How to Prep for Your Breast Reduction in Lubbock

If you’ve decided that it’s time for a breast reduction, you may be wondering what to expect from your plastic surgery journey. As you think about and plan for your upcoming surgery, you may spend a lot of time researching. Being an educated patient is important, so keep up that surgery prep! The better you understand what to expect throughout the plastic surgery process, the more comfortable you will feel. Read on for tips on how to prepare for your breast reduction in Lubbock and what life can look like afterwards.

Pick a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Before you go in for a consultation for a breast reduction, make sure you choose a plastic surgeon with whom you can comfortably communicate. It’s important that your plastic surgeon has plenty of experience with breast reduction surgery and is board-certified. You want to have the best experience possible and get the results you want, and choosing a doctor who meets these requirements will help improve your chances of achieving your goals.

Prepare Your Medical History

Your plastic surgeon will want to know about any past and present medical conditions you have, so have a list ready to go with the following information:

Drug allergies
Medications you are taking or have taken recently
Medical treatments you have had
Any past surgeries, including breast biopsies
Family history of breast cancer
Current mammogram results

The list may seem extensive, but the more thorough you are at your initial consultation, the more your plastic surgeon will be able to evaluate your health and whether you are a good candidate for a breast reduction. Lubbock patients should remember to be honest with their surgeon about their medical history as well as their motivations for desiring the surgery.

You Will Receive an Examination

Your plastic surgeon wants you to be happy with the results of your breast reduction in Lubbock, so a comprehensive examination of your breasts is key. Your surgeon will take measurements and photos of your breasts so as to determine:

Your breast size and shape
What kind of breast size and shape you’re aiming for
How much breast tissue you already have
The elasticity of your skin
The placement of your nipples and areolas

You should expect your initial plastic surgery consultation to be in-depth so that all aspects of your breast reduction can be discussed. Many patients find that they also want a breast lift or liposuction to go along with their breast reduction. Lubbock patients enjoy a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Jane Rowley in which they can discuss all plastic surgery procedures they are considering.

What to Expect From Your Breast Reduction

Once you’ve had your initial consultation and you feel comfortable moving forward with your procedure, you’ll want to think about preparing for what happens after the surgery. What will life be like a year after your breast reduction?

Sensation: Patients experience varying degrees of sensation in their nipples and breasts after breast reduction. Lubbock women can lose their sensation due to surgery and then recover it within a year or longer; however, some women don’t get sensation back, and others never lose it in the first place.
Scars: Incisions are part of surgery, and scars are a result of incisions. Talk to the experts in our Lubbock office to discuss great options for minimizing scars.
Change in Figure: Even though your breasts are the only part of your body undergoing surgery, you may see your entire figure differently. The way your clothes fit will change, so you may find that your waist size also looks differently in certain articles of clothing.
Back Pain: One of the greatest motivators for a breast reduction is the back pain caused by the weight of large breasts. You should feel significant relief from your back pain, although it might not go away entirely. For those who still experience pain, a chiropractor, yoga, or stretching may help.
Shape: Immediately following your recovery you may see your breasts as overly round and almost fake looking, but over time your breasts will settle to a more comfortable, natural look.
Bras: After your breast reduction in Lubbock you may want a surgical bra for use during recovery. Most women feel they can return to regular bras after a month post-surgery, but with tender breasts, it would be best to transition to wire-free sports bras first. Your breast size is likely to continue to change over the first year following your breast reduction. If you’re a frugal shopper, you may want to purchase modestly priced bras for the first year and then invest in some high-quality bras after your breasts have settled into their new size and shape.

Love the New You

Above all, plan on enjoying your new body! It may take some getting used to, but breast reduction patients are some of the happiest clients at Rowley Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jane Rowley has over two decades of experience with breast procedures. Call our office today for a no-obligation consultation for your breast reduction in Lubbock.