Overly large breasts can cause some women to have both health and emotional problems as well as causing physical pain and discomfort. The weight of excess breast tissue can also impair your ability to lead an active life.
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate any physical and social discomfort associated with overly large breasts.
Breast reduction is a highly individualized procedure, which should be done for one’s self, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit a sort of ideal image. Breast reduction may be a good option if:
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
- Your breasts limit your physical activity
- You experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
- You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
- Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
- Your nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
- You have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin
A consultation with Dr. Han is the first step to learn how breast reduction can enhance your body image. A consultation is designed to fully educate you about breast reduction in a non-pressured environment, and will include a discussion of:
- Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
- Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
- Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
- Previous surgeries
- Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies
The doctor may also:
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
- Take photographs for your medical record
- Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
- Discuss likely outcomes of breast reduction and any risks or potential complications
- Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast reduction
By making the decision to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Han and following all the instructions given, you are taking an important step in helping to assure your safety.
Possible risks of a breast reduction include but are not limited too:
- Unfavorable scarring
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Blood clots
- Poor wound healing
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Skin discoloration, pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
- Breast asymmetry
- Excessive firmness of the breast
- Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis)
- Possibility of revisional surgery
You should also know that:
- Breast reduction surgery can interfere with certain diagnostic procedures
- Breast and nipple piercing can cause an infection
- Your ability to breastfeed following reduction mammaplasty may be limited; talk to your doctor if you are planning to nurse a baby
- The procedure can be performed at any age, but is best done when your breasts are fully developed
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks or potential complications.
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
- Avoid taking aspiring, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
Special instructions you receive will cover:
- What to do on the day of surgery
- Post-operative care and follow-up
It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress. It’s very important to address all your questions and concerns directly with the doctor.
Breast reduction may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery center or our accredited office-based surgical suite. Anesthesia will be administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure, either or general anesthesia.
If your breast reduction procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Breast reduction is usually performed through incisions on your breasts with surgical removal of excess fat, glandular tissue and skin.
In some cases, liposuction may be used in conjunction with or in place of the excision techniques described below to remove excess fat.
Step 1 – An incision is made in one of three different patterns around the areola.
Step 3 – After the incision is made, the nipple is then repositioned. Underlying breast tissue is reduced, lifted and shaped. Occasionally, for extremely large pendulous breasts, the nipple and areola may need to be removed and transplanted to a higher position on the breast (free nipple graft).
Step 4 – The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Sutures and skin adhesives and/or surgical tape are used and incision lines are permanent, but usually fade and improve over time.
When your procedure is complete dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. An elastic bandage or support bra may be worn to minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
The doctor will also instruct you how to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and when to come in for follow-up visits. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heartbeats seek medical attention immediately.
The results of breast reduction surgery will be long-lasting. Your new breast size should help relieve you from the pain and physical imitations experienced prior to breast reduction. Your better proportioned figure will likely enhance your self-image and boost your self confidence. However, over time your breasts can change due to aging, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity.
