The following information has been prepared to familiarize you
with facts about the surgical procedures known as reduction
mammoplasty
(
breast reduction) and
mastopexy (
breast uplift). You are requested
to read this information thoroughly and to discuss any questions
which might arise with your surgeon before proceeding with either
a breast reduction or an uplift procedure.
Many women feel that their breasts do not match their overall body
physique. Extremely large or droopy breasts may be the result of
abnormal development or the aging process. Such changes most frequently
occur during menarche, pregnancy or following menopause.
Although the goals of breast reduction and breast uplift procedures
are different, the procedures will be discussed together because
the preoperative preparation, surgical incision, and postoperative
course are quite similar. In both procedures, incisions are designed
to create a more youthful and natural shaped breast. In both procedures
this involves elevating the nipple/areolar complex from a lower,
more droopy position, to a more natural position on the center of
the breast mound.
Breast Reduction Procedure
In a breast reduction procedure, breast tissue is resected in addition
to the excess skin, thus reducing the final volume of the breast
while elevating the nipple/areolar complex. In an uplift procedure,
skin alone is resected while the nipple/areolar complex is positioned
in a more elevated location. Occasionally, the patient may desire
a small breast implant at the time of an uplift procedure if the
patient perceives that the breasts are not only too droopy, but
too small as well.
It is important to understand that no person is perfectly symmetrical
from one side to the other, even before a surgical procedure. Every
attempt will be made during surgery to minimize your side-to-side
dissimilarities, but such differences are natural and always persist
to some degree even after the most successful operation. More Breast Reduction Facts...
Breast cancer concerns
There is no evidence that breast uplift or reduction surgery alters
the possibility of developing breast cancer. It will still be necessary
for you to examine yourself monthly for breast lumps and to undergo
mammography as suggested by your personal physician. It is suggested
that all patients 35 years of age or older obtain a mammogram prior
to elective breast surgery.
More Breast Reduction Facts...
Breast feeding after surgery
With the breast uplift procedure, no incisions are made within
the substance of the breast. While reducing a breast, incisions
will naturally course across breast ducts, but the ducts immediately
beneath the nipple are left intact and usually such a patient would
be able to breast feed if this becomes desirable in the future.
Although not all women are able to breast feed even before a breast
operation, these procedures by themselves should not rule out the
ability to breast feed at a later date. More Breast Reduction Facts...
Operative procedures
The mastopexy or breast reduction procedure
is generally performed in the Surgery Center on an outpatient basis,
or if you prefer, with an overnight stay in the Center. In most
cases, a general anesthetic is employed to insure your comfort and
safety.
Any tissue removed during a breast reduction procedure will be examined
by a pathologist and you will receive separate bills from the laboratory
and the pathologist for their services.
The amount of tissue to be removed or the distance the areolus is
to be uplifted will determine the extent of surgical scars. Traditionally,
in addition to an incision around the areolus, a vertical incision
extends from the areolus to the fold beneath the breast and another
scar runs along the length of the fold. Today, many breast reductions
and uplifts can be performed with newer techniques necessitating
just the incision around the areolus.
Following the procedure a brassiere-like dressing will be applied
and you will be sent to the recovery room where you will be kept
until you are awake and ready for discharge. More Breast Reduction Facts...
Possible complications
Although most patients have a very satisfactory result, complications
may occur following any surgical procedure. The patient must understand
that asymmetry (differences in appearance from one side to the other)
are perfectly natural and will be present following the procedure
as they were prior to any operation. Likewise, visible, and occasionally
unsightly, scars are an expected outcome of such an operation.
Possible complications include infections, bleeding, alterations
in sensation of the nipple/areolar area or elsewhere over the breast
mound, skin loss (including the nipple/areolar area) which may delay
healing or even necessitate skin grafts or other subsequent surgical
procedures or, if implants are employed, all implant related complications
as discussed in the augmentation mammoplasty section.
It is not uncommon for the incisions to pull apart along the folds
beneath the breasts or around the areolae; should this occur, the
area will be treated with a moist dressing-and will almost always
heal without the necessity for revisional surgery. Such a wound
separation, however, will significantly prolong the healing process.
It is not possible to advise you of every conceivable complication.
The foregoing was not intended to frighten or upset you, but to
insure that your decision to have this operation is made with your
awareness of the possible risks. Most patients have a very satisfactory
result following such surgery and complications actually occur rarely. More Breast Reduction Facts...
By OnlineSurgery Staff
Updated: May 22, 2007
Disclaimer:
This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure.
This information should not be used to determine whether you will
have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your
elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and
procedures should be discussed with your physician.
Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery
