Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)

 

Large, pendulous breasts may cause a woman to experience various medical problems caused by the excessive weight of the breast tissue. Problems with posture, skeletal deformities, back and neck pain, and skin irritations are common with this condition. Bra straps often leave indentations in the shoulder area. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often associated with having large pendulous breasts is as important an issue to many women as the physical discomfort and pain.
 
Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) removes fat, glandular tissue, and excessive skin, resulting in smaller, lighter breasts that are better-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body.

 
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Goal Of Surgery Prior To Your Surgery Risks of Surgery Includes
Reduce size and weight of breasts

Alleviate pain

Improve balance of your figure

Enhance self-image

 Get medical evaluation and lab studies

Get mammogram

Stop smoking

Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs

 Unfavorable scarring                        Bleeding

Change nipple sensation                  Infection

Loss of skin/nipple                       Asymmetry

Inability to breast feed                           Pain

 

PLANNING

During your initial consultation with Dr. Olivier, she will thoroughly discuss your desires and expectations for breast reduction/reduction mammaplasty with you. After a comprehensive history and physical examination, Dr. Olivier will review the surgical options and recommend the one that she thinks is best of your body type. Dr. Olivier will discuss specific instructions for preparing for surgery, including diet and medication requirements. She will also clearly explain your post-surgery needs so that you can prepare in advance.

PROCEDURE

Breast reduction surgery/reduction mammaplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are usually around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease (short scar/lollipop incision). After the incision is made, the nipple (which remains attached to its original blood and nerve supply) 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).

The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape close the skin. Some incision lines resulting from breast reduction are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

RECOVERY

After your breast reduction/reduction mammaplasty procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You’ll need to wear a surgical support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.  A small, thin tube (drain) may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect after breast lift surgery. The drain is usually removed in the first post-operative office visit.

Although many factors are involved with determining your actual recovery time for breast reduction, you will likely experience a post-surgical recovery period of two to three weeks and an additional period of reduced-activity. You will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of Dr. Olivier. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following breast reduction surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.

RELATED PROCEDURES

Breast reduction is most often performed as an isolated procedure. However, it most commonly may be combined with body contouring procedures such as Liposuction.

CONTACT US

If you would like to learn more about Breast Reduction/Reduction Mammaplasty in New York, we invite you to meet with Dr. Olivier who is a female, board certified plastic surgeon for a private consultation at our Brooklyn office, located at 185 Montague Street .  Contact us by calling 718-624-5796.
 
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For additional information on Breast Reduction visit:
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures/ReductionMammaplasty.cfm