INTRODUCTION

Women with very large, sagging breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight of the breasts. These problems include: lower neck and upper back pain, shoulder discomfort, breast pain, and skin irritations under the breasts. Other problems include: embarrassment, difficulty in finding properly fitting clothing, restricted physical activities, loss of self esteem, and self-consciousness.

Breast reduction surgery removes fat, breast tissue, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and firmer with a more natural shape. In all breast reduction procedures the breasts are lifted as well. If the areola are disproportionately large, they are reduced as well.

Sensation to the nipples is usually preserved. Many patients are also able to successfully breast feed after surgery, but that largely depends on the method of surgery performed.

ANALYSIS

The goal of surgery is to make you happy. At your consultation we will obtain a very thorough medical history. We will want to know if you have had any previous problems, mammograms, or surgery of the breasts. We will want to know your goals of treatment, both in terms of the kind of look you would like to achieve as well as the kind of look you would like to avoid. We will carefully examine you and make measurements as indicated.

Following the analysis we will present to you a comprehensive treatment strategy. We will discuss the procedure(s) recommended in detail. We will also advise you of the potential risks and complications of surgery. We will outline your recovery period and make focused suggestions to make your surgery experience safe, easy, and as pleasant as possible.

PROCEDURE

The surgery usually takes about 3 hours to perform, depending on the needs and goals of the patient and how much surgery is performed. You will be totally asleep for the surgery to minimize anxiety and to maximize comfort.

The most common method of breast reduction surgery involves an “anchor” shaped scar on the breast. The nipple is often raised considerably into a new position. There is then a scar extending from the new nipple site to the fold underneath the breast, and for a variable distance along that fold as well. Excessive skin, breast tissue and fat are totally removed. Contrary to popular belief, the nipple is usually not detached from the body, but is simply lifted upwards into the new position.

On some occasions it is appropriate to remove some additional tissue from the sides of the breasts using liposuction techniques.

AFTERCARE

Recovery from breast lifting surgery is a “process” and will depend largely on the kind of surgery performed, your motivation for success, and your dedication in precisely following our written after-surgery instructions. There are no dressings. You will be placed into a comfortable bra after surgery. Discomfort is minimal. Your “down time” will be between 2-3 weeks depending on the extent of surgery performed.

There are scars as a result of this surgery. It usually takes at least 6-12 months for the scars to completely fade.

The main drawback of the surgery is the scar. Each patient will need to evaluate their feelings about a scar and weigh them against the benefits of surgery to determine if she wishes to proceed with breast lifting surgery.