Some people have breasts that are too large for their frame, and such large breasts can result in back and shoulder pain. Reductions are usually recommended for those with asymmetrical breasts, overly large breasts, or those who have sagging or drooping. The procedure can result in a lifted appearance and a firmer look to the breasts without going under the knife for an enlargement.
Who Is a Candidate for a Breast Reduction?
A breast reduction involves removing fat and breast tissue from the breast. This surgery has been a popular choice for women and men who have had children or choose to have breast augmentation. Both procedures also remove existing scars and can help improve the appearance of the breasts if they are too small or drooping. This procedure is for those too large for the patient’s frame and should not be performed on someone with breasts that are so small as to be considered an abnormality.
Procedure
A breast reduction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and is performed using general or local anesthesia. Your surgeon will make an incision around the areola, removing any excess skin. Your surgeon will then reposition your nipples higher to reduce the saggy look you may be experiencing, changing their original shape.
The surgeon will then rework the area beneath the breast, removing any excess fat to reshape your figure and give you a better shape. Repositioning the nipples and fatty tissue removal will also improve how your breast looks from the side.
Risks
There are some risks associated with any surgery. However, the most severe risks of a reduction procedure involve bleeding or infection. While several potential complications may arise while performing a mammoplasty, they tend to be temporary since there is minimal scarring in the breast area. Since birth, if you have had an over the prominent breast, it will likely cause you to experience pain and discomfort; however, this is temporary.
Why Is This Procedure Performed?
A reduction is usually made to improve the appearance of a more extensive breast, restore proper shape, or correct asymmetry. Women with a large chest may want to consider a breast reduction to make the cleavage more prominent or correct an asymmetrical appearance. Those who have drooping breasts may have them lifted and firm with surgery.
In addition to a change in breast size, it can be performed to restore a more youthful appearance. In some cases, however, an augmentation may be performed simultaneously for those who desire larger breasts.
If you’re experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain from having overly large breasts and wish to explore your options for a reduction, talk with your doctor about the procedure and discuss any questions. You can also visit a credible source like plasticsurgery.org for more information about if this is the correct procedure for you.
Procedures Available for the Reduction Process
1. Reduction of Surgery
This is the most common form of surgery in which reduction is performed, the skin is incised, and some fat and glandular tissue are removed. There are two sets of incisions in this surgery, one for each breast, which is made starting from around 1 to 2 inches from the nipple on your underside to about 1 inch directly below the nipple on your upper side. This type of surgery differs from other procedures in that while other operations are performed on the same spot, your surgeon will move some skin and breast tissue out of the area and reduce the size of the breast. The incisions are made as close to the nipple as possible so that nipple sensation is not affected. The nipples can also be moved slightly inwards.
2. Reduction with Lift
Many women who have a large chest and feel flat after most procedures opt for a breast lift at the same time. In this procedure, your surgeon makes one or more incisions around your areola, removes excess skin and fat, and repositions the breasts to give you a more natural look. Your surgeon will remove excess fatty tissue underneath the breast using liposuction or suction. The nipples can be moved slightly inward to help give you a more lifted look. The breasts can also be reduced in size in this procedure as well according to nih.gov.
3. Reduction With Pull
In this procedure, the breast is opened, and a portion of the breast tissue is removed. The chest muscles are then moved outward and upward to create more vertical space in the breasts. It can be done on both sides, while some surgeons do not perform it on both sides as an option to reduce cost. In this procedure, your nipples are sometimes not moved, and you may suffer from nipple damage or discomfort.
What You Can Expect From a Reduction
Many women considering having a reduction will have questions about how the surgery can affect their breasts. It is natural to worry about how you will look after the procedure and how it may impact your life. To help you better understand what you can expect from this type of surgery, here are some answers to some of the most common questions that people ask about it.
– You should know that a reduction is not any different from other types of surgeries in general.
-It is performed under general anesthesia, which means that you will be asleep during the procedure.
-Afterwards, you may have some soreness in the area and possibly some bruising. If you have a breast lift and a reduction, you may experience some swelling after the surgery.
– Redness and swelling are normal after reduction surgery. Swelling is most evident in your upper chest near your collarbone; however, your surgeon will most likely prescribe medication to help reduce the symptoms of this side effect.
– It can take a few days or weeks before the scars are healed.
-Will I be able to breastfeed after a reduction? It depends on how much removal your surgeon performed. If there is not much tissue removed, you will be able to breastfeed immediately after the procedure.
-On the other hand, if there was significant tissue removed, you won’t be able to nurse while your breasts are healing. It is generally considered safe to begin breastfeeding once you have recovered from the procedure and feel full of energy and life again.
Reduction is a fairly standard procedure that can be essential for many women. But it’s important to know that there are some risks involved and some downsides. If you’re having trouble deciding which procedure is better for you, see some reviews on healthline.com.
