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Reduction in the size and weight
of the female breast is known as reduction
mammoplasty. This surgery
removes some of the breast tissue, relocates the nipple
to a more youthful position, and improves the shape
and position. This will make the breast smaller, more
compact, and give the breast a lift. Frequently, the
areola (dark skin around the nipple) is also made smaller.
Functional symptoms (medical disorders) caused by excessive
breast weight may be relieved or improved by this operation.
When men or adolescent boys develop sustained breast
enlargement, the condition is called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia
can also be corrected by special surgical procedures.
Dr. Weeter finds that these
patients are among the most grateful patients due to
their relief of painful symptoms and to their improved
appearance. Published medical studies of reduction mammoplasty
patients have confirmed this. Patients not only have
relief from their symptoms but also the ability to exercise
better, to get a better fit in their clothes and many
have psychological benefits. Probably more than any
other groups of patients, women, who have had breast
reduction, are advocates that encourage others to consider
this reconstructive surgery. Men who undergo correction
of gynecomastia
are no longer embarrassed about their chest area.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
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Before
and After
Breast Reduction
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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A
woman with large, heavy breasts frequently have
back, shoulder and neck pain, poor posture, bra-strap
indentations and chafing or rashes under the breasts
will benefit from reduction. |
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A woman with a
bust line that is significantly out of proportion
with the rest of her figure, and may have difficulty
finding the right fit of clothing. |
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A woman who has
difficulty with exercise, physical activities, or
poor posture due to large heavy breasts. |
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A woman (or man,
with gynecomastia) with a decreased sense of self-confidence
or attractiveness because of large breast size.
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A woman with one
breast that is enlarged out of proportion with the
opposite, more appropriately sized breast, or out
of proportion with a breast reconstructed following
cancer surgery. |
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Smoking should
be stopped for several weeks before and after this
major surgery. |
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The specific risks
and suitability of this procedure for a given individual
can be determined only at the time of consultation.
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. |
INTENDED RESULT
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More
attractive contour and smaller breast size. |
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Without the consequences
of large, heavy breasts, many women may find that
their posture is better or may find greater enjoyment
engaging in physical activities. |
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Freedom from health
problems, such as neck, shoulder, and back pain,
associated with excessively large breasts. |
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Incisions that
fade acceptably and are in locations which are concealed
by clothing. |
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Improved self-image. |
PROCEDURE
 |
Before
and After
Breast Reduction
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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The
procedure is done under general anesthesia in the
safety of an outpatient surgical facility or in
the hospital. |
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There are a variety
of techniques for these operations. Most commonly,
there is an incision around the areola, another
between the areola and the breast crease and the
third within the crease under the breast. This is
called the "anchor-shape" or inverted
"T" incision. On occasion, these incisions
may be modified and more limited. |
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The fatty and
glandular tissues of the breast and overlying excess
skin are removed. |
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After removal
of these elements, the breast can be contoured and
pulled tighter to make them lighter, smaller, and
firmer with an uplift. |
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Sutures are typically
beneath the skin to strengthen the scar and avoid
stitch marks. |
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Surgical correction
of gynecomastia is usually done with a combination
of liposuction (suction assisted lipoplasty) and
a small incisional removal of the tissues. |
RECOVERY
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Initially,
the breasts are wrapped with a surgical dressing
to accommodate post-operative swelling and bruising.
This is soon replaced with the comfort of a bra
to hold soft gauze dressings until the breast is
ready for the new sized bra. |
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Initial discomfort
subsides daily and can be controlled with oral medication.
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Discomfort, swelling
and discoloration of the breasts are to be expected
for several weeks. |
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Usually, Dr. Weeter’s
patients return to progressively more normal activity
within several weeks. The scars at the incision
lines typically become reddish and firm a few weeks
after surgery, but after many months they usually
become pale and soft. After 8-12 months, the scars
are relatively inconspicuous. The nipples and some
areas of the skin may be less sensitive immediately
after surgery. Sensation usually returns to normal
within a few weeks or months, but sometimes may
be diminished or overly sensitive. |
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With the newer
techniques in breast reduction, breast-feeding may
not be affected, although the possibility still
exists. |
OPTIONS
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An
additional procedure that would enhance the result
is liposuction
of the axillary area (armpit) or flanks to reduce
excess fat deposits. |
INSURANCE
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Large
breasts (macromastia) or breast hypertrophy can
occur in a variety of conditions (family trait,
post-pregnancy, excessive adolescent growth). When
the excessive size causes functional problems, insurance
will generally pay for the operation. These problems
may include neck pain, back or shoulder pain, irritation
under the bra straps or under the breasts and breast
pain. Other problems, which are less likely reasons
to be covered by insurance, include: skin irritation,
skeletal deformity, breathing problems, psychological/emotional
problems, and interference with normal activities.
