Hello, and welcome to
my
practice! I'm Dr. Stefan Mark
Szczerba (pronounced
Sher-ba).
I am a board
certified
Chicago plastic
surgeon with fellowship
training in cosmetic plastic surgery. This level of
training represents 9 years of training after medical school and is matched by only by a handful of plastic surgeons in the Chicagoland area. I have three offices in the
Chicago
area where we offer
both cosmetic and
plastic
surgery treatments
as well
as aesthetician
services
and non-invasive
procedures such as
Botox,
dermal fillers
and skin
resurfacing
treatments.
You can find everything
you
need for your
personal image
transformation
at one
of my conveniently
located offices in
and
around
Chicago.
I look
forward to
meeting
with you to
discuss your
makeover
desires.
10400 W. Higgins Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 853-9900
1786 Moon Lake Boulevard, #205
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
(847) 885-1200
900 N. Kingsbury Street, Suite 130-N
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 286-1642
3226 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-1800
BREAST REDUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO BREAST REDUCTION
Breast reduction is a fairly common procedure, and is performed to bring your breasts more in proportion to the rest of your body size. If your reason to get breast reduction surgery is to change the size and shape of your breasts, you should view the surgery as an elective, cosmetic procedure. If you have a history of difficulties due to the size of your breasts such as back, neck or shoulder pain or rashes and shoulder grooving from your bra you may meet the criteria of your insurance company to cover the cost of the operation.
GOOD CANDIDATES FOR BREAST REDUCTION
For healthy women, common reasons to have breast reduction surgery include the following:
- Breasts seem out of proportion to their body
- Breasts have changed in shape and size from children or just from getting older
- Breasts interfere with exercise and other activities
For women who feel that their breast size is causing medical problems, frequent complaints include the following:
- weight of their breasts causes back, shoulder or neck pain
- bra straps dig into the shoulder area causing visible grooves
- rashes caused by breast size cause that needs treatment with a dermatologist
- Breast pain from the weight of the breast
Of particular importance to your insurance company is your breast size measurement in relation to your height and weight. Frequently, insurance companies will try other methods to alleviate problems such as back pain with non-surgical therapy, like weight loss or physical therapy. When these therapies fail, the letter to your insurance company carefully documents your current height and weight along with the other interventions tried prior to breast reduction surgery.
Breast Mammogram If you are 35 or older and have a family history of breast cancer, or if you are 40 or older with no family history, Dr. Szczerba requires that you schedule a mammogram before your procedure. Based on research studies, healing changes from breast reduction surgery interfere with mammogram quality for approximately two years. The mammogram prior to surgery will provide you an up-to-date screening for breast abnormalities. Naturally, if any abnormalities are found on the mammogram, these must be addressed before your procedure.
Like other breast procedures, if you intend to breastfeed, we suggest that you discuss this with Dr. Szczerba at your consultation. In general, the majority of women who undergo cosmetic breast procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast lifts, can breastfeed, as there are techniques available that will try to accommodate that goal.
HOW BREAST REDUCTION IS PERFORMED
Dr. Szczerba specializes in the short-scar breast reduction technique, which leaves a circular scar around the areola which then runs vertically to the underside of the breast. Due to its shape, this is often called a lollipop incision. If there is significant size to the breast or significant drooping, a scar along the crease under the breast may also be necessary. During the procedure, excess breast tissue is carefully removed to create an even, natural appearance. The areola will be repositioned on the breast and may also be reduced in size. Dr. Szczerba always performs a breast lift in conjunction with breast reduction to be sure your breasts are smaller, but lifted and natural in appearance.
Dr. Szczerba performs breast reduction surgery under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical suite in Chicago, Rosemont or Hoffman Estates. If an insurance company is paying for your breast reduction, the facility Dr. Szczerba uses for your surgery will need to be approved by your insurance company.
Each woman is unique but, on average, the procedure takes 2-4 hours and can be done on an outpatient basis or an overnight stay in the hospital can also be arranged.
RECOVERY FROM BREAST REDUCTION
We will provide you with a supportive bra that you will wear for 3-4 weeks while you are healing. Even though most of our patients feel fairly well in less than a week, the body’s wound healing of any surgery takes approximately six weeks for complete healing.
Dr. Szczerba will place a drain under your skin that will remain in place for 24 hours to help eliminate fluids while you heal. You will have the choice of remaining in the recovery suite overnight or going home the same day of your surgery. If you go home, Dr. Szczerba will call you the evening of your breast reduction surgery to check in and you will return to the office within 48 hours to remove drains and monitor your progress.
You should be able to return to work in a few days, a week at the very most. For about six weeks following a breast reduction, please avoid any strenuous exercise or lifting, or any activities which use your chest muscles or require you to lift your arms over your head.
It is unlikely to have decreased sensation in the nipple area with the techniques that Dr. Szczerba uses; however, it is always a possibility to have lack of sensation. In order to achieve the change in shape to produce a pretty breast, there will be scar around the areola that extends vertically down to the fold underneath the breast. For larger breasts, the scar extends horizontally along the fold underneath the breast. The scars do fade with time. It is rare for a patient to regret the scars required to achieve the breast size and shape they desire.
Breast reduction surgery has a huge effect on the lives of our patients who have suffered, some of them for years, with oversized breasts that have made their lives very uncomfortable. As a side effect, you may find that you have a renewed interest in clothes shopping after your reduction!
