Women who have very large breasts often experience a variety of problems associated with the excessive weight from the breasts including back and neck pain, skeletal problems, and breathing problems. Extremely large breasts often make women and young girls feel very self-conscious and embarrassed. Some women may be good candidates for breast reduction surgery but others may not.
Aesthetic vs. Medical Reasons For Surgery
For medical and aesthetic reasons, women often seek breast reduction surgery, which is designed for women who want to reduce the size of their breasts or change the shape of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts making them firmer and smaller. Breast reduction surgery can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple). The goal of this surgery is to provide women with smaller, better-shaped breasts that are more in proportion with the rest of their bodies.
Breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is most often done for medical reasons rather than aesthetic reasons. Most women having the surgery have suffered one or more medical problems due to their large breasts and are desperately seeking some relief from years, perhaps decades, of discomfort and pain. Some women’s breasts are so large that they restrict their activities greatly and interfere with their ability to lead active, normal lives.
Potential Complications
As with any surgery, there is a chance for complications afterwards including bleeding, infection and reaction to the anesthesia. Some patients have developed small sores around the nipple area; these sores can be treated easily with antibiotic cream. Following your surgeon’s orders to the letter both before and after surgery will greatly reduce your chance of developing any serious complications.
Permanent scars are left following surgery but are often covered by clothing such as bras and bathing suits. If you are a smoker, your chances for more prominent scars and poor healing are significantly increased.
What to Expect
During your consultation with your Dr. Bray, he will examine your breasts and photograph them for reference during surgery and afterwards. You will both discuss surgery options and possible results. The risks and costs involved with the surgery will also be discussed. To prepare for surgery, you may be required to have a mammogram performed, and pre-surgery, detailed directions will be provided that you must follow exactly as directed.
Breast reduction surgery typically takes 2-4 hours but may take longer in some cases.
Post Surgery
After surgery, you will be wrapped in a bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings, and a small tube will be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two. Dr. Bray may prescribe pain medication, and the bandages will be removed after a couple of days. Your stitches will be removed in approximately three weeks. You may experience random shooting pains for a few months; some patients may experience this for a longer period of time.
You may be up and around a day or two following the surgery, but your breasts may still ache for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting or pushing or pulling of any kind for at least four weeks.
Leave a Reply