About This Breast Plastic Surgery Procedure
The breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a commonly performed operation and is designed to make bigger breasts, smaller, lighter, symmetrical and more proportionate to the body of the woman. In many cases, the areola around the nipple is reduced in size, and nipples are elevated position. You can use liposuction to remove some of the excess fat, but it is absolutely necessary to cut and remove the glandular tissue and excess skin.
To whom is this procedure recommended for?
The breast reduction procedure is for women with breasts too large who would like to resolve one or more of the following:
- Back pain, neck or shoulders.
- The pain and shoulder grooves due to the pressure of the strap fastener.
- Sleep disruption or restriction of physical activities.
- Irritation, rashes or chafing of the skin under the breasts.
- Fall of the breasts due to excess weight.
It is important to have realistic expectations about the results, so this should be discussed frankly with the surgeon. Each patient and surgeon also has different perspectives on what is a desirable size and shape for breasts. The purpose of surgery is to make your breasts proportionate, but it is difficult to guarantee the size of the cup that will result.
Procedure:
Techniques for breast reduction vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision (like an inverted “T”) around the areola, extends to below and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. The surgeon removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, and performs a transposition of the nipple areola complex in a new position and involves the skin on both sides of the bottom of the breast and around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast.
In most cases, the nipple remains attached to its blood vessels and nerves. However, if your breasts are extremely large or very ptotic, it may be necessary to completely remove the nipple areola complex to place in a higher position. This would result in a loss of sensation in the nipple areola complex.
Risks:
Complications are infrequent and usually minor, although no surgical procedure is without risk. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the breast and nipple areola complex, visible irregularities in the skin, asymmetry, and the accumulation of fluid under the skin, which may need to be drained by aspiration or other surgical procedure.
Results:
As a result of the operation scars on the breast are permanently, but they are placed with care to be relatively hidden once healed, and that can be hidden by the bra and swimwear. People who smoke may have a recovery process much slower and much larger scars. The procedure also can cause the breasts to be slightly disproportionate or the nipples to be positioned unevenly. There is no problem when breastfeeding, by contrast, is always recommended.
Rarely, the nipple areola complex will lose its blood supply and causing the tissue to die, but it exists. The areola and nipple can be reconstructed, however, however, using grafts of other body parts.
After surgery, we place a special bra, which must be used 24 hours a day during the first four weeks. You may have to place a small drain in each breast for a day or two to drain blood and fluids.
Micropore ® should be used for no rubbing or friction points directly to the wound with dressing while protecting the wound.
Aftercare:
You may experience occasional pain for a couple of weeks. It is important to avoid lifting or pushing heavy objects for three or four weeks. Most women can return to work, provided that their work does not require much physical effort; and to their social life in two weeks. You will have less strength for several weeks so you are advised to limit exercise to stretching and swimming until you feel your energy level is normal again. It is important to use a bra that gives support as detailed above, and cannot use a bra with a rod at least 6 weeks.
Although most of the swelling and bruising will disappear during the first weeks, it may take up to six months or a year for your breasts to accommodate its new shape. Even then, they may suffer fluctuations in response to hormonal changes due to weight and pregnancies.