Scarless Breast Reduction
Do you have large, pendulous breasts that cause pain in the back and neck that gets progressively worse at the end of the day? Do you suffer from skin irritation underneath your breasts or have indentations in your shoulders from your bra straps? Do you feel extremely self-conscious about the large size of your breasts which prevents you from participating in certain activities? If so, you may be an excellent candidate for a breast reduction.
Breast reduction, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is designed to alleviate these concerns. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The goal is to give the patient smaller, better-shaped breasts that are in proportion with the rest of her body.
Ideal Candidates for Breast Reduction
- Breasts that are too large in proportion to your body frame
- Heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward
- One breast is much larger than the other
- Back, neck or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
- Skin irritation beneath your breasts
- Indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps
- Restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts
- Dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the large size of your breasts
Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but only in women where breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast reduction before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later.
During the consultation, Dr. Gartner will discuss with you your desired breast size as well as anything else about your breasts that you would like to see improved. This will help to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.
Breast Reduction Surgery – Standard Method
The techniques for breast reduction 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 excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin is removed, and the nipple and areola are raised into their new position. The skin from both sides of the breast is shifted down and around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast. 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 procedure known as a “free nipple graft,” will result in a loss of sensation in the nipple and areolar tissue.
Vertical Breast Reduction (Short Scar technique)
This procedure involves a lollipop incision that encircles the areola and extends downward to the base of the breast. This technique gives more upper pole fullness and does not leave the long horizontal scar under the breast caused by the standard inverted T incision. Dr. Gartner uses this technique for moderate–to- large sized breasts. Because there is less scarring, healing and recovery time is less.
Scarless Breast Reduction
This method involves liposuction of the breast to reduce its size. Interestingly, the elasticity of the skin does shrink and raises the nipple to a higher position. In most cases it will not reduce the size of the breasts as much as other methods, nor will it raise the nipple position as high, but for the patient who wants to have smaller breasts without scars, it has a high satisfaction rate. Recovery and healing are faster, with less scarring.
Breast Reduction Recovery
After surgery, you’ll be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain blood and fluids for the first day or two. You may feel some mild discomfort for a week or more, however, most patients do not need pain medication. The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, though you’ll continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks until the swelling and bruising subside. Dr. Gartner uses dissolving sutures which do not need to be removed. Average return to work is 7 to 10 days. Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results in the quickest changes to your body image. You’ll be rid of the physical discomfort of large breasts, your body will look better proportioned, and clothes will fit better, almost immediately. Take a look at some before and after photos.