Breast Reduction

Most women think of breast enlargement when considering changes in breast size, but many women need just the opposite.  When a woman has large breasts that are over-sized for her frame, she may experience physical pain such as neck and back pain and degenerating bone structure.  It can create grooves in the shoulders from bra straps and it can limit activity in physical sports.  A woman may also not enjoy the attention she gets from her breast size due to society’s preoccupation with large breasts.

Reduce discomfort from large breasts

The weight of over-sized breasts can cause chronic skin irritations and constant pain.  Breathing problems can also be caused by large breasts.

Breast reduction surgery brings the breasts more to scale with the size of the woman’s frame and brings better posture and relief from the discomfort from many years of pain and irritation.

Improve a woman’s self-esteem

The physical improvements are but one benefit of breast reduction surgery.  These women also benefit emotionally as they become more comfortable with their bodies and less self-conscious.  They are no longer the focus of unwanted attention and no longer feel the need to hide their bodies with poor posture or unattractive clothing.

When women feel that others focus only on their large breasts, it can cause them to lose confidence in their abilities and other features.  Breast reduction surgery takes the focus off the breasts and puts it on the whole woman.

Risks of the Surgery

Some risks are involved with breast reduction surgery such as an adverse reaction to anesthesia along with bleeding and infection.  Other less known risks include loss of feeling in the nipples, lack of ability to breastfeed, changes in breasts or nipples to different positions, contours, or sizes so that they are not the same, and diminished blood supply to the nipples.
Today, more women enjoy the benefits of breast reduction surgery with improved self-confidence and less pain.  They have more freedom of movement and can do the things they enjoy with no restrictions.

Consider Your Options

Not every woman needs breast reduction even if she is self-conscious about her look.  Sometimes she may get improvement from a breast lift for chafing or discomfort or even a negative view of her body.

Breast Lift

For many women, aging allows gravity to alter the appearance of their breasts. Breast lift surgery can correct many of the issues associated with the appearance of sagging or drooping breasts.

Many things can alter the appearance of the breasts.

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Gravity and the weight of the breasts

The breasts have lost their elasticity and aren’t as firm as they used to be.

A breast lift (mastopexy) can restore the look of youthful breasts by surgically reshaping them.

Often a breast lift is performed along with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation.

The Procedure

A mastopexy or breast lift is a fast cosmetic procedure done under general anesthesia.  The surgeon will let you know what you need to do the day before and of surgery.  A small incision is made around the areola and under the breast in the shape of an anchor.  The nipple is repositioned in a higher location on the breast and extra skin is removed.  The incision is then stitched closed.

Recovery

You may notice swelling, bruising, and some pain after the surgery but will be given medication for relief.  You will have to wear a surgical bra for a few days as a bandage to protect the incision.  It will then be replaced by a soft support bra that must be worn at all times until after the removal of stitches.

Stitches will be removed after a couple of weeks.  Numbness will begin to subside in a few weeks and heavy lifting will gradually resume with approval from your surgeon.

You should not notice any effects from the surgery if you should get pregnant and decide to breastfeed.

You should expect scarring from the incision that will fade in time.  They are usually small enough to be kept concealed under clothing or a bathing suit.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) is the preferred procedure for women who want to enhance their appearance with larger breasts. It is achieved by surgically placing implants behind the breasts and can alter the shape of the woman to one she enjoys more.

Breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgery in 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Silicone Gel Implants Now In Use

Since 2006, women have had the option to use silicone in their breast implants.

What is Silicone?

Silicone is made from silicon, which is the second most commonly found element in nature.  You can find it in the sand, rocks, and many other substances.  It is used in many everyday products, such as soap, hand lotion, hairspray, and even some processed foods.

Silicone Gel Implants

The silicone gel is thicker and known as a cohesive gel to prevent leaks and ruptures, which was once a concern of the implants. Silicone implants come in various sizes and can give a textured surface or a smooth one.  You also have the option of choosing an anatomical (teardrop) shape or round shape. Most people think they look and feel more natural than saline implants.

Incision Choices

There are three main incision sites to choose from:

• In the armpit
• In the crease underneath the breast
• Around the lower edge of the areola

Scarring will be hardly visible at all for any option. Saline implants have another incision choice and can be inserted from the Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation and will provide a barely noticeable scar.

If you choose the TUBA or armpit incision, you will have what is known as the endoscopic surgery procedure.  The surgeon will use an endoscope which is a long tube with a light and camera so they can see where to place the implant.

Implant Placement

Two options exist for both saline and silicone gel implants:

below the breast tissue and above the pectoral muscle (subglandular), or below both (submuscular).

Breast Implant Manufacturers

Before your procedure, ask your surgeon about the manufacturer of your implants.  There are two main choices: Allergan and Mentor.  They have different product lines, and different warranty periods and policies.

Reasons for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can correct many different problems including:

• A large and obvious difference in size between the two breasts
• Reduction in breast size after pregnancy
• Reduction in size after weight loss
• Breasts that are smaller than desired

Breast augmentation will change how you look, but it may not necessarily change how people treat you or how you feel about yourself.  It is designed for a woman who wants to improve her looks but has a realistic and healthy self-image.

Contact your cosmetic surgeon to discuss the possibility of breast augmentation.  They will discuss the details and choices of the procedure and help you decide on the look you want.  They will help you understand what to expect from the procedure.

Breast Implants

Call for additional information and to schedule a consultation: (559) 325-3832

Breast Revision

Find out more information about breast revision at:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-implant-revision

Male Breast Reduction

Find out more at:

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction