Surgery to reduce breasts or reduction mammoplasty is a surgical procedure to decrease the size of the breasts, by removing fat, breast tissue and skin, making them smaller, light and strong. It can also reduce the size of the areola.

Women with large breasts may have some problems due to this excess weight, as back pain and neck, skin irritation beneath the breast and respiratory problems. The purpose of reduction mammoplasty is providing women with smaller breasts and some with a more proportional shape the rest of your body

Who is the ideal candidate for breast reduction surgery?

The surgery to reduce breasts usually done to alleviate a physical problem, rather than purely aesthetic reasons. Many women who undergo this procedure are concerned about the excessive volume of your chest that interferes with many activities and cause physical discomfort. In most cases it is expected until the breast is fully developed, but can be performed earlier if physical problems are very important. This procedure is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed after pregnancy.

Planning for Surgery

During the first consultation, the plastic surgeon will evaluate the size and shape of the breasts, the firmness of the skin and overall health. It also performs breast examination and mammography in some cases, a study was prompted. He explained the different surgical techniques, the size and shape of your breasts and you have the options or combination of procedures that are best for you will be discussed.

Please state your expectations of honest and frank, so that the plastic surgeon is also open and show you the alternatives available to your problem, the risks and limitations of each. It will also explain what type of anesthesia to be used, and costs of the intervention.

Surgery and anesthesia

The breast reduction surgery is performed in an operating room, within a clinic or hospital. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia narcosedación, the patient remained asleep during the operation.

Surgery to reduce breasts

A hard breast reduction between 3 and 4 hours, although in certain cases it can be extended. Various techniques exist, but generally have anchor-shaped incisions around the areola standing, in a vertical line down from the areola and in a horizontal line in the groove underneath the breast. Through these incisions excess skin is removed, fat and breast tissue and areola and the nipple is repositioned in its new position; in some cases can be associated liposuction.

In most cases the areola remains attached to their blood vessels and nerves, maintaining normal or near-normal sensation; however, in cases of large reductions may be necessary to completely separate the areola and place it in its new position, losing the feeling. After surgery, drainage tubes and a bandage is placed around the breasts.

After surgery

After breast surgery is normal to be a little tired some days, but you can do almost to normal life 24-48 hours. Most discomfort is well controlled with prescribed medication by your plastic surgeon, although the breasts can hurt a couple of weeks; the first period after a reduction can make the breasts to swell and hurt.

The bandage or dressing will be removed in a few days, being replaced by a special fastener, to be kept in the manner prescribed by your surgeon. It is normal to have a burning sensation in the nipples during the first two weeks.

After reduction can be normal to have decreased nipple sensation; this situation is usually temporary. Stitches are removed between 7 and 14 days; edema not completely gives up the 4 th 8 weeks.

After surgery to reduce breasts, you can return to work in 2 from 3 weeks, but in a few days you can do almost normal life. You should limit strenuous physical activity for a month. During 1 from 2 weeks is advisable to avoid sex for the incisions are not inflamed; during 3 from 4 weeks avoid intense physical contact of the breasts. It is normal to see small scabs or some fluid through the incisions. Your plastic surgeon will be watching during the months following the surgery to see the evolution.

Are there risks? Are there any guarantees?

Surgery breast reduction is a safe, long as it is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. However, as with any operation there can always be complications and risks.

Breast reduction leaves permanent scars and visible, though you be concealed under the bra or bikini. Healing problems are more common in smokers. Some patients may experience a partial reduction, and occasionally, total of nipple sensation. After a reduction may be affected the ability to breastfeed.

The results

It is important to remember that after a reduction scars are important and permanent, although your plastic surgeon will strive to be noticed as little as possible. Over time, will scar them noticing less.

After surgery to reduce breasts, it will take a few months for your breasts to acquire the final appearance; even so, breast change to normal hormonal stimuli, pregnancy or weight changes. You may need some time to get used to your new body image. If your expectations are realistic you will be very satisfied with the outcome of breast reduction.

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