Reduction

While majority of women are yearning to have larger breasts, a few others wish they have smaller mounds.

Breast reduction is a form of cosmetic surgery that is meant to be performed on women with huge, pendulum breasts. Some people may wonder why large breasts need reduction. Actually, there are several health conditions associated with oversized breasts, necessitating women to undergo the procedure.

Breast reduction, which is otherwise known as reduction mammoplasty, works to eliminate fat, skin, and glandular tissue, from the patient’s breasts in order to make these lighter, smaller, and firmer. The procedure can also reduce the size of the breasts’ areola. Overall, the goal of breast reduction surgery is to reduce breast size so that the patient may have breasts that are proportionate to her body.

Generally, breast reductions are performed not merely for aesthetic purposes, but more so to obtain physical relief. Thus, it is understandable why majority of women who undergo such surgery are those who are uncomfortable with their large and sagging breasts. Since breasts like these restrict women to engage in certain activities, there is a need to have them reduced.

The reduction of the breasts should be done when the breasts have reached their full growth. But surgery may be performed early, especially if the breasts are causing severe discomfort to the person. Breast reduction patients should be able to understand details of the procedure, and should expect realistic results from it. Women who are breastfeeding or who are planning to breast feed will not make good candidates for this surgery.

Oversized breasts may not sound that serious to most people. However, this is actually a medical condition that has a medical term – breast hypertrophy. This condition typically happens in both of the patient’s breasts, and occurs during puberty or just after. Oversized breasts are also brought about by pregnancies, which sometimes persist or remain so for good.

Most often, patients are under general anesthesia when undergoing breast reduction. This means that they sleep all throughout the procedure and won’t feel anything. However, there may be discomfort and other effects after the surgery. Patients may expect their breast to be swollen, bruised, and sore. Pain may be addressed with certain medications. Activities, especially those that require too much movement, should be minimized until after about two weeks. Also, patients may be advised to wear special bras. Stitches are normally removed after two weeks.

Although complications may be avoided when the surgery is done by a highly-competent surgeon, there are still instances where minor side effects are experienced by the patient. Sometimes adverse reactions to anesthesia may occur, as well as bleeding or infection. Minor pain is normal, although a severe and persistent one may necessitate you to go for a follow-up visit to your surgeon.

There are rare instances where the loss of blood due to the surgery will have a negative effect on the breast. Some patients may experience temporary or permanent loss of sensation on the nipple and or breasts. There are also occasions wherein breastfeeding may become impossible after breast reduction.

Scars are the inevitable effects of reduction mammoplasty. Moreover, these remain even long after the breasts have completely healed. Smoking does not do anything to improve this scarring issue. Women who smoke will experience slower healing and are most likely to have wider scars.

But scars are nothing compared to how “positive” you will be feeling right after the reduction. Not only are you rid of the discomfort, you will also be able to avoid health issues like chronic neck and back pains, among others.

So whoever says “the bigger, the better” haven’t looked at the mirror hard enough.