Women with very large, pendulous breast may
experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight, including back
and neck pain, skin irritation, skeletal deformities and breathing problems. Bra straps
may leave indentations in their shoulders and back and cause painful grooves.
Candidates
The best candidates for reduction mammoplasty
are healthy, emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can
accomplish.
Preparing for your surgery
Depending on your age and family history, you
may need to have a mammogram before surgery. You'll also get specific instructions on how
to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking
or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.
Most major insurance carriers cover the breast
reduction procedure, please check with your carrier to inquire about their requirements.
The surgery
The breast reduction procedure usually takes
between 5-8 hours, although very extensive procedure will take longer. The
procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, extends
downward, and follows the natural curve of the breast. Dr. Fisher removes the
excess glandular tissue, fat and skin and moves the nipple and areola into a new
position in the center of the newly sized breast. He then brings the skin from
both sides of the breast down and around the areola, shaping the new contour of
the breast. Dr. Fisher also utilized liposuction to remove excess fat from the
armpit and wing areas.
In some patients, a modified procedure
is utilized that minimizes that visible scars. In some cases, liposuction alone
is all that is necessary to reduce the size of the breasts.
After your surgery
After surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or
a surgical bra over your bandages. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and
uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Within a few days, the
bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You'll need to wear this
bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be
removed in 10-14 days.
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.
Getting back to normal
Healing is a gradual process. Although you may
be up and about in a day or two, don't plan on returning to work for a week or more,
depending on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four
weeks. Dr. Fisher will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities.
Your new look
Dr. Fisher will make every effort to make your
scars as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it's important to remember that the scars are
permanent. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even
low-cut tops.
