Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast Reduction Before and After Photos

Alleviating emotional discomfort, self-consciousness, and physical discomfort/limitations are some reasons women with large breasts pursue a breast reduction.  Most reduction mammaplasties are done to reduce weight-bearing pain in the upper neck and back and to relieve bra strap marks across the shoulders.  In addition, breast reduction procedures allow the patient a wider range of clothing, thus this procedure is also designed to improve the cosmetic appearance of the patient.  The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. 

The breast reduction procedure is comprised of two elements: the removal of excess breast tissue and reshaping of the breast followed by removal of excess skin and the redraping of the remaining skin. The techniques for accomplishing these reductions vary, but the most common procedure involves a small incision around the areola, or the pink flatter portion of the nipple, to reduce the size of the areola, and a vertical incision that extends from the nipple down to the fold under the breast. Occasionally, an incision is made that follows the fold under the breast. The excess glandular tissue, fat and skin is removed and the nipple and areola is moved into their new position. The skin is then redraped around the new breast mound, shaping the contour of your new breast. Liposuction is then used to contour the area under the armpit. In the majority of cases, the nipple remains attached to the underlying tissue which supplies it with blood and sensation. In patients with very large, pendulous breasts, there is the rare possibility that the nipples and areolas may have to be detached completely and grafted into their new position.

Most stitches are placed internally and dissolve over time. The few external stitches are removed at 14 days. In some cases the sutures may remain longer. In cases that require less tissue to be removed, liposuction alone may be used leaving only minimal scars.  The outcome is often a more proportional profile, diminished pain, and increased activity without the prior consequences of a heavier breast. 

This operation may be done under general anesthesia or local with sedation, “twilight sleep”, is done on an out-patient basis,  and takes approximately three hours.

Breast Reduction Before and After Photos
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