Do you have large pendulous breasts causing pain in the back and neck progressively becoming worse at the end of the day? Do you suffer from skin irritation underneath your breasts or have indentations in your shoulders? Do you feel extremely self-conscious of the large size of your breasts and prevent you from participating in certain activities. Then you may be an excellent candidate for a breast reduction.
Breast reduction, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is designed for such women. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The goal is to give the woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.
Breast Reduction Ideal Candidate
- breasts that are too large in proportion to your body frame
- heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward
- one breast is much larger than the other
- back, neck or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
- skin irritation beneath your breasts
- indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps
- restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts
- dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the largeness of your breasts
Breast reduction can be performed when breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast reduction before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later.
During the consultation, Dr. Gartner will discuss with you, your desired breast size as well as anything else about your breasts that you would like to see improved. This will help to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.
Breast Reduction Surgery Standard Method
The techniques for breast reduction vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, extends downward, and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. The excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin is removed, and the nipple and areola are raised into their new position. The skin from both sides of the breast are shifted down and around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from the armpit area.
In most cases, the nipples remain attached to their blood vessels and nerves. However, if the breasts are very large or pendulous, the nipples and areolas may have to be completely removed and grafted into a higher position. This procedure known as a free nipple graft will result in a loss of sensation in the nipple and areolar tissue.
Vertical Breast Reduction (Short Scar technique)
This technique involves a lollipop incision that encircles the areola, and extends downward to the base of the breast. This technique gives more upper pole fullness and does not leave the long horizontal scar under the breast that the standard inverted T incision leaves. Dr. Gartner uses this technique for moderate to large size breasts. Because of less scarring healing and recovery time is less.
Scarless Breast Reduction
This method involves liposuction of the breasts to reduce its size. Interestingly the elasticity of the skin does shrink and raise the nipple position higher. In most cases it will not reduce the size of the breasts as much as other methods or will not raise the nipple position as high as other methods, but for the patient who wants to be smaller without scars it has a high satisfaction rate. Recovery and healing is quicker with less scarring.
Breast Reduction Recovery
After surgery, you'll be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two. You may feel some mild discomfort for a week or more, most patients do not need pain medication. The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, though you'll continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising subside. Dr. Gartner uses dissolving sutures which do not need to be removed. Average return to work is 7 to 10 days Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results in the quickest body-image changes. You'll be rid of the physical discomfort of large breasts, your body will look better proportioned, and clothes will fit you better. Take a look at some before and after photos.
