Breast Reduction Surgery Brings Relief, Confidence

If you were dealing with chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain, you’d definitely go see your doctor, right? Well, despite that pain being a daily fact of life for thousands of women with large breasts, many don’t. Whether they’re concerned about the process, the cost, or the change it could make in their appearance, many don’t have the breast reduction surgery that could eliminate those symptoms and help them lead healthier, happier, more active lives.

The Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Breast Reduction Program is working to remedy that. By offering safe, effective breast reduction surgery options, the program helps women improve their health, comfort, and confidence.

“For many women, having larger breasts means they can’t exercise, which can lead to a difficult cycle of weight gain, breast growth, and even more back, neck, and shoulder pain,” said Dr. Walter Bernacki, a board-certified plastic surgeon who’s performed over 5,000 breast reduction procedures in the last 25 years. “Breast reduction surgery can break that cycle by not only eliminating that barrier to exercise but also reducing pain, eliminating bra strap grooves and skin irritation, improving posture and mobility, boosting self-confidence, and enhancing overall quality of life.”

Common Procedure

There are many types of breast reduction procedures, but the most common is known as a Wise Pattern Reduction (Anchor Incision). It allows the breast to be reduced in size by removing extra skin, fat, and tissue and then lifted. The surgery takes less than two hours and, because it’s an outpatient procedure, most patients go home the same day.

“It’s a fairly simple and straightforward procedure that improves post-op healing and preserves nerve sensation,” Dr. Bernacki said. “Plus it allows patients to rest at home and return to their normal routine faster.”

Patients have their first post-op visit 5-7 weeks after surgery so the surgeon can view the incision and review the pathology report on the removed tissue. If everything goes well, most can return to physical activity over the next few months and get back on their regular mammogram schedule after a year.

Immediate Relief

The impact, however, is felt almost immediately.

“Patients are amazed at how quickly they experience results,” Dr. Bernacki said. “They feel it in the very first week. There’s less pull on their neck, back, and joints, plus they feel lighter, more comfortable, and more confident. Their only regret is not having done it sooner!” 

That’s why, for women experiencing pain and discomfort from larger breasts, breast reduction surgery is something worth considering.

“Any woman dealing with pain due to larger breasts is a candidate for breast reduction,” said Dr. Bernacki. “I counsel my patients to try and wait until after they’re done having children if they can, since pregnancy can affect breast size. But if they’ve been in the same bra size for 1-2 years, are open to surgery, and are okay with a smaller but proportional breast size, it can be life changing.”

Insurance Coverage

Some women may be reticent to pursue the surgery thinking it might be too costly, but it’s actually more accessible than many realize. In fact, for women for whom the procedure is deemed medically necessary, it’s often covered by insurance. Alternatively, it can be performed as a self-pay procedure and is more affordable than many may think.

“One of the big benefits of working with our program is our team’s ability to help navigate and streamline the qualifying process,” Dr. Bernacki said. “We’ve helped many of our patients get an answer in as little as two weeks.”

Getting Started

You’d think chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain would drive women to Dr. Bernacki’s door, but it’s more often a suggestion or recommendation from a primary care provider, mammogram technician, chiropractor, or friend that brings them in.

“No one needs a referral, but that’s how most patients come to us,” he added. “We then take the time to understand their challenges and their health history, discuss their goals, and set their expectations before we walk them through the procedure and the process. It’s a thorough consultation because we want every patient to know exactly what to expect.”  

Because helping patients become pain-free isn’t the program’s only objective. It’s for every woman to feel informed, supported, understood, and cared for while improving her health, increasing her comfort, and boosting her confidence.

To learn more about the Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Breast Reduction Program or to schedule a consultation, call 614-682-5095.