Breast Reduction and Surgical Options

With time, the size and shape of the women's breasts change, and these changes occur due to natural phenomenon such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain/loss, and aging. Women who have overly large and saggy breasts, face health problems such as pain in back, shoulder, neck and irritation underneath the breasts. The weight of the breast tissue become a challenge for the women who have an active lifestyle while some women are particularly conscious about having large breasts size.

If you're concerned about your size, it's time that you should consider going for Breast Reduction Surgery and know the different surgical options you could choose according to the problem. In this guide, you'll learn about breast reduction surgery and what to expect before and after surgery.

What is Breast Reduction?

Breast Reduction, aka Reduction Mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin/fat/glandular tissue in the breasts to reduce the size and reshape as desired in proportion with the body. During breast surgery, the surgeon also reshapes the areola that is the skin surrounding the nipple to improve the appearance of the breast.

Women who undergo breast reduction surgery are happy with the results as the procedure promises smaller and firmer breasts, which, in turn, gives relief to any physical pain the woman has been experiencing for long. However, the shape and size may change in case of weight gain or pregnancy.

Consultation About Breast Reduction Treatment

Before you decide to go for the breast reduction surgery, you'll have to consult your surgeon. The surgeon will have a one on one discussion with the patient regarding medical history, such as if a person has had any breast surgery before or has any medical condition that affects the breasts.

You've to be completely open with the surgeon about the physical and emotional problems you're facing due to your breasts.

The surgeon would then take the photos of the breasts, measure them, and discuss with you how much tissue is needed to be removed to achieve the desired shape and size. You'll be learning about how to prepare for the surgery and what safety precautions you've to take following the surgery. You'll have to get a mammogram and seek a breast exam before the procedure.

Furthermore, your surgeon will ask about what medications you are on and whether you smoke or not. It's advised to quit smoking before and after the surgery to avoid any complications and ensure a safe recovery. You've to avoid certain medications such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs at all costs.

Breast Reduction Surgical Procedures

There are different surgical procedures for Breast Reduction. The surgeon would choose the best possible procedure for you according to your breast size and how much reduction is needed. However, each type can leave scars on the breast that you can hide through clothing.

The operation begins by placing the nipple into a new position. An incision is made to cut away the excess breast tissue, and the skin is reshaped to make the breast size smaller. The nipple is then positioned into its place.

1.Vertical Mastopexy

A breast reduction technique, aka Circumvertical method where the incision is made around the nipple area called areola as well as the vertical region with no cut underneath the breasts. The vertical Mastopexy can lift the breasts and reshape it. This technique is suitable for those who have got big saggy breasts. What it does is that it tightens the skin to hold the breast tissue. In this way, your breast gets a plump look.

2.Circumareolar Breast Reduction

Circumareolar breast reduction is also called the Periareolar/donut lift that makes use of one single cut around the nipple region. This technique is best for women who have less saggy breasts since it doesn't remove excess breast tissue. It aims to reduce breast projection and lifts the nipple. If you've asymmetrical breasts, this surgical option is suitable to make one breast size smaller to make them aligned.

3.Inverted T-reduction/Anchor-Type Breast Reduction

Last but not least, the inverted T-reduction is the popular form of breast reduction surgery where the incision starts around the nipple and travels down and then finally along the skin underneath the breast, forming an inverted T.

Women who have medium to large-sized breasts are a perfect candidate for this procedure as it cuts away excess breast tissue. If you've got huge breast cup size, the nipple would be removed and placed to a new position after surgery.

Anesthesia

During the surgery, you're given sedatives such as general anesthesia or local tumescent anesthesia to provide a painless procedure. The local anesthesia is injected when carrying out breast reduction surgery. Local anesthesia has advantages as compared to general anesthesia. You have fewer complications following the surgery so that the patient can go back to work within 2-3 days. The surgeon will recommend which anesthesia is best for you. Dr. Shah specializes in performing surgeries under local anesthesia, eliminating the need for general anesthesia.

What to Expect After the Breast Reduction Surgery?

Following the completion of the surgery, women may encounter moderate breast pain and swelling during the first week. You'll be prescribed painkillers to give you relief and a surgical bra to support your breasts. The pain lasts for about a week, but it would take around 1-2 months for the swelling to go away completely. In the meanwhile, you'll be advised not to perform an aggressive physical activity such as cardio and weight-lifting for a month.

Note that the breast reduction surgery will leave permanent scars on the chest, but they would fade over time, or you could go for scar removal treatments

Post-Breast Reduction Surgery Safety Measures

It's essential to take the necessary safety precautions after your successful surgery. You'll feel uneasy at first because it is difficult to get used to the new shape, but this will change over time.

Make sure that you're taking care of yourself and protecting the wounds as advised by your surgeon. Avoid doing extensive physical exercises until full recovery. Remember that gaining weight may affect the results of the procedure, so you want to make sure that you have a healthy diet and you maintain your physique.

If your stitches come out or you experience swelling, infection and pus discharge from the wound, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Breast Reduction Surgery Before And After

Your surgeon will show you before and after pictures of your chest to see the results that were achieved. They might also show you their patient's before and after photos so that you could make up your mind and feel confident about going for the surgery.

Pros and Cons of Breast Reduction Surgery

Pros:

• • It makes it easier to perform daily activities and follow a fitness routine that includes cardio and aerobics.
• • It's an ultimate solution for women who have been experiencing neck, shoulder, and back pain due to their large breast size.
• • It makes men and women comfortable in their skin.
• • With advances in surgical methods, surgeons have found ways to preserve the milk production system so that women face no problems in breastfeeding their child.

Cons:

• • It would take a month or two to heal the stitches and for the swelling to go away completely. During the first few weeks, it will be difficult to perform activities such as taking a shower.
• • The time it would take to fade the scars will be longer, but even then, they wouldn't entirely disappear.

Does Health Insurance Cover Breast Reduction Treatment?

If you're going for a breast reduction surgery for medical reasons, the health insurance companies may cover it partially unless you provide a definite proof that you're undergoing a reconstructive procedure rather than doing it for aesthetic beauty. When the insurance companies review your documents for the procedure, they may give you a heads up and give you insurance coverage if they find it reconstructive otherwise they won’t cover the treatment if you want to have the treatment for cosmetic purposes.

Conclusion:

Breast Reduction Surgery would give the expected results and make your life easier, especially if you're someone who is experiencing physical discomfort due to large chest size. Now is the time to take charge and make the right decision.

To learn more about the procedure, please call us at (310)-402-2849, and request a complimentary consultation.