Breast Reduction is a procedure to reduce the size of the breasts by removing excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size that is more in proportion with the patient’s body and alleviates the discomfort caused due to excessive breast size such as back and neck pain, recurrent skin infections or difficulty in fitting of clothes.
Large Breast size (macromastia) may be a source of physical as well as psychological distress for some patients. Breast reduction surgery helps in not only the reduction in size but also gives a lift to the breasts, to give them a more youthful appearance and enhances the self-confidence of the patients.
About the Procedure
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery can include only Liposuction, when the increased breast size is just due to increased fat deposits or, more commonly, surgical excision of breast glandular tissue, fat and skin. Patients are required to stay in hospital for 24-48 hours and the surgical drain tubes inserted to prevent any fluid collection are generally removed at that time.
Candidates for the Procedure
Patients with disproportionately large breast size, back, neck and shoulder pain due to the size of the breasts, recurrent skin rashes under the breasts, and emotional and psychological distress due to the large size of breasts are candidates for the surgery. Patients are required to undergo an ultrasound or mammogram of the breasts, besides a thorough physical examination prior to the surgery.
After the Surgery
Patients are up and about in a day after the surgery, with only light activities allowed initially. Patients have to wear a well fitting support bra for 4-6 weeks after the procedure. The scars gradually settle down over a few weeks time and the final contour and feel of the reduced breasts is appreciable.