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Home > Procedures > Breast > Breast Reduction

Having large breasts can cause a variety of medical problems including:

• Chronic neck and back pain
• breathing problems
• breast pain

Breast reduction offers a solution to these women with large breasts by creating a silhouette more in proportion to the rest of her body. Further, by reducing the size of a woman’s breasts, other chronic health problems such as back pain should be reduced, if not eliminated completely.

How will the surgery be performed?

During breast reduction surgery, fat, glandular tissue, and skin are removed from the breasts. This results in smaller, lighter and possibly firmer breasts.

Is breast augmentation right for me?

After discussing your medical history and your desire for breast augmentation with Dr. Barlow, you and he will make a determination together if you should undergo breast reduction.

Dr. Barlow’s main philosophy is that patients should have realistic goals and expectations when considering any procedure. Be sure to discuss with Dr. Barlow your goals and expectations for the procedure.

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What should I expect?

Consultation

1. Every procedure performed by Dr. Barlow begins with an in-depth consultation. After a short wait in our waiting area, you will be escorted into a spacious consultation room by a member of our staff. Our patient care coordinator will ask you a few questions about your past medical history.
   
2. The primary goal of the consultation is to learn about you and your expectations for the procedure. You will discuss your medical history, goals for the surgery, and Dr. Barlow will answer any questions you may have.
   
3. During your consultation, the doctor will also examine you and take the necessary measurements to assure a successful result. Dr. Barlow will also give you more detailed information about the breast reduction procedure, including how the surgery is performed. This is all personalized for you, so you achieve exactly the look you want.
   
4. At this time you will have the opportunity to try on sizers, which will allow you to better envision how the various sizes will look. Also, Dr. Barlow will discuss the difference between saline or silicone gel implants, as well as the benefits and potential complications of each implant style available.
   
5. We can use computer imaging to let you look at the surgical possibilities and to aid in the planning process. While imaging is not appropriate for all procedures, it can be very useful to help you understand the possibilities and limitations of some procedures. Dr. Barlow has the capabilities to provide you with imaging for the procedure you are considering at your request.

Scheduling Your Breast Reduction

1. After your consultation with the doctor you will be introduced to our Surgical Coordinator. Together you will go over a detailed quote that includes the surgeon’s fees and the operating room/anesthesia fees and she will answer any other questions you may have. Also, she can provide you with information about the various financing options available to you.
   
2. If you have a specific date in mind, our Surgical Coordinator will do her best to accommodate your schedule, however, please keep in mind that the doctor is often booked out a month in advance.
   
3. If you would like to go ahead and book your surgery, we require 10% deposit of the surgeon’s fees to hold your surgical date. You and she will decide on a date for surgery and a date for your preoperative appointment, which will be approximately one to two weeks prior to your surgery date.

Surgery

1. Dr. Barlow performs surgical procedures at Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Alexandria Hospital. Please keep in mind that you will see the doctor on the day of your surgery before any anesthesia is given, and you will have an opportunity to talk to him just prior to your surgery.
   
2. All aspects of the surgery will be discussed with you prior to this day. If you do have any further questions, we suggest our patients make a list to discuss with the doctor just prior to the procedure.
   
3. Following the procedure, you will be given detailed post-surgical care instructions.

Post-surgery

1. After the surgery, our Patient Care Coordinator will call you to check on your progress. During the healing process, it is important to remember that Dr. Barlow and our staff are always available help you in any way. A post operative appointment will be scheduled in order for you and Dr. Barlow to evaluate your progress.
   

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