Common Procedures for Breast Reduction

Common Procedure
Breast reduction Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, extends downward, and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. The following description is not performed by many surgeons.

The Incisions
Incisions outline the area of skin, breast tissue, and fat to be removed and the new position for the nipple. In the vertical or T-Shaped incision, the breast is separated from the skin, excess glandular tissue and fat are then removed. The gland is re-shaped and re-contoured. Part of the remaining breast gland is then tunneled underneath the pectoralis muscle.

Tailor Tack Method
This allows more superior breast fullness that is longer lasting. The nipple and areola are placed in to there new position. Using a tailor tack method the amount of skin to be resected is determined. First we start with a circumareolar closure; if the wrinkling is too severe and the results will be compromised a vertical skin excision is added. If the amount of excess skin is still too great, an L- shaped excision is done.

T-Shaped Incision
If the skin remains excessive, then a full T-Shaped incision is done. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from the armpit area. In most cases, the nipples remain attached to their blood vessels and nerves. However, if the breasts are very large or pendulous, the nipples and areolas may have to be completely removed and grafted into a higher position. (This will result in a loss of sensation in the nipple and areolas tissue.)

Extremely Rare
This is extremely rare, and is very seldomly done. This type of procedure is performed more common on a patient who has very large pendulous breasts and may be a smoker or a diabetic. Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast it's new contour.

Relieved With Medications
Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications. Expect to have some wrinkling around the areola especially if the minimal scar breast lift is performed, this should improve and will take about 3 months. Although you will be up and walking the next day, most patient are able to return to work in about one week, some patients recuperate remarkably well and have been able to return earlier, however the average is about a week.

Soft Support Bra
Breast reduction after a few days, a soft support bra will replace the bandages or surgical bra. You'll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks. The stitches will be removed after 7-10 days. If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful to keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.

The Numbness
There are some creams that can be used to help with healing (i.e. Scar guard, silicone, vitamin E, etc); these you can start using after the sutures are removed. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.

Bigger And Smaller
At first the upper part of your breast may seem very high and very full and, it can have a funny appearance, this occurs because your breast is swollen and it will take about 2-3 months for the breast to settle and take its nice natural shape. You may also notice that one breast is higher or larger than the other, this is quite normal since one side may swell more than the other, (if you notice your before pictures you will see that your breast were not symmetrical to begin with).

Wrinkling Around The Areola
It will take about 3 months for you to become accustomed to your new look and not notice the differences as much. You may experience wrinkling around the areola and this will improve over time, it may take up to 3 months. Most patients are very happy immediately after their surgery. It is those patients that have unrealistic expectations and are not willing to wait for the healing process that become dissatisfied and anxious.

* Note: Image(s) by the courtsey of http://www.nlm.nih.gov.