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Big breasts can be a big problem---both physically and psychologically. Large, oversized breasts dominate any woman's appearance and make her look top-heavy and overweight. They're also quite a physical burden. They can be painful, distort the posture, cause difficulty in breathing, backache and irritation at the crease of the breast and make exercise difficult or impossible. Then there's the mental burden. The stares. The rude comments. And the unwelcome attention. These are just a few of the reasons why women with oversized breasts often choose breast reduction. This procedure can reduce and reshape large breasts by removing excess skin and underlying tissue. An oversized areola (the dark pink skin around the nipple) is made smaller at the same time. Though the procedure is permanent, breasts can still increase in size afterwards in the event of weight gain, birth control pills or pregnancy. If you have large, sagging breasts you may be a good candidate. If your breasts are sagging but not overly large, a breast lift may be all you need. While women of all ages can benefit, it's usually not performed before the breasts have finished development. Breastfeeding is possible with current methods of breast reduction. Likelihood of successfully breastfeeding following breast reduction averages 80%. The incision pattern for your breast reduction surgery is shown in the diagram below. Excess tissue, both fat and glandular breast tissue as well as excess skin, are removed. The nipple and areola are left attached to underlying breast tissue in a way that preserves their blood supply and often their erotic sensitivity. When the breasts are extremely oversized, it's sometimes necessary to completely detach the nipple before it is relocated. With the nipple lifted to its new location and excessive skin and breast tissue removed, the incision lines are then carefully closed with a dissolvable suture material placed beneath the skin surface, thereby making suture removal unnecessary. Although scars are present and are permanent, they generally fade within a few months and become less conspicuous. The incision pattern places all incisions within the bra line for concealment within low cut clothing or a swimsuit. Any discomfort following breast reduction surgery is rather brief and mild. You'll be prescribed medication to control any discomfort that you have, and you can expect to be up and around in a day or two in a supportive surgical bra. Swelling and bruising are usually mild. Often times a suction drain will be placed which will be removed a day or two following your surgery. Once your suction drain is removed, you will be able to resume showering usually within the third day following surgery. |
Dr. Jerome Lamb, M.D. 4820 South Arrowhead Drive (816) 795-5262 |