Pre-authorization by the insurance company is required
prior to surgery. Each insurance policy has different
guidelines and exclusions. |
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This procedure
is commonly covered by insurance though insurance
criteria are becoming more and more restrictive.
Dr. Weeter and his staff will assist you in obtaining
pre-authorization from your insurance carrier. |
As time passes, pregnancy, nursing,
excessive weight loss and gravity have adverse effects
on women's breasts causing them to lose their elasticity,
firmness, and shape and they begin to sag. A mastopexy
or breast lift is a procedure that corrects this condition
using a combination of removing excess breast skin and
tightening the skin. If desired, implants may be used
to restore breasts to their natural shape and size.
The best candidates for a breast lift (Mastopexy) are
healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic
about the result they would like to achieve. A breast
lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence.
The best results are achieved on women with small, sagging
breasts due to loss of skin elasticity secondary to
pregnancy and / or nursing, or weight loss. Those who
plan to have more children may want to postpone surgery,
as the process of pregnancy and breast-feeding may change
the final result of the surgery.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
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Before
and After
Breast Lift
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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Women who have sagging
breasts due to past pregnancies, weight change,
genetics or aging. |
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Women whose breast contour has spread
out after pregnancy so that the breast looks smaller
or less compact. |
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If the sagging is too significant
to be treated with an implant alone. |
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If the nipple-areola complexes (pigmented
areas around the nipples) are disproportionately
enlarged. |
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Women that have nipples and areolas
that point downward or are lower than the fold beneath
the breasts. |
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Women that have significant asymmetry
of breast contour and level of the nipples. |
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Women who will need modification
of a breast to match the opposite breast that has
been reconstructed after a mastectomy. Under these
conditions, insurance coverage should be available. |
INTENDED
RESULT
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A mastopexy or breast
lift procedure is designed to improve the shape
and position of the breasts without reducing their
size. |
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It is used for breasts that sag but
are not overly large. |
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An elevated, more youthful, breast
contour. |
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Some women find that the more compact
breast contour makes their breasts look bigger without
breast implants. |
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Some patients will have a more attractive
shape to their breasts or shorter scars if they
choose to have implants used at the time of the
mastopexy. |
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Nipple-areolar complexes of the desired
size and at the correct height. |
PROCEDURE
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The procedure is done
on an outpatient basis in the safety of an accredited
surgical facility under sedation with local anesthesia,
or general anesthesia. |
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Several different techniques are
available for this procedure. Most commonly there
is an incision around the areola, another between
the areola and breast crease, and a third within
the crease under the breast. This is the "anchor-shape"
or inverted "T" incision. On occasion,
these incisions may be modified and more limited,
such that the only incision will be at the edge
of the areola. |
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The nipple-areola complex is repositioned
higher, the excess skin is removed and the breast
is reshaped to have a pleasing contour and to be
in a more normal position. |
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Dr. Weeter chooses to place the sutures
beneath the skin to strengthen the scar, minimize
widening of the scar, and avoid stitch marks. |
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Breast-feeding should not be affected.
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The insertion of a breast implant
is possible and may be desirable at the same time
as mastopexy. |
RECOVERY
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A post-operative soft
dressing will be used for the first few nights.
Soon a soft sports bra or supportive bra will be
worn. |
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Sutures are typically beneath the
skin to strengthen the scar and avoid stitch marks.
These sutures do not need to be removed. |
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Initial discomfort is easily controlled
with oral medication. |
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Light activities may be started in
7 to 10 days. Full activities are resumed by 6 weeks.
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Lifting over 10 pounds is to be avoided
for 2 weeks. |
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Fading of the scars occurs over 6
to 12 months. |
OPTIONS
| NOTE: The specific risks
and the suitability of this procedure for you may be determined only at
the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. |
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