Breast Reduction
OVERVIEW
North Carolina
Breast
reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a
surgical procedure performed by the Blue Ridge
Plastic Surgery Group used to help women with
unusually large, sagging breasts to achieve
smaller, firmer breasts that are more
proportionate to their bodies. Sometimes
larger breasts can cause certain
complications like neck and back pain,
skeletal deformities, skin irritations, and
indentations in the skin caused by bra
straps. Our facility provides women, who have a harder time doing
physical activities and are self-conscious,
with the option of a North Carolina breast
augmentation. By
having a breast reduction these women will
be more comfortable and have a better
quality of life.
The best candidates for beast reduction are mature
women who have abnormally large and sagging breasts.
In most cases, doctors advise to wait until the
breasts have fully matured and developed.
Dr. Anagnos, our North Carolina Plastic Surgeon, will take into account your body type,
size, structure, and desires in order to ensure full
happiness with the final outcome. |
SURGERY
Patients are almost always put under a general
anesthesia prior to the actual breast reduction surgical procedure.
The procedure can be done in any setting, and most
people prefer the outpatient setting, as it
generally costs less. The entire procedure can take
anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, with more complicated
procedures taking longer.
During the procedure Dr. Anagnos will make a small
anchor shaped incision that circles around the
areola (the dark skin around the nipple) and follows
down the crease underneath the breasts. After making
the incision Dr. Anagnos will then remove the extra grandular tissue, fat and skin. After removing all
the tissues, the doctor will then move the nipple
and areola into their new positions. After
positioning the nipple and areola, he will
then take the skin from both sides of the breast and
move it down and around the areola, shaping the
contours of the new breast. |
Generally, during the surgery the nipples are kept
intact with their blood vessels and nerves. In
certain cases, if the patient has very large or
sagging breasts, the nipple and areola may have to
be removed and put into a higher place, due to the
amount of tissue and fat being removed. If the
nipple and areola have to be detached during the
surgery, nerves will be damaged, therefore there
will be a loss of sensation in the nipple area.
After removing all the fat and tissues, stitches are
put in around the areola, and in a vertical line
that goes down to the crease underneath the breast.
RECOVERY
Immediately following the breast augmentation surgery you will be
wrapped in gauze or be given a surgical bra to wear.
In some cases, drainage tubes will be put in each
breast in order to help the fluid drain and not
build up. In the days following the surgery you will
experience some pain and discomfort around the chest
area, and will see swelling and bruising in the
breast and arm areas. The bandages can be taken off
a day or two after surgery, however patients must
wear the surgical bra for weeks after the surgery.
After the swelling and bruising subsides, patients
are allowed to stop wearing the bra. Patients are
advised not to push on the breasts or engage in
highly physical activities in the weeks following
surgery. Most women are able to return to work and
their normal daily routine two weeks after the
surgery.
In the months after the surgery, some patients
report sharp pains that shoot through the breasts
during random times. Most patients also have some
loss of feeling in the breast and nipple area,
however as time goes by most regain feeling in these
areas.
RISKS
As with all
surgical procedures, a breast reduction carries the
same risks of infection, bleeding, and the usual
complications associated with surgery. In some
instances, women can develop small sores on the
nipples, which are treated with antibiotic creams.
Of course, there will be some scarring, however,
scars are usually well hidden by undergarments. Many
women experience a loss of feeling in the nipple and
areola area, or in rare cases these tissues can
actually die due to a loss in blood supply. If this
happens, the nipple and areola can be reconstructed.
However, a new procedure will need to take place.
In most cases, breast feeding after this procedure
is not possible because during surgery many of the
tissues and fat removed contains the milk ducts that
lead to the nipple. |
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If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at 828-268-0082,
email us, or use our
online
request form. |
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