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Breast Reduction
(Reduction Mammaplasty)
Women with heavy, pendulous breasts may experience a variety of medical problems. The weight of their breasts can create upper back and neck pain, skin irritation and the bra straps may even leave indentations in the shoulders. Additionally, unusually large breasts can make a woman or teenager feel extremely self-conscious. Breast reduction surgery, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure designed for such women.
What Can a Breast Reduction Do for Me
Large breasts can cause pain, improper posture, rashes, breathing problems, skeletal deformities, and low self-esteem. Breast reduction surgery is usually done to provide relief from these symptoms. Performed under general anesthesia, the two hour procedure removes fat and glandular tissue and tightens skin to produce smaller, lighter breasts that are in a healthier proportion to the rest of the body.
Breast Reduction Procedure
During the procedure an anchor-shaped incision is made from the new location of the nipple down to and into the crease beneath the breast. Dr. Salemy removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, relocates the nipple and areola, and reshapes the breast using skin from around the areola before closing the incisions with stitches. Liposuction may be needed to remove excess fat from the armpit area, and in some cases when only fat needs to be removed from the breasts, liposuction alone is used for breast reduction.
Dr. Salemy utilizes the short scar technique of breast reduction surgery, known as a vertical reduction. This procedure has many advantages over other breast reduction techniques, including shorter, hidden scars, reshaped breasts with fullness at the cleavage line, and durable results even years after the procedure
Recovery
For a few days after surgery the breasts are bound with a surgical bra and you may be given surgical drainage tubes for fluid removal. Dr. Salemy will see you usually within a week to see how you are doing and to remove the drainage tubes. The sutures are all absorbable so they do not need to be removed, and Dr. Salemy will ask you to wear a surgical bra or sports bra for 4-6 weeks.
A little pain is normal after surgery, whether it’s mild discomfort, swelling during menstruation, a measure of numbness or sensitivity, or random, shooting pains that may last for a few months. Swelling, bruising, and slight changes in breast size are also common. Most patients return to work in about two weeks, although you should avoid heavy lifting for three to four weeks and only gentle contact with the breasts should occur for six weeks.
Scars fade with time but will not disappear, although they can be hidden with a bra, bathing suit or low-cut top.
Fast Facts: Breast Reduction Surgery
Achieve smaller, lighter breasts to balance with the rest of the body
Patients can see results immediately,
but it can take several weeks to
a month to see final results
Procedure typically takes
3 hours
Incision length may vary based on individual patient conditions