Breast Reduction
Candidates for breast reduction surgery usually seek a plastic surgeon to relieve the medical and physical problems caused by excessively heavy breasts. Neck and back pain, skin rashes, shoulder grooves from brassier straps and breathing problems are some conditions frequently associated with large breasts. Further women may feel self conscious about the large size of their breasts, and physiologically add to their sense of tiredness at the end of the day. Breast reduction surgery, or in medical terminology, reduction mammaplasty, is designed to alleviate these problems. Skin, fat and breast tissue is removed from the breast producing a smaller, lighter and shapelier breast. If the size of the areola is large, this may be corrected during the procedure.
Surgical Details
Depending on the size of your breasts, your desired post-operative size and the technique utilized, the procedure may take anywhere from two to five hours. The surgery is usually performed in the hospital setting with a one night hospital stay. Some insurance companies require a minimum volume of tissue to be removed to cover the procedure and hospital stay. This will be pre-determined by your surgeon and a letter for pre-approval will be sent to your insurance carrier along with photographs of your condition to demonstrate the necessity for surgery. Various techniques are available to alleviate your condition which will be discussed at length with you prior to surgery. The most commonly used technique involves an inverted 'T' shaped incision. However, many variations of design are available to customize the procedure to your particular anatomy to achieve the best results. Liposuction is often utilized to improve the contour at the junction between the outer breast and the flank region. Regardless of technique used, you will be informed of the options, benefits and risks of your personalized reduction mammaplasty procedure.
After the operation, your breasts will be bandaged either in elastic Ace wrap type bandages or in a surgical bra for about a week. The dressings are usually changed a few days following the procedure and the stitches are absorbable so no sutures will be removed. Tape strips will be applied to the incisions for one month after surgery to improve the aesthetic result. During this time you may wear comfortable brassieres without under- wire. Most people return to normal daily functions after a week and initiate exercise in three weeks. The acute healing process is usually complete by six weeks, and raised or red incision lines will usually fade within the first three to four post-operative months.
If you have excessively large breasts which hamper your physical activity, cause physical discomfort, or create a sense of self consciousness, you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
Consult one of our board certified plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Specialists for a complete consultation regarding eyes/browlift and how it may improve your self confidence and restore a more youthful appearance to your skin.