Breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and excess skin, to achieve a new size proportional to your body and to relieve the discomfort associated with large breasts (macromastia). Patients may experience the physical discomfort of large breasts, in some cases, pain can make it difficult to perform physical activities, and although the reduction mammaplasty procedure is used to treat medical problems, those who do not show symptoms of breast enlargement but are not satisfied with their breast size can still pursue breast reduction as a cosmetic procedure.
Ideal Candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery
You may also experience physical pain, discomfort, and discomfort. You may be a candidate for reduction mammaplasty surgery if:
- You are in good physical health.
- You have realistic odds.
- Do not smoke.
- You are bothered by the feeling that you have large breasts.
- You have large breasts that interfere with your daily physical activities.
- You feel pain in the back, neck and shoulder caused by the heaviness of the breast.
- You have shoulder gaps caused by your bra straps.
- You have skin irritation under the breast folds
What to expect during a consultation before breast reduction surgery?
The success and safety of a reduction mammaplasty procedure largely depends on your complete honesty during your discussion. You will be asked a number of questions about your health, requests and lifestyle.
During your breast reduction consultation, be prepared for the following:
- Why do you want the surgery and what are your expectations and results?
- Your medical condition, and if you are allergic to any medications.
- The medicines you use, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol and tobacco.
- The surgeries you have performed previously.
- Having a family history of breast cancer and the results of any mammograms or breast biopsies you’ve had.
Procedures performed by your plastic surgeon:
- An assessment of your general health and any pre-existing conditions or risk factors.
- He or she examines your breast, and may take detailed measurements of its size and shape, skin quality, and the position of the areola and nipples.
- He looks at your medical record and takes a copy of it.
- He discusses with you your preferences, expected results and any potential complications.
- Discusses the anesthesia used during the breast reduction procedure.
What should I ask the surgeon about when I have a reduction in mammoplasty surgery?
Use this list as your guide as you discuss breast reduction:
- What is the experience in the field of plastic surgery?
- How many times have you had mammoplasty?
- Where and how will the breast reduction surgery be performed?
- Do you have a recommended hospital for breast reduction surgery? If so, in which hospital?
- Am I a good candidate for reduction in mammaplasty surgery?
- What requirements do I need to get the best results from breast reduction surgery?
- What surgical techniques are recommended for me?
- How long in the recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help should I expect during the recovery period?
- What are the complications of surgery?
- How are the risks of reducing mammaplasty treated?
- Does breast reduction affect breastfeeding?
- What is expected for the breast after pregnancy and breastfeeding?
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome, what are the expected options?
- Do you have pictures of previous operations before and after the operation that I can see? What are the expected results for me after breast reduction surgery?
Preparing for breast reduction surgery
Before the breast reduction surgery, you may be asked to:
- Performing a laboratory examination or medical evaluation of your condition.
- Stop taking some medications, especially liquidity medications.
- You may be asked to have a breast x-ray before and after the operation to help detect any changes in the breast tissue in the future.
- Long before the operation, you must stop smoking.
You will be given some instructions:
- What you should do on the day of surgery.
- Care and follow-up after breast reduction surgery.
Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where the procedure will be performed.
Breast reduction surgery steps
Breast reduction surgery is generally performed by making incisions in the breast through which excess fat, glandular tissue and sagging skin are removed.
In some cases, the excess fat can be removed by liposuction surgery with the following excision methods, however, liposuction alone can be used in the reduction mammoplasty procedure, if the breast size is due to the presence of excess fat.
The technique used in breast reduction surgery and the amount of reduction required are explained below.
First: Anesthesia
- Anesthesia is given for your comfort during the breast reduction procedure.
Second: incision
incision options include the following:
- A circular incision around the areola: expected scars are visible and permanent, although they are generally hidden under a swimsuit or bra.
- Keyhole pattern or cut around the areola and goes down perpendicular to the breast crease.
- Inverted T-slit pattern.
Third: the removal of fat and tissue and its placement
- After the incision is made, the nipple is also removed and the areola is reduced by removing the surrounding skin, if necessary.
- Breast tissue is reduced, lifted and shaped. Sometimes, for very large drooping breasts, the nipple and areola may need to be removed and placed higher on the breast.
Fourth: Closing the incision
- The incisions close together.
- The sutures are concentrated deep in the breast tissue to produce and support the newly formed breasts.
- Uses sutures, skin ties, and/or surgical tape to close the skin.
- Incision lines are permanent, but in extreme cases they will fade and improve significantly over time.
Fifth: Expected results
- The results of breast reduction surgery appear immediately.
- Over time, the post-operative swelling will disappear and the wound lines will fade.
- When the reduction mammaplasty procedure is completed, bandages or tapes will be placed over the incisions, and an elastic bra or supportive bra may be worn to reduce swelling and support the viscera during recovery.
- A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
- The results of the breast reduction surgery will be long lasting and your new breast size should help relieve the pain and physical limitations you experienced prior to the breast reduction.
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