Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast Reduction Surgery Breast reduction surgery is meant for women who have breasts that they feel are overly large; that are out of proportion for the rest of their bodies. The process involves removing excess fat, glandular tissue and outer tissue in order to reduce the size of the breast. It also entails shaping the new breast by sculpting and, perhaps, lifting the remaining inner tissue. The cosmetic plastic surgeon performing a breast reduction has a number of incision options. Depending upon the nature of the task, he may make an incision in a circular pattern around the areola; another choice is this circular incision along with a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola down to the crease of the breast. A third option is a "keyhole" incision pattern, once more around the areola and two incisions on steep diagonals descending from the areola to form a keyhole pattern with the circular incision. Yet another option is the circular incision accompanied by incisions from the sides of the areola up along the breast - a so-called 'inverted tee' incision pattern. The nipple and areola are left attached to their blood and nerve supply and repositioned upward. Excess fat and glandular tissue are removed, and the remaining inner tissue is shaped and lifted. In extreme cases, the areola and nipple may have to be removed entirely and replaced. In some cases, liposuction may be used to remove excess fatty tissue. If the breast can be reduced through removal of fatty tissue alone, there may be less need or no need for nipple realignment and skin removal. The closure process includes suturing areas of the inner tissue in order to maintain the shaping - in a sense to create the new shape and lift. Standard sutures or surgical adhesives are used to close the incisions on the outer skin. Breast reduction is often considered a health related choice as well as a cosmetic option. Oversized breasts can cause chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders. The weight can also cause irritation or abrasions from bra straps. In some cases heavy, oversize breasts have been known to cause circulation problems. For these reasons, breast reduction surgery may be covered by health insurance. Following the surgery the patient will experience some swelling which will subside within a week or two. It will probably take a longer period to adjust to the new breast size, and the new profile that goes with it.

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