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Breast reduction

Reduction mammoplasty

 

Bad posture, pain in some parts of the body and difficulty to find fitting clothes for your figure are some of the reasons that could lead you to a breast reduction surgery. In consultation we will define which technique will allow you to correct the problems of size, asymmetry, shape or look of your breasts to achieve better results.

Breast reduction surgery procedure

The kind of breast reduction technique used by the plastic surgeon will be selected according to the next parameters:

 

  • The size of the breasts.
  • The shape of the breasts.
  • The downturn of the breasts.
  • The current position of the areolas and nipples.
  • The medical history of the patient.
  • The patient’s preferences regarding size and incision technique.
  • The objectives and wishes of the patient regarding a breast reduction surgery.

Which are the incision techniques?

The incision techniques available to the patient during a breast reduction surgery are:

  • Micro incisions: This technique is used for breast reduction surgery where the breasts are fatty but not sagging. Little incisions allow the entry of a tube to the breast. This procedure is not for everyone, only for a specific group. The plastic surgeon will determine if the patient is candidate for micro incisions.

 

  • Periareolar incision: The plastic surgeon will perform an incision at the border or the areola. With this type of technique for a reduction mammoplasty, the patient will have less scars, hidden by the color of the areola.

 

  • Lollipop: During the breast reduction surgery, the patient will submit to an incision at the border of the areola going down to the fold of the breasts.

 

  • Anchorage incision: This is the most used technique in breast reduction surgery. It’s the most invasive procedure and the one that leaves the most scars. The plastic surgeon performs an incision in the perimeter of the areola, going down until the breast fold and horizontally through the mammary furrow.

As stated before, most breast reduction surgery need the three incisions. Later, the excess mammary tissue, fat and skin is removed. The nipples and areolas are placed in a higher position than before. If the areolas present a larger than normal size, the plastic surgeon will reduce it. In some cases, liposuction is necessary to improve the shape beneath the arms.

 

The reduction mammoplasty is an ambulatory process which uses local anesthesia plus sedation in most cases. The duration of the procedure is 3 to 5 hours, depending on the applied technique.

Limitations and risks of breast reduction

As it happens with most surgical procedures, breast reduction surgery is not free from risks, among them:

 

  • Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
  • Blood accumulation beneath the skin that must be removed.
  • Infection.
  • Bruises.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Unsatisfactory results that could lead to additional procedures.

Care and recovery after breast reduction

After a breast reduction surgery, the surgeon must give information and detailed instructions to the patient regarding postoperative care, the symptoms that could arise and signs of a possible complication. Moreover, he must discuss the recovery-time frame before going back to normal activity.

 

Immediately after reduction mammoplasty, the patient will experience pain, uncomfortableness and disorientation episodes due to the waning effects of anesthesia. Support clothing, circulatory-helping socks and drainages will be necessary. After a few hours in observation, the patient can leave the hospital with a previous explanation on how to take care of the incisions, the bandage changes and the attention to the drainages needed.

 

Breast reduction surgery is for people who:

  • Are of an appropriate age so their breast won’t keep growing.
  • Have a good general health.
  • Have realistic expectations and goals.
  • Wish to improve their figure and physical appearance.
  • Have good mental and emotional health.
  • Have decided not to have any more kids.