| Breast Reduction |
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Most women desire shapely breast. While full size breasts are desirable, excessively large
breast causes physical complaints such as neck, shoulder and back pain, as well as excessively
drooping breast (ptosis). Breast reduction, as the name implies, is designed to reduce the
size of a breasts while at the same time improve the overall appearance or shape of the breast.
In majority of cases a breast reduction is accompanied with a breast lift. Breast reduction is
also used to correct asymmetry in breasts. To achieve smaller, shapelier breasts, skin, along
with breast tissue and fat are removed. In a few cases liposuction may also be performed.
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| Who is a Candidate? |
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Women who are interested in breast reduction must have realistic expectations and be able
tolerate the scar associated with the reduction. It is common that women who are candidates for
this procedure have chronic neck, shoulder and back pain as well as chronic skin irritation
along their bra straps and under the breast folds. Patients with extensive breast asymmetry
are also candidates for this procedure. A full medical workup, especially for breast cancer
is imperative. A pre operative mammogram is helpful.
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| Procedure Description |
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Breast reduction is generally performed in an accredited surgical facility or in the hospital
under general anesthesia. The surgical incision and scar is similar to a more extensive breast
lift. Various techniques are available which will determine the placement and size of your
postoperative scars. Breast reductions are performed using surgical techniques that preserve
some of the breast tissue and maintain a healthy blood supply to the breasts and the nipple
areolar complex. The tissue removed is generally sent to pathology to rule out any underlying
disease process. In some cases the procedure is accompanied with liposuction. Generally
absorbable sutures are used for the closure of the skin. In most cases and depending on the
amount of tissue removed, a drain is placed. The patient is placed in a soft compression braw.
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| Recovery-Recuperation and Healing |
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Postoperative discomfort is controlled with oral medications. The patient is seen 1-2 days after
surgery. Sutures will remain in place and are removed at an appropriate time depending on the
extent of the surgery. Surgical drains may be removed in 7-10 days after surgery. The soft
compression braw is worn for a period 2-4 week. It is possible to start light activity in 1 week,
however full activity requires 4-6 weeks of recovery. Although minor complications can occur
post operatively, major complications are rare.
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