Know More About Breast Reduction

Large breasts are not just aesthetically unappealing but can also lead to a lot of structural problems including neck and back pain. This condition, called macromastia, is when either breast weighs more than 500 g. Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is aimed at reducing the size of the breasts followed by reshaping them if required. This will not just produce an aesthetically appealing image for the person but also can help relieve problems like neck and back pain.

Indications - When should you have breast reduction?

1. There is constant back, shoulder, head, and/or neck pain
2. Constant irritation of skin under the breasts
3. Breathing difficulty
4. Grooves on the shoulders from bra straps
5. Poor posture
6. Numbness in parts of the breasts and upper chest due to excessive weight
7. Unhappy with the overall appearance

While these are the problems that mandate breast reduction, the following is a pointer towards who can go for the surgery. Needless to say, not everybody is a candidate.

1. The person should have overall good health
2. No active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions.
3. Skin has adequate elasticity and can resume a firm consistency after the surgery
4. Emotional and mental stability with loads of patience
5. Done with childbirth and breastfeeding
6. Be practical and have realistic expectations from the surgery

Overview of the procedure: 

It is most often a combination of liposuction and gland reduction. Liposuction forms a small part of the procedure and it is the gland reshaping that actually reduces the size. There are many ways to do it and different surgeons may prefer different techniques depending on the size of the breast, quality of the skin, expectation of the patient. The two most common ways are one in which the final scars lie around the areola and vertically downwards and the other in which the scar is anchor shaped with an additional horizontal limb along the breast crease under the breast.

To achieve the best desired results, the first step is to have a detailed discussion. A thorough physical examination followed by mammographic evaluation will help arrive at the best possible technique. Along with the desired results, also discuss side effects, limitations, risks, postoperative care, recovery, and of course costs. Other factors are also to be considered including age, gestational history, feeding history, medication allergies, and detailed medical history including bleeding disorders, lung diseases, cardiac issues, etc.

A decision is then finally made to go ahead with breast reduction, which will not just improve her looks but also her confidence and relieve her of problems that back ache and neck pain. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult a cosmetic-plastic surgeon.