Breast reduction surgery

Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, is designed to reduce the overall size of very large breasts, and thus enhance their appearance. Breast reduction will also relieve the physical discomfort caused by very large breasts, such as neck, back and shoulder pain, and skin rashes beneath the breasts. In this procedure, excess breast tissue and skin are removed, and the areola may be reduced and repositioned. If you are planning to lose weight, your surgeon will usually recommend that you stabilize your weight before having surgery. In addition, this procedure should be considered after childbearing and deciding that there will be no further pregnancies. The procedure lasts 3 - 4 hours, and is performed under general anesthesia.

Complications from breast reduction are as follows: bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. Following reduction, sometimes the breasts are not perfectly symmetrical, and minor adjustments can be made at a later date. Permanent hypertrophy of scars can also be an issue. Partial or complete loss of sensation of the nipples or skin of the breasts is possible. If you elect to have this surgery prior to bearing/nursing children, your ability to breastfeed may be affected.

Returning to normal activity varies for all patients. Many patients are back at work in 3 - 6 weeks. The incisions from your surgery will fade over time, but the incision lines will be permanently visible, and in some patients more than in others. Gravity and aging will eventually alter the size and shape of every woman's breasts, but unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight, your breast size should remain fairly constant.

The information provided here is a general overview of plastic surgery procedures. Detailed information about the particular procedure that you wish to undergo will be provided during your initial visit with the surgeon.