 What is breast reduction?
A surgical procedure that reduces the size and weight of the breasts, whilst at the same time lifting the bust into a better shape and position. What are the reasons for having the procedure?
Bust size is usually inherited and many girls feel that their breasts grow too large at an early stage of their development. A girl of even 11 or 12 years of age with breasts larger than her mother's can suffer social as well as physical problems. Often young girls try to hide their oversize and pendulous breasts in baggy sweaters, developing a ´shoulders forward´ unnatural posture, which in time can cause backache, shoulder and neck problems, which can stay with her throughout her life. Not all large-busted women develop these problems, but too many do. Another problem is that brassiere straps often cut into the shoulder flesh causing both discomfort and even deep scarring. Common amongst older women with large breasts is the problem of rashes that often develop in the fold under the breast, particularly in hot weather. Athletic ladies suffer both discomfort and impedance from large breasts. In short, large and heavy breasts pose a practical problem for both the young and mature woman, and can also become a health hazard. For the young woman who does not experience problems from her perceived oversized bust, the sole reason for surgery would be aesthetic. What is involved?
The surgery involves the reduction of skin, fat and glandular (milk-producing) tissue. The bust is re-formed into an attractive shape in keeping with the patient's body. Usually, this involves scarring around the areola (the pigmented nipple surround) down to the lower breast. Other techniques, not normally used in this clinic, involve a horizontal scar under the breast. Younger women particularly, should not be subject to longer horizontal incisions, which can leave ugly scarring. Nowadays, using the latest techniques, the horizontal scar can be left very short or avoided altogether. The liposuction method could be used, leaving only tiny scarring. However, this breast reduction technique is very new and not enough research has been undertaken in analysing the pros and cons of such surgery. The surgery in our clinic is normally carried out under local anaesthetic together with tranquillisers taking between 2 to 3 hours. The patient then returns home. If general anaesthetic is used the procedure takes a little less time, but the patient would probably have to stay in overnight. Is it painful?
Not during surgery, but for the first couple of days following, the breasts are swollen and tender, causing varying degrees of pain. Paracetamol, or paracetamol with codeine is most helpful. After 48 hours any pain will lessen into tenderness. How long is the convalescence period?
The aim is for any scarring to be as unnoticeable as possible. To this end, all suture lines are taped following surgery, and following the removal of the stitches after 3 weeks, new tape is put on for a further 1 to 3 months dependant upon the healing process. It is recommended that one takes it easy for up to six weeks or even longer following surgery. So the period of convalescence can be anything between 2 weeks and 3 months depending on the individual's profession and lifestyle. As healing proceeds, wounds can open along the suture lines. This is not uncommon, and these should only be treated with common-sense hygiene; soap and water. The surgeon will advise at the time. What about complications?
The larger the breasts and the more tissue involved in the procedure, the greater the risk of lessened feeling of the nipples and surrounding skin. This decrease in sensation can be temporary or permanent, but the satisfaction of having a lighter, more attractive bust far outweighs any loss of feeling which may result. As it is, all large-busted women inevitably lose some nipple sensation simply from the constant strain on the skin and nerves exerted by the heavy mass of breast. The blood circulation is disturbed by the surgery. In breasts rich in fatty (as against glandular) tissue, the risk of circulatory post-operative problems is greater caused by lower original circulation. When this occurs the healing period is extended by a week up to as long as two months. Segments of the remaining fatty tissue can die off and either melt away or harden. (Scarring and calcification) With skilful surgery, the risk of infection is small but nonetheless increased in overweight patients, or in those with particularly fatty breasts. Diabetics and smokers do, of course, carry an enhanced risk in all surgery. Primary infection and/or necrosis of the areola are the most serious complications during healing, but good surgical technique reduces these risks, and can ensure the continued ability to breast-feed. And finally?
One can well understand the difficulties of carrying two heavy, sagging breasts. Listening to patients who have undergone breast reduction, their delight at the feeling of relief and liberation is quite telling. Quite apart from the reduced weight carried, the relief stems from the lifting of so many living restrictions imposed on many big-breasted women, such as poor deportment and being unable to buy off-the-peg clothes, of having to hide in baggy sweaters, and then being free to be able to wear a bikini! Women who have undergone breast reduction - even those who have endured complications - belong to a very happy group! |
