Breast Reduction

Women with very large, pendulous breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight- including back, neck and shoulder pain; skin irritation, shoulder grooving, skeletal deformities and breathing problems.

Bra straps may leave indentations in a woman’s shoulders. Unusually, large breasts can make a woman, or a teenage girl, feel extremely self-conscious. Breast reduction, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is designed for such women. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.

The goal of breast reduction surgery is to give the woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body. If you're considering breast reduction, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure- when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask Dr. Robinson if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

A breast reduction is a surgery for reshaping and reducing the size of the breasts. This is accomplished by removing excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a smaller breast size in proportion with your body. It will also alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

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Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?

Overdeveloped breasts can have a constant negative effect upon a woman’s life. Common problems for women who may benefit from breast reduction surgery include:

• Body aches and pain, especially in the back and shoulders
• Heavy breasts that stretch the skin, bearing downward pointing nipples over time
• Noticeable size difference between breasts
• Disproportionate breast size to body frame size
• Rashes or skin irritation resulting from the bottom of the breast rubbing the skin
• Being restricted from certain physical activities due to the size and weight of the breasts
• Feeling self-conscious or generally unhappy with the aesthetic qualities of large breasts

Breast reduction surgery can help to alleviate these issues, as well as give an overall more aesthetically pleasing appearance and body silhouette, especially when the breasts are out of proportion with body size.

Where are the incisions made for breast reduction surgery?

A breast reduction typically involves three incisions: one around the areola, one vertical incision from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease under the breast, and one incision horizontally beneath the breast in the crease, following its natural curve. This is commonly referred to as the “anchor” incision. Newer techniques are used to remove the lower horizontal portion, giving a “lollipop-shaped” incision.

During breast reduction surgery, the excess tissue and skin are removed and the incisions are closed with careful attention paid to the shape and overall appearance of the breasts.

How long is recovery following breast reduction?

Immediately after breast reduction surgery, you will likely experience swelling and some discomfort. Dr. Robinson will prescribe a pain medication to alleviate any pain or discomfort and will recommend that you wear a support bra for a few weeks.

Depending on the extent of the procedure, you should be able to go back to work in as little as ten days. It is important to remember that the full results may not be evident for several months as your body adjusts and heals.

Fountain View Professional Center 10110 Donald S. Powers Drive, Suite 201A Munster, IN 46321 (219) 513-2100	Vale Park Medical Center 401 Wall Street Valparaiso, IN 46383 (866) 613-2100

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