In breast reduction, your surgeon not only reduces the sizes of the breasts by removing excess tissue and fat, but sculpts them into a new, smaller shape. I always do the procedure under local anesthesia and twilight sedation, though some doctors still use a general anesthetic. Expect to be in the operating room three to four hours and then to remain in the facility for about an hour afterwards for monitoring.
To Dman123,
Hello, again. Breast reduction is a rapid recovery procedure that is done on an out patient basis in an accredited ambulatory surgery suite. Most patients return to work or school in 4 days and exercise without restriction in 3 weeks.
In the Bronx, almost all of the breast reduction procedures I do are performed on an outpatient basis. The exceptions are: patients with significant potential health risk factors, or those who come from great distances.
In America, most breast reductions are done as outpatients since insurance does not pay for the procedure. I am now doing about 95% of my patients in my own out patient office surgery center. The chance of problems is the same in a hospital as an out patient.
Years ago, all breast reduction patients stayed in the hospital overnight. Now, I perform this surgery as an outpatient procedure. I can't remember the last time I kept some one in the hospital after a breast reduction.
If you are having your surgery done by a qualified surgeon in a qualified procedure, the prospect of having breast reduction as an outpatient procedure is reasonable. However, if you always confirm with your surgeon that there is a "back up plan" in case you need to be admitted to the hospital over night. Make sure your surgeon has admitting privileges at a hospital near were your surgery is being done (if it is not being done in the hospital). Good luck with your surgery.
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