Breast Reduction Surgery for Large Breasts
Reduction mammoplasty typically is performed to reduce disproportionately large breasts. It can also reduce the size of the areola (the dark pink skin surrounding the nipple) that frequently
becomes enlarged as the breast develops. The extent of the procedure depends on what changes are desired and what Dr. O’Donnell deems appropriate.
Although you may be operated on in an outpatient basis, reduction mammoplasty is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia.
The procedure: The most commonly employed technique involves both horizontal and vertical incisions that follow the contour of the breast. The vertical incision creates a keyhole shaped pattern above
the areola. Working through the incisions, excess tissue, fat, and skin are excised on the sides of the breast. Skin is removed from the area within the vertical incision and around the areola. The nipple, areola, and underlying tissue are
removed through this space to a new higher location. Another technique involves completely detaching the nipple from the breast before relocating it. Since a transplanted nipple looses all sensitivity, this approach is performed only when
deemed necessary for patients with extremely large breast. After the nipple is repositioned, skin on both sides of the breast is moved down and around the areola and then brought to re-contour the breast.
Sutures close the wounds under the breast and around the nipple area. Following surgery, a gauze dressing may be applied to the breasts, or the patient may be placed in a surgical brassiere.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, the procedure usually lasts three hours or longer.
After surgery, pain that is controlled easily by medication will subside in a day or two. Swelling and skin discoloration around the incisions generally will subside in a few days. After surgery,
there may be a temporary loss of sensation in the nipples and breast skin. If it occurs, this condition will improve with time. Sutures will be removed within two weeks of surgery.
Although every effort is made to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible, reduction mammoplasty scars from large uncomfortable breasts without scars to small comfortable breast with scars. Scars
remain highly visible for a year following surgery then fade to some degree. Since incisions were made around and below the nipples, scars should not be noticeable even in low cut clothing.
The objective of this surgery is smaller breasts, which are in better proportion to the patient’s physique. Since no breast is the same size and shape before surgery, usually a slight variation
will exist after surgery.
Although you may be up and about in a day or two following surgery, you should avoid excessive exercise and refrain from overhead lifting for three to four weeks. The decision on when to return to
work and normal activities on how fast you heal and how you feel.
Since reduction mammoplasty usually is performed for the relief of physical discomfort, the surgeon’s fees and other costs may be partially or even fully paid by your insurance carrier. You will
need to check with the benefits coordinator at your place of employment to confirm this. Determination is based on the amount of breast tissue removed in proportion to your body build.
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