Breast Reduction
Surgical Breast reduction is one option for women suffering from the physical and emotional effects of overly large and problematic breasts. Reduction mammoplasty is always an invasive surgical technique which is likely to leave permanent scars on the breast. However, despite these negative implications of the operation, patients generally rank their reduction procedures among the very best decisions of their lives.
Breast reduction is accomplished through a series of incisions in a vertical or anchor pattern. The vertical reduction procedure utilizes a periareolar incision surrounding the nipple and a midline vertical surgical wound from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold. The full traditional reduction technique involves the addition of a horizontal inframammary incision, in addition to those listed for the vertical procedure. The combination of these surgical wounds allows complete breast reshaping and facilitates the upward movement of the nipple placement by over 10 centimeters. Breast reduction renews and revitalizes overly large and ptotic breasts, creating a firmer, upright and youthful bust line in treated patients.
Women endure a wide range of anatomical and emotional concerns due to heavy pendulous breasts. Physical effects include severe limitation in physical athletic functionality and difficulty finding clothes which fit well and flatter an extremely buxom figure. Many women also suffer painful myositis conditions in the back, neck and shoulders, which may become a chronic concern in need of medical intervention. Women with long standing weighty breasts issues are at risk for experiencing skeletal and postural changes, which might lead to the premature development of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and thoracic hyper kyphosis in the spinal bones.
However severe these physical effects appear to be, the emotional and psychological issues associated with troublesome breasts can be far worse. Women who demonstrate prominent breasts, especially at a young age, are often greatly affected in their personal development. Many women endure unwanted and inappropriate attention paid to their difficult to disguise assets, making them self conscious and insecure. Some women suffer body dysmorphic disorder, seeing themselves as fat, rather than simply heavy up top. This is often exacerbated in shorter women who have a tendency of “losing their waist” when fully dressed. Women with sagging issues due to age or breastfeeding are doubly affected by overly large breasts, since they must also see the effects of gravity and degeneration on their bodies everyday. Women with very big natural breasts are known to experience a higher rate of depression, anxiety, psychosomatic illness and suicide than their smaller busted sisters.
Undergoing surgical breast reduction is a very effective method of self empowerment. The surgery will enact significant physical alteration which will increase functionality, comfort and aesthetic appeal. However, the changes made to the internal self are considerably more important. Post reduction mammoplasty patients report high satisfaction from their procedures due to improved body image, a feeling of increased comfort in their own skin and a bettered sense of anatomical proportion. Treated women are known to blossom socially and enjoy increased self worth, self confidence and self esteem. It is no surprise that breast reduction is rated amongst the very highest of all cosmetic surgery procedures in terms of patient satisfaction.
Of course, the procedure does have certain risks, which should be carefully considered well in advance of surgery. Scarring is the most common complication, but innovative new techniques in surgical scar reduction make this less of a factor now than ever before. Choosing a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in breast reduction will help insure a positive and satisfying operative result. To learn more about how reduction mammoplasty can fulfill your physical and emotional body image expectations, consult with a qualified reduction specialist.
-Sensei Adam Rostocki