tumescent liposuction breast reduction
tumescent liposuction breast reduction
Breast Reduction – is it Right for You?
Many women with extremely large breasts experience serious complications in their daily lives. Fortunately, this problem is correctable. If you suffer from this condition, you might want to consider surgery to reduce the size of your breasts.
Ideal Candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery
You are a candidate for breast reduction if you experience the following symptoms as a result of your large breasts:
· Chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain
· Posture issues
· Skin rash under your breasts
· Indentations in your shoulders from bra straps
· Restricted ability to engage in physical activity
· Low self-esteem
Diabetes, circulation issues, heart and lung disease, and smoking can cause complications with the procedure. Make sure your doctor knows your medical history to help determine if breast surgery is right for you.
Breast reduction is generally done after age 20, when your breasts are completely developed. If you are planning on having children, you might want to think about waiting to have this procedure until after you’ve given birth. This surgery frequently causes problems with breast feeding. Also, changes to breasts during pregnancy can affect the results of the surgery.
Preparing for Breast Reduction Surgery
You need to be very specific when telling your doctor what you want done to your breasts. This will help ensure that your doctor can most effectively meet your expectations.
It is a good idea to have a mammogram before surgery, especially if you’ve never had one. If you are a smoker, you’ll need to stop for awhile before surgery and during your recovery period. Smoking inhibits blood flow and can lead to complications in the healing process.
The Breast Reduction Procedure
The surgery usually takes 3-4 hours, and you will be given a general anesthesia before the procedure. Generally, the surgeon will make three incisions: one around the areola, one down the breast, and one in the crease beneath the breast.
In most cases, the nipple and areola will stay connected to the breast, but in situations where breasts are extremely large, the surgeon might have to physically remove the nipple and areola, reattaching them in a higher place. This will cause you to lose sensation and the ability to breast feed. In these cases, the loss of sensation is usually permanent.
The Recovery Period
After surgery, your breasts will be swollen, bruised, and sore. The pain might last up to a month. It could take six months before your breasts achieve their new shape.
Right after surgery, you will probably have decreased sensation in your nipples and areolae. Sensation will eventually return, but the time frame varies from person to person. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year to regain full sensation.
You can generally return to normal physical activity within a few weeks. However, you should avoid heavy lifting for awhile. You won’t be able to engage in any kind of sexual activity for at least a week after surgery.
Risks and Complications
As with any major surgery, there will be risks and potential complications. The following side effects are common after breast reduction surgery:
· Loss of sensation to nipples and areolae
· Permanent scarring
· Inability to breast feed
· Asymmetry in size and shape of breasts
About the Author
If you are experiencing problems due to extremely large breasts and you live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, please contact the office of James J. Barber, M.D. to see if you are a candidate for breast reduction surgery.
Aesthetic Medical Center, Dr Iacob Marcovici Avon CT. Comcast – December 2008
