Breast

Breast Reduction

Large breasts can cause pain, improper posture, rashes, breathing problems, skeletal deformities, and low self-esteem. Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is usually done to provide relief from these symptoms. Performed under general anesthesia, this procedure removes fat and glandular tissue and tightens skin to produce smaller, lighter breasts that are in a healthier proportion to the rest of the body.

Benefits of Breast Reduction

Women with large, heavy breasts may suffer physical pain from the weight of their breasts and may experience social discomfort due to unwanted attention to their breast size. Because of this, many women turn to breast reduction as a remedy.

Large, heavy breasts can also cause strain on a woman's body. The extra weight of heavy breasts can be harmful to posture and may lead to spinal problems. In addition to causing back, neck, and shoulder pain, excessively heavy breasts may also lead to breathing problems and other serious health issues. Breast reduction surgery can help a woman correct her posture and remove strain on the back, neck, and shoulders, reducing overall pain.

In addition to seeking relief from the pain caused by heavy breasts, many women seek breast reduction surgery because they are uncomfortable with the unwanted attention that their breast size draws. This unwanted attention may cause a woman to become uncomfortable with her appearance. Breast reduction surgery can help a woman regain her self-confidence and positive self-image, as well as provide the motivation to participate in a wide range of physical and social activities.

Incision Techniques

Breast reduction surgery generally takes two to four hours, depending on the patient's specific case, and is performed under general anesthesia. The size and shape of your breasts, as well as the desired amount of reduction, helps determine which type of incision is right for you. The different types of incisions for a breast reduction include:

Traditional Breast Reduction Surgery

The traditional approach to breast reduction surgery is a very effective method for alleviating discomfort caused by large, heavy breasts. The traditional method, also called an anchor pattern or Wise pattern reduction, is often the best choice for women requiring a large amount of tissue removal. In the traditional breast reduction surgery technique, incisions are made horizontally under the breast in the crease and extend vertically up to and around the nipple, creating an anchor pattern. Because traditional breast reduction surgery allows for excess skin removal both vertically and horizontally, it is typically the best method for women with extremely large breasts. The anchor shaped incision also allows surgeons to remove more tissue than other methods, maximizing breast reduction results. Although the anchor pattern method can be useful in reducing excessively large breasts, it leads to more scarring than other breast reduction surgery techniques. These scars can often be hidden by bathing suits and even low cut tops.

Vertical Incision Breast Reduction Surgery

The vertical incision technique, also known as the short scar or LeJour breast reduction, typically results in shapelier breasts and less scarring than traditional breast reduction surgery. Vertical incision breast reduction is a popular alternative to the traditional method, especially for women who do not require extensive tissue removal. Incisions in this technique extend around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease, making a lollipop pattern. Vertical incision breast reduction eliminates the need for the horizontal incision along the breast crease that is used in traditional breast reduction surgery, resulting in much less scarring. Women with moderately large breasts are the ideal candidates for vertical incision breast reduction. Vertical incision breast reduction surgery may not be a good choice for women requiring the removal of excessive amounts of fat and breast tissue.

Scarless Breast Reduction Surgery

Scarless breast reduction employs liposuction techniques in order to reduce the size of the breasts with minimal or no visible scarring. The scarless breast reduction technique also leaves the nipples intact so that the patient has a reduced risk of breastfeeding complications and losing sensation in the nipple area. Because liposuction can only reduce the amount of fatty tissue in the breast, ideal candidates for scarless breast reduction are women whose breasts have more fatty tissue than glandular tissue. Men with gynecomastia (excess breast tissue) can also achieve desired results with male breast reduction through liposuction. Breast reduction using only liposuction is typically not the best option for more slender women with large breasts, women with extensive sagging, or women with excessively large breasts.

Procedure

Breast reduction surgery generally takes a few hours, depending on the patient's specific case, and is performed under general anesthesia.

In traditional incision breast reduction, skin, fat, and tissue from the lower breast area are removed to reduce the mass of the breast. In most cases, the nipples are moved to a higher position on the breast, but remain attached to the nerves and blood vessels. For very large breasts, however, the nipples may need to be moved and grafted to a completely new location. In these situations, you will lose sensation in the nipple and areola. After the nipple is moved to its new position, the skin above the nipple is brought down and around the swell of the breast, and then stitched back to close the original incision.

In scarless breast reduction, only one very small incision will be made in the breast crease. A thin surgical tube, called a cannula, is inserted in order to liposuction out excess fatty breast tissue. This technique is considered a scarless breast reduction procedure because the scars are minimal and usually invisible due to their inconspicuous location under the breast.

Recovery

Initially after breast reduction surgery, your breasts will be sore, swollen, and bruised. You can expect to wear bandages for about two days after surgery. Activity should be kept to a minimum for one to two weeks. You should also avoid heavy lifting and refrain from exercise and other strenuous activities for at least four weeks following the procedure. For extra support, a special soft surgical bra or athletic bra may be recommended.

Stitches will be removed in two to three weeks after the breast reduction procedure. Most women will be able to return to work and other normal activities about two weeks after undergoing a breast reduction. To ensure that the breasts are healing properly, breast reduction patients should attend follow-up appointments for several months after surgery.