This procedure is designed to reduce the size of a woman’s breasts, but it can also improve the overall appearance or shape of the breast and help balance breast asymmetries. It helps in treating physical complaints like neck, shoulder and back pain experienced by many women with large breasts.
The skin, along with breast tissue and fat, is removed to create smaller, more shapely breasts. An additional benefit where the drop exists is a simultaneous elevation of the nipple areolar complex to a more desirable position. The areolas (darker skin that surrounds the nipple) may also be reduced in size and become more symmetrical.
Patients who want smaller breasts
Patients with extensive breast asymmetry
Healthy patients without breast cancer
Patients who have realistic expectations about the procedure
Patients who will tolerate breast scarring
Patients who complain of chronic neck, shoulder and back pain due to excessive breast size
Patients with large breasts who suffer from chronic skin irritation along the bra straps and under the breast folds.
Smaller breast size and improved breast shape.
Breast reduction is performed in an accredited outpatient surgical center or in the hospital under general anesthesia, or conscious sedation with local anesthesia. Depending on various factors, breast reductions are performed using surgical techniques that preserve breast tissue and maintain a healthy blood supply to the nipple-areola complex. There are several external skin envelope closures that will determine the placement and size of post-operative scars (talk to your plastic surgeon). A drain may be inserted at the time of surgery. Breast tissue is always submitted to pathology for examination after removal, even if preoperative mammography and ultrasound are normal.
Postoperative discomfort is controlled with oral medications. Surgical drains may be present after surgery. Your plastic surgeon will determine when they will be removed (usually the drains are in as little as 24 hours and are removed the day after your surgery during your post-op visit). A special post-op support bra can be worn after surgery for a few weeks, which may be different for each surgeon. Postoperative care on the first night is most common at home with a responsible adult, an overnight care center, or very rarely in the hospital (if a patient has significant risks that require observation during the first 24 hours).
The patient will be seen the next day for a post-operative examination. Most sutures are internal and do not need to be removed. Depending on the surgeon’s technique, there may be some sutures, which will remain in place for one to two weeks and will be removed during your post-operative visit when the surgeon deems it appropriate. Light activities can usually be resumed in less than seven to ten days. Sports activities can resume in three to four weeks or longer, depending on your surgeon’s advice.
