Breast reduction, or mammoplasty is a solution for women whose breasts are so large and heavy that they cause pain or adversely affect their self-esteem or social lives. There are several ways to perform breast reduction, but the patient needs to have a consultation with her cosmetic surgeon at Ciaobella first.
The surgeon takes the patient’s medical history and asks if she’s completed her family, if she smokes, is on medication or has a heavy alcohol consumption.
The three main techniques used in breast reduction are:
Liposuction
In this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the breast and uses a vacuum cannula to pull out the unwanted fat. Liposuction is good for women whose breasts aren’t very large, for it only results in a 30 to 50 percent reduction in breast size.
Inverted-T Surgery
In this surgery the doctor makes an incision at the edge of the dark area around the nipple called the areola. Then, an incision is made from there to the fold found beneath the patient’s breast, and another is made around the fold. This surgery is for women who need a lot of tissue and fat removed from their breasts.
Lollipop Surgery
This type of breast reduction surgery is good for women who want a smaller amount of fat removed. The surgeon makes an incision at the edge of the areole, then another to the fold beneath the breast.
Depending on the patient, the operation generally takes two to three hours. Most patients are given general anesthesia, though some who opt for a less invasive procedure such as liposuction may be given IV sedation. The other surgeries are inpatient procedures, and the patient stays overnight in the hospital. Drains are placed in the surgical sites to draw off excess fluid and the doctor fits the patient with a compression bandage or surgical bra.
The patient is bound to feel sore and stiff for a few days after she goes home. She’ll need to keep the surgical sites dry and take her temperature now and then. An elevated temperature may be a sign that she’s developing an infection. She should call her doctor if her temperature is elevated.
The doctor removes the stitches after about 10 days. The patient can usually go to work after about two weeks, and it may take three or four months for the swelling to go completely down. Most women are very happy and relieved to have breast reduction surgery.
If you need a Breast Reduction Consultation and are in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or the Chandler, AZ areas call our office today at 480-686-8121
