What Breast Reduction really is?
Breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is a common surgical procedure which involves the reduction in the size of breasts by excising fat, skin, breast implants and glandular tissue; it may also involve a procedure to counteract drooping of the breasts. As with breast augmentation, this procedure is typically performed on women, but may also be performed on men afflicted by gynecomastia. In 2005, over 113,000 women had breast reductions, an increase of 11 percent from 2004.
Candidates
Breast reduction surgery is oriented toward women with large, pendulous breasts, especially gigantomastia, since the weight of their breasts may cause chronic pain of the head, neck, back, and shoulders, plus circulation and breathing problems. The weight may also cause discomfort as a result of brassiere straps abrading or irritating the skin.For these reasons, the surgery is usually covered by insurance or by welfare provisions. Even if physical discomfort is not a problem, some women feel awkward with the enormity of their breasts in proportion to the rest of their smaller bodies. Except in unusual cases, this procedure is performed on individuals with fully-developed breasts, and it is not typically recommended for women who desire to breastfeed.
Males with common condition of gynecomastia may feel embarrassed and upset with their condition, usually developed during adolescence. They may get the surgery for restored confidence. The surgical methods employed may vary depending on whether the breasts in the male patient are caused by adipose (fatty) or glandular tissue, and the degree to which any glandular tissue extends laterally along the sides of the torso.
Procedure
Doctors almost always perform breast reductions while the patient is under general anesthesia. During pre-operative visits, the doctor and patient may decide on new, usually higher, positions for the areolas and nipples.
For males, excess tissue may simply be removed through a tiny incision in each breast. This leaves minimal scarring.
Patients may take a few weeks for initial recovery, however it may take from six months to a year for the body to completely adjust to the new breast size. Some women may experience discomfort during their initial menstruation following the surgery due to the breasts swelling.
Techniques
The traditional popular technique in North America bases the blood supply to the nipple and areola complex (NAC) from a central and inferiorly based attachment to the chest wall (an "inferior pedicle" or "central mound" technique), with variations of orientations of such pedicles described. Better understanding of anatomy in terms of innervation to the NAC has made it more likely to leave both nipple sensitivity and capability to lactate for the patient as compared to other techniques of the past. It is now being studied and debated as to which of the techniques results in a better quality of life for the patient in the long run. Liposuction has been used as an adjunct to other breast reduction procedures for quite some time, but liposuction only techniques are not widely performed. All of the breast reduction techniques produce some degree of breast lift, but have a tendency to settle and stretch out the inferior skin envelope over time.
Results
Reduction mammoplasty affords the recipient smaller, lighter, and firmer breasts. The surgeon may also reduce the size of and change the shape of the areola or nipples. Both men and women typically have restored confidence, as well. It has been mentioned that patients who have received breast reductions are the happiest and most satisfied of all plastic surgery recipients.
Risks
Possible issues include difficulty breast feeding, scarring, asymmetry, delayed wound healing, altered nipple sensation, fluid retention in the breast, altered erogenous function, and late changes in shape and recurrent ptosis (drooping).
It may impair the likelihood of breastfeeding success due to the surgical disruption to the lactiferous duct system. However, a number of studies have demonstrated a similar ability to breast feed when breast reduction patients are compared to control groups.
Scarring from this procedure may be extensive and permanent. Initially, the scars are lumpy and red, but they gradually subside into their final smaller sizes as thin lines, slightly discolored. Though permanent, the surgeon can make the scars inconspicuous to the point that even low-cut tops may be worn without visible scars.
Cancer-prevention
Although not advocated as a cancer risk reducing procedure, a woman's risk of subsequently developing breast cancer will be reduced proportionately to the amount of breast tissue left.[citation needed]
The surgery can also make mammograms easier, since it may be difficult to get a decent mammogram reading with a great deal of excess breast tissue. Therefore, with less tissue, it can be easier for doctors to get and interpret the results of a mammogram. However, it is still typically recommended that patients receive new baseline mammograms 6 to 8 months after breast reduction to accommodate expected radiographic changes and give a new basis to which future imaging studies can be compared.
Text From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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