Breast Reduction Surgery: Decrease Your Breast Size

04 Jul

Posted by Admin as Female health

Breast size is determined by genes, hormones, body frame and weight. For the majority of women, their breast size is proportionate to their body frame. However, some women have particularly large breasts and this can cause psychological distress and physical discomfort. A female breast reduction, also called a reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the excess fat, glandular tissue and skin is removed to reduce the weight and volume of the breasts.

Constant back and neck pain, gouges in your shoulders from bra straps, deteriorating posture and an inability to participate in certain activities rank among the common complaints of women with large breasts. Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) may help relieve these symptoms. As technology advances and surgical techniques improve, more women are seeking consultations from plastic surgeons to discuss options for adjusting their breast sizes to a healthier and more comfortable level.

How It’s Done

Depending on your personal situation, the procedure can be performed in an outpatient facility or you may have to stay at least one night in the hospital. In either case, you will be given general anesthesia, which means you will be put to sleep for the procedure. It’s important to have someone with you who can drive you home and stay with you at least the first night if you’re not staying in the hospital.

Breast Reduction Surgery Procedure

The most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola and extends down in a vertical line it will then follow the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. Excess breast tissue, fat and skin are then removed and the nipples and remaining underlying tissues are then moved to a new higher location. The skin from both sides of the breast is then brought down and around the areola shaping the new contour of the breast and sutured.

Side Effects of Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is typically a highly successful procedure and patients are usually very pleased with the results. Just as with any surgery, there is a chance of complications. This article outlines potential side effects that you should be aware of.
Be aware of possible breast reduction side effects.

What can you expect after the surgery?

After surgery, your breasts are covered with a gauze dressing or elastic bandages. A drainage tube may be placed under each arm for one day to several weeks. Medication for pain and nausea as well as antibiotics to decrease your chance of infection will be available for you. You may stay in the hospital overnight, but outpatient surgeries also are common. Make plans for someone to drive you home from the hospital.

During the initial recovery period, your breasts likely will feel very tender and sensitive. They may also be swollen and bruised. Your surgery results in permanent breast scars, but they’re typically hidden by a bra or swimsuit.

What are the risks and complications of breast reduction?

The most common concerns and complications associated with breast reduction are asymmetry. That would be the fact that the right and left breast don’t match perfectly. For most patients, there is a general asymmetry of the breasts even before surgery. Other concerns about breast reduction surgery are regarding the scarring or the incision sites, and what those scars will look like. Other complications include potential nipple loss or partial nipple loss, where there can be some loss of the skin of the nipple. Also, there can be skin necrosis, or loss of the skin, involved in the breast reduction. However, in general, most of these complications heal without much of an issue.

Surgery results

Breast reduction surgery will make your breasts smaller and firmer. Without the excessive weight of large breasts, you may find greater enjoyment in playing sports and engaging in other physical activity.

Breast reduction often makes a dramatic change in your appearance. It may take some time to adjust to your new body image. Most women, however, eventually become comfortable with their smaller breasts and are very happy with the results of surgery. In fact, the level of patient satisfaction resulting after breast reduction is among the highest of any plastic surgery procedure.