BREAST REDUCTION

The cosmetic surgeon will choose one among the various surgical options before performing a breast reduction procedure.

Liposuction- For patients with a significant amount of fatty tissues in the body the procedure will be beneficial. The advantages of liposuction for breast reduction is that it is the least invasive process and do not involve any scarring though the results are long-lasting. But for patients with a greater amount of glandular breast tissues, this may not be helpful. Candidates who desire to obtain slight to moderate reduction in breast size and who have a good skin elasticity are the ideal candidates.

Tissue excision- This procedure is perfect for women with a lot of breast tissues. The candidates are first administered with general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation. The incisions can be made in the following ways:

• Circular pattern around the areola
• Keyhole or racquet-shaped pattern around the areola and then vertically down to the breast crease

After making the incisions, the nipple may be repositioned if required. The areolar perimeter may be reduced by excising the skin. Then the underlying breast tissues are reduced, elevated and given a proper shape. For extremely large pendulous breasts the nipple and areola may be repositioned to bring a proportionate appearance. At the end of the procedure, the incisions are brought together to suture up. The sutures are layered up deep within the breasts. Then they are covered up with skin adhesive or bandages.  The incision lines are permanent but they will fade away with time. The results will be visible immediately after undergoing the procedure but the final results are obtained when the surgical swelling goes away.

Women who demonstrate physical pain, usually in the back or shoulders, caused by the excessive weight of large breasts. The excess volume can also cause skin irritation underneath the breast. Women who have difficulty finding clothes that fit, because their breasts are too large in proportion to their body frame; who have one breast that is much larger than the other and dissatisfaction of their self-image because of large breasts.

Immediately after undergoing the procedure, the dressing or bandages are applied on the incisions. An elastic bra or bandage may be used to minimize the swelling and support the breasts while they heal. A tiny tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain out the excess blood or fluid. The patients are usually instructed to start brisk walking from the next day after undergoing the surgery. Most of the patients feel ready to resume their work and other light activities within a week after the procedure. The surgeon may ask the candidate to resume exercising after three to four weeks i.e. after they completely heal. To ensure a complication-free recovery, following the surgeon’s instruction is very important.

The scars are the most undesirable part of the procedure that though may fade over time but they will never completely vanish. The scars may become worse in case of any infection at the incision sites. There may be some risks associated with the procedure that includes scarring, infection, changes in nipple sensation, anaesthesia risks, bleeding, blood clots, poor wound healing, asymmetric breasts, fluid accumulation, etc.

The candidate after completing their consultation are evaluated by their surgeon to find if they are ideal for the surgery or not. Some lab tests may be performed and the medical history is also reviewed. The candidate is restricted from taking drugs or cigarettes as they impair the recovery. Some anti-inflammatory medicines, herbal supplements may make cause blood thinning and increase bruising and other complications. The surgeons then administer the patient with the appropriate dose of anaesthesia to make sure that the patient experience no pain during the procedure. At the end of the procedure, the patients are discharged depending on their physical condition and provided with post-op instructions that must be followed to avoid complications. A supporting bra may also be provided to support the healing.