staff made me feel safe and like I was in great hands! I’d recommend her to anyone. Thank you so much Dr. Bourgeois and staff for a great life changing experience!.”
By Dr. Bourgeois
By Dr. Freel
