Introduction

Women with large heavy breast may experience several health concerns related to this problem including, back and neck pain, breast pain and rashes under the breast. The added weight of large breasts may exacerbate the symptoms for women with arthritis or spinal problems. Some women are bothered by the psychological embarrassment of large breast, finding it uncomfortable to engage in physical activity or experiencing difficulty infinding clothes that fit.

Breast reduction surgery removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast in proportion to your body. It will not only correct the functional symptoms but also result in better proportioned breasts, enhancing a woman's body image and her self confidence.

The Best Candidates :

In most cases, breast reduction isn't performed until a woman's breasts are fully developed; however, it can be done earlier if large breasts are causing serious physical discomfort. The best candidates are those who are mature enough to fully understand the procedure and have realistic expectations about the results. Breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed in future.

Surgical Procedure :

In Reduction Mammoplasty operation, the size of the breast is reduced by removing fat, breast tissue and skin from the lower part of the breast; the nipple is relocated higher and the breast is reshaped and contoured. The cuts are made in such a way that all the scars form in the lower half of the breast and at the margins of the areola. These scars at the margins of the areola are usually not visible. Other scars could be somewhat prominent, but fade to some or great extent over 1 to 2 years. (Poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers.) The procedure can also leave you with slightly mismatched breasts or unevenly positioned nipples. Future breast-feeding may not be possible, since the surgery removes many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples.

This procedure is done under general anesthesia. It takes 2 to 3 hours to reduce and reshape each breast. Hospital stay of 2 to 3 days is usually required.

After The Surgery :

After surgery, you'll be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two.

The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, though you'll continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising subside. Your stitches will be removed in one to three weeks.

Strenuous activities should not be undertaken for about 8 weeks after surgery. Light work can be resumed as early as 2 to 3 weeks.

Complications :

Breast reduction is a refined surgical procedure and is done quite routinely. Like any surgical procedures there are potential risks and complications that your surgeon will explain in detail. Some of the potential risks include accumulation of blood (hematoma), Infection and poor healing at the site of suturing. These risks are common to many operations. Some risks are specific such as decreased sensation at the nipple, dereased blood supply at the nipple, which may lead to partial or total necrosis of the nipple. This may need secondary reconstruction. Although this is very rare, the risks are increased in smokers and diabetics.

The ability to breast feed after reduction is unpredictable and depends on the extent of reduction and type of technique used.

Result :

Most of the patients are very pleased and satisfied with the results of breast reduction surgery. One of the common questions asked by them is. “Can the breasts become larger again? On very rare occasions, the breasts can become larger again, especially, if the patient gains excessive amounts of weight.