Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is the
surgery to reduce the weight, mass and size of the
breasts.
There are several reasons for requiring this
procedure.
-
Backaches
-
Neckaches
-
Difficulty in breathing
-
Numbness of any portion of the breasts and upper
chest due to the excessive weight of the breasts
Contraindications for surgery
-
History of irregular mammograms
-
Undiagnosed lumps or other types of masses
-
Diabetes
-
Wound healing and clotting disorders,
-
Lactating (or have recently ceased)
The surgery is usually performed with general
anesthesia.
While most patients stay overnight at the
hospital, occasionally patients are able to go
home the day of surgery
Typically, incisions are around the nipple, from
the nipple down to the chest wall, and side to
side under the breasts
The incisions are designed so the scars will not
be visible while wearing normal clothing
The surgeon removes excess breast tissue and skin
then repositions the nipple and areola
appropriately. The skin is then closed around the
new breast mound
A drain may be left in place at the time of
surgery and removed several days later.
Sutures are removed within the first two weeks
following surgery. In some cases no external
sutures are used.
Potential complications of the surgery are:
- Postoperative
bleeding
- Infection
- Obvious scars
- Failure of the
nipple and areola to "take" or heal
- rregularities
in the final size and shape of the breasts or in
the positioning of the areola and nipple.
- Decrease in
sensation of the nipple.
- Permanent
inability to breast-feed after having the
surgery.
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