Breast Reduction Description & Benefits

A Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty), is a surgical procedure that brings the breasts into better proportion with the rest of the body by removing fat, excess breast tissue and skin. The areola, or darker skin around the nipple, may be reduced and repositioned as well. Breast Reduction Surgery is a procedure for reshaping exceptionally large breasts surgically to increase your comfort and satisfaction. Overly large breasts frequently have a considerable affect on self-confidence and can even affect personal relationships. The aim of surgery is to give you smaller, shapelier breasts that are in proportion to the rest of your body. For numerous women, it’s not just the aesthetic issues they want to address in considering a Surgical Breast Reduction, for many it is also about feeling physically better, as many women (and men) experience problems associated with overly large breasts such as back pain, neck pain, and skin irritations to even more serious issues like skeletal deformations and breathing problems. One of the most common problems comes from the bra straps. Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but plastic surgeons usually recommend waiting until breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast reduction before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. If you plan to breast-feed in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Breast Reduction Procedure Steps

The most common method of reducing the breasts involves three incisions. One incision is made around the areola. Another runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. The third incision follows the natural curve of the breast crease. After the excess tissue, fat, and skin have been eliminated, the entire breast is then lifted to a higher position on the chest. The surgeon may then opt to use liposuction to contour the underarm and if possible will preserve sensation by keeping the nipples and areolas attached to underlying mounds of tissue. Although there are no guarantees, the ability to breast-feed may also be preserved by this method. In cases where the breasts are extremely large, it may be necessary to completely detach the nipples and areolas. Under these circumstances, the patient must sacrifice sensation and the ability to breast feed to achieve the desired size.

Breast Reduction Recovery

The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short periods of time. After several days, you will be able to move about more comfortably. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, however, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back to avoid pressure on your breasts. Any surgical drains will be removed a day or two after surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or removed. You will be instructed to wear a support bra for a few weeks, until the swelling and discoloration of your breasts diminishes. Generally, stitches will be removed in stages over a period of approximately three weeks, beginning about one week after surgery. After breast reduction surgery, it is often possible to return to work within just a couple of weeks, depending on your job. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after several weeks.

Shop for Breast Reduction Recovery Products

You can find a way variety of products designed to help you have the best preparation and recovery from your procedure at the:

Breast Reduction Store

Breast Reduction Side Effects & Risks

Following the breast reduction, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical or the nipple height may vary slightly. If desired, minor adjustments can be made at a later time. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts may occur rarely. Revisionary surgery is sometimes helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly. In the unlikely event of injury to or loss of the nipple and areola, they usually can be satisfactorily reconstructed using skin grafts. After the breast reduction, you may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort, but such feelings are normal. You may notice that you feel less sensation in the nipple and areola areas. This usually is temporary. It may, however, take weeks, months or even more than a year before sensation returns to normal. Your breasts may also require some time to assume a more natural shape. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery.

Breast Reduction Costs

The average cost of a Breast Reduction is anywhere from $5400-7800, depending on the physician and areas treated.

Related Breast Reduction Articles

Check out related Breast Reduction Articles