BREAST REDUCTION
Too much of a good thing is no longer desirable, and women who have overly large breasts often suffer from physical and emotional discomfort as well as other concerns that limit their well-being. Breast reduction surgery is designed to reduce the size of the breasts to a more manageable level while maintaining a beautiful, feminine outcome.
What is Breast Reduction?
Sometimes, during the course of development, the breasts naturally hypertrophy (enlarge) to excessive sizes, regardless of an individual’s weight. In other cases, pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to irreversible enlargement of the breasts to undesirable sizes. Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that can remove excess skin and/or fat from the breasts to make them more proportionate to a patient’s size and body type. The treatment ultimately eliminates the excess and reshapes the breasts for a more balanced and comfortable result. In addition, natural asymmetry of large breasts is not uncommon and can be corrected at the time of surgery.
What Can Breast Reduction Surgery Do for Me?
Some of the many benefits offered by breast reduction surgery include: Smaller breasts that provide more balanced aesthetic proportions, relief from pain in the shoulders, neck, and back that is often caused by overly large breasts, reduction in skin rashes that may be occurring under the breasts, reduction in breast ptosis (sagging), the freedom to engage in exercises without being inhibited by large, pendulous breasts, less self-consciousness in social situations, reduction in the likelihood of bra-strap indentations and greater ability to fit into desired clothing.
What is the duration of a breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is typically completed in about two hours, can be performed on an outpatient basis or one night stay in the clinic and is performed under general anaesthesia.
After Surgery:
Pain is moderate. Pain pills and possibly an antibiotic may be ordered. Dr. Tawk sometimes use drains which are generally removed in 24 hours. Buried sutures will dissolve on their own.
What techniques are available for Breast Reduction?
Breast Reduction surgery can be performed using a similar approach as some Breast Lift surgery techniques. Most procedures are completed using either a vertical incision or an “anchor” (inferior pedicle) incision. The vertical incision, also known as a “lollipop” technique, involves a circumferential incision around the areola (outer nipple area) and a second incision that begins at the areola and ends at the inframammary fold, where the breast meets the chest. The anchor incision uses these same two entry points and adds a third along the inframammary fold, creating an anchor-like scar. The scar, while very visible initially, should fade with time. However, it’s unlikely to ever disappear completely. Most patients report little concern about the scar’s appearance, saying they are just glad to feel good in their body again.
Can you breastfeed or have a pregnancy after a breast reduction?
A subsequent pregnancy is of course possible. It is advisable to wait at least six months after breast reduction surgery. Breastfeeding is not always possible.