Breast Reduction

Breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure which involves the reduction in the size of breasts by excising fat, skin, and glandular tissue; it may also involve a procedure to counteract drooping of the breasts. As with breast augmentation, this procedure is typically performed on women, but may also be performed on men afflicted by gynecomastia.

Candidates

Breast reduction surgery is oriented toward women with large, pendulous breasts, especially gigantomastia since the weight of their breasts may cause chronic pain of the head, neck, back, and shoulders, plus circulation and breathing problems. The weight may also cause discomfort as a result of brassier straps abrading or irritating the skin. Even if physical discomfort is not a problem, some women feel awkward with the enormity of their breasts in proportion to the rest of their relatively smaller bodies. Except in unusual cases, this procedure is performed on individuals with fully-developed breasts, and it is not typically recommended for women who desire to breastfeed.

Males with common condition of gynecomastia may feel embarrassed and upset with their condition, usually developed during adolescence. They may get the surgery for restored confidence.   The surgical methods employed may vary depending on whether the breasts in the male patient are caused by adipose (fatty) or glandular tissue, and the degree to which any glandular tissue extends laterally along the sides of the torso.

Procedure

Breast reductions are always performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. During pre-operative visits, the doctor and patient may decide on new, usually higher, positions for the areolas and nipples.

For males, excess tissue may simply be removed through a tiny incision in each breast. This leaves minimal scarring.   Patients may take a few weeks for initial recovery, however it may take from six months to a year for the body to completely adjust to the new breast size. Some women may experience discomfort during their initial menstruation following the surgery due to the breasts swelling.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is the term used for enlarged male breasts. Gynecomastia is a very common condition in men, affecting a significant percentage of men. Although there are medical causes of gynecomastia, most commonly there is no known cause nor any associated medical condition associated with male breast enlargement. Usually, male breast enlargement is due to excess fat in the male breasts, rather than actual breast tissue.

The most common procedure for male breast reduction is tumescent liposuction. This procedure is performed with very small incisions away from the areola so scaring is not noticeable at all. What's more, gynecomastia can be treated using local anesthetia and as an office visit (the procedure itself takes about 1-2 hours), and recovery time is about three days.

Results

Reduction mammoplasty affords the recipient smaller, lighter, and firmer breasts. This may also reduce the size of and change the shape of the areola or nipples.   Both men and women typically have restored confidence, as well.   It is often mentioned that patients who have received breast reductions are the happiest and most satisfied of all plastic surgery recipients.

The surgery can also make mammograms easier, since it may be difficult to get a decent mammogram reading with a great deal of excess breast tissue. Therefore, with less tissue, it can be easier for a doctors to get and interpret the results of a mammogram.