Very large breasts can be a strain on a woman both physically and psychologically. Discomfort, or the feeling of being stared at lead many women to hide behind loose clothing. Large breasts are usually not firm, but tend to sag due to their weight, which affected women find aesthetically disturbing. Physical consequences such as back pain or skin damage make everyday life a pain. Breast reduction can provide a remedy here. It makes the breasts lighter, which reduces or even eliminates physical damage. A mammareductionplasty (breast reduction) is a surgical procedure on the female breast, which leads to the reduction of the same. This procedure falls into the fields of reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery.
Indications (areas of application)
- Malpositions, chronic discomfort in the cervical and thoracic spine in mammary hypertrophy (large overdeveloped breasts).
- Asymmetries of the mammae (different breast sizes).
- Psychological stresses due tomammary hypertrophy
Breast reduction can also be combined with mastopexy (breast lift), if necessary, so that sagging breasts become firm and firm again.
Before surgery
Before surgery, an intensive medical history discussion should be conducted that includes the patient’s medical history and motivation for the procedure. The procedure, any side effects, and the consequences of the surgery should be discussed in detail. Note: The requirements of the information are stricter than usual, since courts in the field of aesthetic surgery demand a “relentless” explanation. Furthermore, the patient should not take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sleeping pills or alcohol for a period of seven to ten days prior to breast reduction. Both acetylsalicylic acid and other pain relievers delay blood clotting and can cause unwanted bleeding. Smokers should severely limit their nicotine consumption as early as four weeks before the procedure to avoid jeopardizing wound healing.
The surgical procedure
Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia. You will then remain in the hospital for approximately two to eight days. There are two possible incision options, depending on the extent of the breast reduction:
- Vertical incision – one incision around the areola and one to the breast crease.
- T-cut – in addition to the vertical incision, another in the breast crease.
The attending physician will be happy to advise you and select the appropriate technique to achieve the best possible result. During the operation, fat and glandular tissue are reduced and the excess skin is removed. The nipple is reattached slightly higher in a harmonious proportion to obtain a natural looking breast. If the areolas are large, they are reduced in size to match the new breast size. The surgeon uses the remaining tissue to form a new, firmer breast that harmoniously fits the body proportions. In all breast operations, care is taken not to damage the sensitive nerves and vessels of the nipple in order to ensure that both sensitivity and the ability to breastfeed are preserved. The wound is then sutured and so-called drains are placed to allow the drainage of blood and tissue fluids. A tight bandage supports the breast after surgery.
After the operation
During the first few days, movements of the upper body and arms are still somewhat difficult. Swelling and bruising are possible. Stitches are removed about a week after surgery. The scars fade over time and are then usually barely visible. A special support bra must be worn for the first few months after surgery. The entire healing process takes about six months.
Possible complications
- Major bleeding during or after surgery, with the risk of needing a blood transfusion or follow-up surgery (rare)
- Major bleeding after surgery
- Wound healing disorders in the surgical area due to infection, this can lead to the following complications: Abscess formation (encapsulated pus accumulation), possibly also circulatory disorders with the consequence of necrosis (death of tissue) and / or melting of fatty tissue.
- Breast asymmetry due to one-sided scarring.
- Scarring possibly keloid formation (bulging scars / scar proliferation with skin discoloration).
- Sensory disturbances in the area of the scars
- Due to the positioning on the operating table, it may come to positioning damage (eg, pressure damage to soft tissues or even nerves, with the consequence of sensory disturbances; in rare cases thereby also to paralysis of the affected limb).
- In case of hypersensitivity or allergies (e.g. anesthetics/anesthetics, drugs, etc.), the following symptoms may temporarily occur: Swelling, rash, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, dizziness or vomiting.
- As after any surgical procedure, thrombosis may occur, with the possible consequence of embolism and thus pulmonary embolism. Thrombosis prophylaxis leads to a reduction in risk.
Benefit
Breast reduction leads to physical well-being by reducing or even eliminating the painful consequences of too large breasts. Likewise, self-confidence is boosted, the psychological stress of the past years is ended and a new life can begin.