BREAST REDUCTION
Oversized breasts are not only a matter of embarrassment but extremely uncomfortable too. These can result in constant discomfort, shoulder and neck pain. Oversized breasts are seen both in young and elderly females. Younger patients normally come with psychological issues and personal embarrassment and are the key elements in their decision to seek surgery. Large breasts are difficult to assess for swellings and lumps, thus making cancer detection difficult.
Operative and post operative:
Breast size can be effectively reduced by surgical removal of the excess breast tissues. This surgery is done under general anaesthesia and requires about 2 days of hospitalization. Dressings are required for about 7 to 10 days until the stitches are removed. There is a resultant stitch line around the nipple areola complex and a vertical or T shaped lines over the lower portion of breast. Healing takes about 3 weeks and after several weeks breasts become supple and assume natural shape. Person can return to normal light routine in about 7 days.
Results
Reduction is permanent. There is immense relief from all the symptoms of heavy breasts and one can resume more active and healthy life.
Breast Feeding After Surgery
Only certain segments of the breast gland are removed during the surgery. The milk carrying ducts are not totally disrupted by the surgery. This means that the breast feeding potential in young patients is maintained to some extent. Those who are able to breast feed after breast reduction, may not be able to nourish their children completely by breast feeding.
Complications
Major complications are unusual following breast reduction. Minor complications like delayed wound healing, fat necrosis, serous collections in the breast can happen in a small percentage of cases. These problems can be easily tackled and do not affect the ultimate result. Decreased sensation on the nipple areola or other parts of the breast and pigmentation changes can take place following breast reduction. This improves naturally over a period of time. Mild breast asymmetry can occur, which is usually not very striking. Skin loss and nipple loss are very rare complications.