What to Know About Breast Reduction Surgery

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Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is a kind of surgery which is getting popular day by day. Not only females, but males are also benefited with this innovation in medical science and its ultra modern techniques. The well-versed and skilled surgeon easily removes all the excess fat of the breast and helps people in resolving medical and aesthetic issues simultaneously. Due to its advantages and minimum complications, more than 90,000 surgeries are performed each year according to the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

Reasons/Conditions that force people to undergo this surgery

People who have large breasts suffer from many physical, mental and emotional effects as well. Breast Reduction surgery which is also called Mammaplasty surgery is a tried and tested reliable surgery that resolves all the issues. Many females face the issue of stretched and sagging breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss and it becomes the fundamental reason to take the decision of this surgery. Doctors recommend this surgery to males who have Gynecomastia which is a medical condition in which the breast tissues swell due to high levels of estrogen. The goal of male breast reduction surgery is to remove any excess fatty or glandular tissue to achieve a flatter, firmer-looking chest.

The first and foremost problem is extra large and heavy breasts which are not proportionate with the body and hinder the overall appearance of a person. Most people face clothing issues due to this. It becomes difficult for them to find accurately fitted innerwear and other clothes as well. Sometimes people have uneven breast size and volume which lead them to plan for this surgery.

Physical and Psychological issues that people have due to overly large breast are:

  • Deep grooves caused by bra straps pressure
  • Rashes and skin irritation under or between breasts
  • Chronic Pain in Chest, Neck, Back and Shoulders
  • Headaches
  • Poor Posture
  • Low or zero tolerance for exercise
  • Sleep Disturbance
  • Breathing Shortness
  • Numbness
  • Low self-esteem
  • Loneliness
  • Poor self-confidence
  • Restriction in many physical activities

Breast Reduction surgery certainly improves overall health and boosts self-confidence in the people who are suffering from above mentioned issues. It can aid in all the physical and psychological negative impacts due to overly large breasts.

Concerns: you must be aware of while going ahead

There are many aspects a patient must be aware about when decided for this surgery.

The surgeon: The surgeon you choose must be well-qualified and well-experienced. He must have well-educated staff and ultra-modern infrastructure in the highly hygienic clinic. You must have a thorough discussion about the plans he has for your surgery and the results he can promise to offer so that your expectations and real result can match perfectly.

The Procedure: This surgery is done under general anesthesia so you will not experience any pain during the surgery. You must be aware about the method by which the surgeon is going to help you. To simplify, you need to know which procedure he is going to opt to put the things right. Whether liposuction or vertical or Inverted T will work for you as it is individualized and can vary according to the person’s need and choice.

In the liposuction process The surgeon will make small cuts in the skin and insert a thin tube which is connected to a vacuum and that tube suctions fat and fluids from your breast. This is the best option for those who require small reductions.

In vertical procedure The surgeon will make cuts around areola and down to the crease beneath the breast and remove extra fat and tissues then reshape the breast and give lift to it by repositioning the nipple and areola. This process is effective for moderate breast reduction and the people who have visible sagging.

Inverted T or Anchor This method is preferred for large reductions and the people who have a lot of sagging and unevenness in the shape and size of each breast. In this the surgeon makes cuts around the edge of the areola, from the areola to the breast crease, and along the crease underneath the breast. The nipple and areola might need to be removed and reattached at a higher position as a skin graft.

The Eligibility or the right candidate for the surgery

Age: It is highly recommended that one must be physically developed completely. A person who wants to undergo this surgery must reach puberty first then think for this surgery otherwise one may have to take another surgery after the age of puberty. In some rare cases doctors advise to opt for this surgery in teenagers.

Health and Weight loss: The person must be healthy enough to bear the pain and trauma of the surgery. One must be having his or her ideal weight. If anyone have plans for weight loss or to go to the gym then it must be done prior to the surgery.

Motherhood: If you are planning to be a mother in near future then you must do it before the surgery.

Other Precautions

You must share your medical history with your doctor so that he can guide you throughout the process from consultation to preoperative, postoperative recovery period and during the surgery. Your doctor must know if you are on any kind of medications as you may need to stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs as these can increase bleeding.

Your surgeon will do a routine breast examination and a mammogram in which they will click some photographs with your consent. They will do some lab tests and take urine and blood samples as well.

You must be a non-smoker for at least for 2 to 3 weeks in order to heal quickly and easily after the surgery.

Smoking can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of nipple or areola tissue damage and other risks therefore it is essential to quit smoking before the surgery.

Recovery period

Most people can go home after a few hours of the surgery, as long as they do not experience any complications. Before you leave the clinic, you will receive specific postoperative instructions and some prescribed medicines which will help to reduce pain, scarring and prevent infections. You will need rest while your breast heals. As a patient you must avoid doing exercise that puts stress on the chest. Generally, a patient recovers in one or two weeks and can return to the sedentary lifestyle. You can resume your normal routine and start the activities that need physical exertion after a period of at least one month.

The risks and complications

Breast Reduction surgery is a safe and effective medical procedure in which patients experience minimum complications if they follow the doctors’ instructions precisely. People who are obese and are regular smokers may have higher postoperative risk than others. Alike other surgeries, this also comes with its complications that are as follows:

  • Loss of sensation around the nipples and areola (may be temporary or permanent)
  • Uneven placement of nipples or low placed nipples
  • Enlarged areolas
  • Different breast size and shape irregularities
  • Difficulty in breastfeeding
  • Discoloration of the skin around the breast
  • Excessive firmness of the breast
  • Possibility of revision surgery
  • Poor wound healing
  • Loss of skin/tissue where incisions meet
  • Damage to nerves and blood vessels
  • Allergic reactions to anesthesia or other medications
  • Pain, Swelling, Bruising, Infection, Blood clot, Bleeding, Scarring

You must contact your doctor at once if you notice

  • any sign of infection, including redness, tenderness or unusual swelling at the surgical site, or fever
  • If you have any unusual discharge ( pus or fluid)from the incision site
  • If any of the stitches come out before due period

Although all these complications are very rare and minimal, if you experience any of these your doctor can overcome the situation with some medications and counseling. There are possibilities that some people have an emotional imbalance or trauma after the surgery. This is quite normal and your surgeon will certainly help you out in this concern as well. Make sure to share all the issues you experience with your doctor.

Conclusion
Breast reduction surgery or mammaplasty is considered a very common surgery for most of the females with large breasts. The success rate of this surgery is very high as the risks involved in it are avoidable and are extremely rare. A successful breast reduction surgery can effectively relieve the patient from almost every medical and aesthetic concern and provide better overall health and appearance and a better-proportioned figure will certainly enhance your self-esteem and body image. The final result after recovery is generally permanent though breast shape and size can change caused by aging and weight gain or loss.

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