Excessively large breasts can cause both physical and emotional distress for many women. It also results in pain and sometimes affects our self-esteem making it challenging for us to perform various physical activities or even find clothes and bras that can fit. We often daydream about trying certain activities or wearing certain outfits that we love but are unable to do any of these things as s result of this condition. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often lead to physical discomfort and pain.
If you have ever felt like this or know someone who struggles with these problems, then a Breast Reduction Surgery is just the procedure for you!
What Is a Breast Reduction?
A Breast Reduction is a surgery to make the breasts smaller and lifted. The surgeon removes fat, skin, and glands and is usually performed on women but can also be undergone by men. The procedure can also be done to help reduce back strain, skin irritation or breathing problems caused by the size of the breasts.
Before choosing to undergo Breast Reduction Surgery, Modern Surgical Arts finds it imperative that you, our prospective clients understand what it is best for and what the treatment comprises of. Below you will find a range of information on the treatment; this along with a consultation will help you to decide if a Breast Reduction is the best option for you. You can also visit our offices for a consultation and one of our board-certified doctors will be on call and ready to assist.
Breast Reduction surgery also classifies as reduction mammaplasty is a procedure that is used to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breasts. If you have very large breasts you can choose to undergo this procedure to ease discomfort or achieve a bust size that is proportionate to your body size.
Why do a Breast Reduction?
The Breast Reduction surgery is meant for women who have large breast and suffer from issues that need resolve, such as:
- Chronic back pain that requires pain medication
- Chronic neck pain that requires pain medication
- Chronic shoulder pain that requires pain medication
- Nerve pain
- Restricted activity
- Patients who are physically healthy
- Patients whose breasts limit their physical activity
- Difficulty fitting into bras and clothing
The procedure is usually not recommended for:
- Patients who smoke
- Patients who have conditions such diabetes or heart problems
- Patients who are very obese
- Patients who want to avoid scarring on the breasts
Breast reduction surgery can be undergone at any age, but if the breasts are not fully developed a second surgery may be needed later on in life.
If you have plans to have a child or lose weight a breast reduction surgery might have to be postponed as breast feeding will prove challenging following the procedure and weight can result in changes to the size of the breasts. The procedure usually lasts two to five hours.
Things to consider before undergoing a Breast Reduction
- Breast and nipple piercings can cause an infection
- The procedure can interfere with diagnostic procedures
- The procedure is commonly considered as a reconstructive surgical procedure but may be covered by insurance it if is performed to relieve medical issues
- Smokers are at an increased risk of suffering complications
Risks and side effects of a Breast Reduction
Like any other medical cosmetic procedure Breast Reduction Surgery has risks, downsides, and side effects. We aim to keep all of our patients informed of the pros and cons associated with all of the procedures we offer, allowing you to make a more informed choice. All of our clients and prospective clients to ask as many questions regarding our procedures as they would like during their consultation. While our board-certified plastic surgeons have years of experience under their belts the following risks are unavoidable for some of our patients. They include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Bruising
- Removal or loss of sensation in the nipples
- Removal or loss of sensation in the areolae
- Difficulty or the inability to breastfeed
- Differences in the size, shape, and symmetry of the implants
- Poor wound healing
- Blood clots
- Damage to nerves, blood vessels, and muscles
- Fluid accumulation
- Fat necrosis
- Potential loss of nipple or areola
- Allergies to surgical materials
- Skin discoloration
- Permanent pigmentation changes
- Death of nipple tissues
- Changes in breast sensation
- Inflammation
- Itchiness
Breast Reduction: Patient 1
How to Prepare for a Breast Reduction
There are certain procedures that your doctor will follow before going ahead with the treatment. These include:
- Evaluating your medical history and health
- Discuss your expectations and appearance after the surgery
- Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
- Provide a description of the procedures, risks, and benefits
- Examine the breasts and take detailed measurements of their size, shape, and skin quality
- Take photographs of the breasts for the medical records
Before the procedure you may also be asked to:
- Complete lab tests or a medical evaluation
- Get a mammogram
- Stop smoking for a set period of time prior to and following the surgery
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and herbal supplements
Before the surgery you will also need to prepare your home to accommodate your recovery.
You will need:
- A lot of ice
- Gauze
- Clean washcloths
- Towels
- Special ointments or creams that should be recommended by the doctor for the incision sites.
You should also plan for a friend a or family member to drive you home and assist you for the first night of the procedure.
During the procedure
The procedure is normally performed under general anesthetic, an in cases where the reduction is minor the surgeon may opt for local anesthetic.
The technique used to reduce the size of the breast can vary between different types. These are:
- Vertical or “Lollipop” Breast Reduction
This involves two incisions. One around the edge of the areola and the second running vertically underneath the breast. This incision allows the surgeon to remove excess fat, skin, and breast tissue, reshape the breast internally, and lift the breast into a more youthful position. While it leaves some scarring, it is limited to the area below the nipple and as such can easily be hidden beneath a bra.
- Liposuction for Breast Reduction
These are less invasive and basically leave undetectable scars on the breast. It however can only achieve optimal results in certain patients. It is best for patients who desire a moderate reduction in breast size. If patients have sagging, asymmetrical, and stretched skin one of the other reduction techniques will be better to resolve these issues.
- Inverted-T or “Anchor” Breast Reduction
This reduction involves 3 incisions – one around the edge of the areola, one vertically from the to the breast cease, and one along the underneath of the breast. This technique allows for the maximum amount of tissue removal and shaping. Surgeons usually use this technique for patients who need a more significant reduction or has considerable sagging.
The surgeon usually makes an incision around the areola and down each breast, they then remove the excess tissue, fat, and skin from the breasts and reshape the breast along with repositioning the nipple and areola.
Alternatives to Breast Reduction
A Breast Reduction is not the only or last resort for issues accompanying large breasts. These include:
- Significant weight loss (if you are overweight)
- Get professionally fitted bras
- Liposuction
- Diet
- Reduce estrogen intake
- Exercise
Who is qualified to perform Breast Reduction?
When seeking cosmetic treatment of any kind it is always important to ensure that your provider is a board-certified health care professional like those on our team at Modern Surgical Arts. Board certification lets clients know that their health care provider and their facilities are held at the utmost level of education, cleanliness, and quality. Even though the Breast Reduction procedure is a fairly common procedure it is important that you ensure the best possible outcome for yourself when you choose an experienced and qualified health care facility.
Why choose Modern Surgical Arts?
Along with providing board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeons for all our treatments and procedures we at Modern Surgical Arts take pride in providing top notch customer service and our staff is always ready to assist with any queries or concerns our customers might have. We have worked dedicatedly and tirelessly to ensure that we are the go-to place for this and many other cosmetic treatments.