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What is Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction, in medical terms known as reduction mammaplasty, is done on women having very large breasts. It is sought by many women to ease the physical trauma and painful tension on neck, shoulders and back caused by excessively heavy breasts. The pain can be so severe that it leads to chronic medical complications.
Why is breast reduction done?
Breast reduction is usually performed for physical relief rather than for cosmetic reasons. The problems associated with large breasts are:
- Chronic headaches, back neck pain
- Poor posture
- Skin rash under the breasts
- Numbness in stretched tissues
- Deep grooves in the shoulders from bra strap pressure
- Restricted levels of activity
- Self-esteem problems Difficulty wearing certain clothing.
What does the process involve?
This procedure involves removal of excess breast tissue, fat and skin; and the nipple and areola are moved into their new position to reshape and lift the breasts. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from the armpit area.
The results are smaller, lighter, better-shaped breasts that are in proportion with the rest of the body.
Care to be taken post surgery:
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, apply a moisturizer, but be sure to keep the suture (stitches) area dry. Light activities can be resumed within a few days, although your chest area will be painful. Avoid sex for a week or more, since sexual stimulation can cause incisions to bloat. Routine and strenuous physical activity should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. This will make the scars heal fast.
Some women at times experience stinging pains for a few months, especially around the time of menstruation. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by swelling. This usually disappears over the first few weeks, but may last a year also.
Who all can get mammaplasty done:
Women undergoing breast reduction surgery cover a range of ages, from their teens to their 80s. However, for younger women, it is usually advisable to wait until age 20 to make sure their breasts have fully matured.
If you plan to have children, keep in mind that breast reduction surgery may decrease your ability to breast-feed. And the overall appearance of your breasts may change after having a baby.
Risks:
Breast reduction is a safe but not a simple operation. Complications include:
- Bleeding, infection and delayed healing
- Some patients develop small sores around their nipples after surgery; these can be treated with antibiotic creams.
- The procedure leaves permanent scars, although your bra or swimming suit will cover them.
- The surgery can also leave behind slightly mismatched breasts or unevenly positioned nipples.
- Future breast-feeding may not be possible, since the surgery removes many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples.
- Some patients may experience a permanent loss of feeling in their nipples or breasts. The nipple and areola can be rebuilt using skin grafts from elsewhere on the body, but that requires another surgery.
Unless you gain or lose a considerable amount of weight or become pregnant, your breast size should remain constant. However, with age, you should expect change in their shape and size. After all nothing is permanent.