Breast Reduction
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Breast reduction is a type of plastic surgery esthetic surgery that will reshape a woman�s breast to be smaller. This is often desired by women who have very oversized breasts. There is actually a medical term for this: hypertrophy. This can happen when a female enters puberty or soon after. It can happen very quickly, as the breast will grow and enlarge to the point that a female can feel uncomfortable; a woman may have issues with back pain, as well. It is not known why this condition happens, but with breast reduction cosmetic surgery, this can be treated and a woman can have a more normal shape and the extra weight that her back was having to support will be removed.
Many women seek breast reduction surgery because of oversized breasts, a condition that is medically known as breast hypertrophy. Breast hypertrophy typically occurs in both breasts and happens at puberty or soon afterward. Sometimes the over enlargement of breasts occurs during pregnancy and then the enlargement persists. Although rare, the sudden onset of breast enlargement does occur. Plastic surgery - esthetic surgery can treat these conditions. The cause of over-enlarged breasts is unknown. These articles provide information about the procedure and what makes a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction surgery is for women who have large breasts and want to resolve one or more of the following associated problems:
- Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
- Poor posture
- Skin rash under the breasts
- Deep grooves in the shoulders from bra strap pressure
- Restricted levels of activity
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty wearing or fitting into certain bras and clothing
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age, but it’s generally advisable to wait until you’re at least age 20, by which time your breasts are likely to be fully developed. However, sometimes surgery is performed in teens who suffer significant emotional and psychological effects of having too-large breasts.
If you want children, consider postponing breast reduction surgery until you’ve had them. Changes to breast tissue during pregnancy could alter your surgical results. Also, after the surgery, breast-feeding may be difficult.
Male breast reduction
Breast reduction surgery is not only an option for women. Some men who have large breasts, may need to have a breast reduction, which is a procedure called a gynaecomastia. Unlike the female breast reduction - which is carried out to both reduce and reshape the breasts - male breast reductions are usually required to flatten the breast area.
Large breasts in men are often believed to be a result of obesity, but this is not the only cause. Men, like women, can have an abnormal growth of glandular breast tissue, usually due to a hormonal imbalance. Some studies have shown that male breast growth could be as a result of high levels of the female hormone oestrogen being present in their bodies. Other causes of male breast enlargement include:
- excessive alcohol intake,
- use of certain drugs, particularly anabolic steroids (often used by body builders), and
- dramatic weight loss, causing skin to sag.
The surgical procedure for male breast reduction is exactly the same as the procedure carried out for women (see how it is performed section). However, the male operation usually only takes an hour. The recovery time is also the same (see recovery section), with men needing to wear an elastic garment (sometimes referred to as a pressure garment) for up to four weeks after the operation. The elastic garment helps to encourage smooth results.
Consultation with the surgeon
Before the breast reduction operation you should always have a consultation with the surgeon who will operate on you. This is your chance to ask questions about the operation. It is a good idea to bring a list of your questions to the consultation.
The surgeon will also give you advice on how best to prepare for the operation. If you are overweight, you may be advised to lose weight beforehand. Smokers will be advised to give up because smoking increases the risks of surgery, including delayed healing.
With your permission, the surgeon will also photograph your breasts for a confidential “before and after” reference image.
Many people find it helpful to take notes during the consultation, bring a friend for support, or tape-record the consultation. This is completely normal (and often encouraged by the surgeon).
The breast reduction operation
If you decide that you want to have the operation you will be asked to sign a consent form. This is to show that you are aware of what the procedure involves, including the possible risks, and give your permission for it to go ahead.
Breast reductions are carried out under a general anaesthetic. You will need to stay in the hospital overnight after the operation and sometimes for longer.
Your surgeon or the hospital will give you advice about recovery, including what home arrangements to make and who to contact if complications occur. You will need to wear a special, supportive bra for a few weeks after the operation.
Side-effects
These are the unwanted, but usually temporary effects of a successful procedure.
- You may feel sick as a result of the general anaesthetic or painkillers.
- There will be some pain and discomfort for a few days, and your breasts may feel tender and lumpy for weeks and even months after the procedure.
- You will always experience some scarring although this usually fades with time.
- You are also likely to lose sensation in the nipple, and this numbness may extend over part of the breast as well.
- It is unlikely that you will be able to breastfeed after a breast reduction, as your nipples are separated from the milk ducts in the operation.
Complications
Complications are unexpected problems that can arise during or after the procedure. Most people are not affected. However, in rare cases they can be severe and even fatal.
The major complications of any operation are:
- unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic
- excessive bleeding during or after surgery
- wound infection
- developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis)
Specific complications of breast reduction include:
- occasionally, scars may stay thick, red and irritable for a long time
- rarely, abnormalities of the blood supply may result in loss of part, or even all, of a nipple
- breasts will always change shape slightly after the procedure, but occasionally the breasts may be more uneven than normal, or the nipples may not be level