Many women have symptoms related to overly large breasts. These women experience pain in their upper back, neck and shoulders. Years of pressure from bra straps can lead to grooving or indentations in the shoulders. With overly enlarged breasts, called macromastia, women often cannot enjoy sports, exercise, and other physical activities. These women frequently develop rashes under their breasts, especially during the warm summer months. Sometimes, even clothes can be ill fitting. Breast reduction surgery or reduction mammaplasty is a procedure that is designed to relieve women who suffer from these problems.
In Los Angeles, breast reduction surgery is a procedure that consistently ranks among the highest in patient satisfaction. Candidates for breast reduction include those women who have:
- Excessively large breasts
- Breasts which sag due to heaviness
- Shoulder grooving from bra straps
- Breasts which are disproportionately large for their body frame
- Chronic rashes in the folds under the breasts
- Asymmetry of breast size
- Limitations on physical activity because of breast enlargement
When can a Plastic Surgeon Perform a Breast Reduction?
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Warren Lent, says that breast reduction surgery can be performed at any age once a woman has stopped growing (woman usually stop growing between the ages of 18 and 20). On rare occasions, a plastic surgeon will consider a teenage candidate prior to the completion of her growth phase.
The Breast Reduction Procedure
Plastic surgeons perform breast reduction surgery by removing the excess tissue from the inner, outer and central portions of the breast. Before surgery begins, your surgeon will complete careful and meticulous markings. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the excess tissue. Once the excess is removed the breast shape is restored by wrapping the skin and tissue from the upper portion of the breast around the lower portion. This gives a woman the added benefit of having the breasts lifted to a more youthful location. The breasts are also tighter and firmer which also makes them appear more youthful. With the guidance of your plastic surgeon, the patient should be aware and accept the final incision pattern. Your surgeon can use several different patterns. However, the upside down T-shape is the most common.
Many women considering breast reduction surgery are concerned about the future sensation of the nipples and the possibility of being able to breast-feed. Dr. Lent says that the breast reduction procedure can be performed using specialized techniques designed to preserve nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed. This is done by carefully preserving the connection between the nipple and its underlying nerves and blood vessels. Many of Dr. Lent’s patients have gone on to breast feed their children after a breast reduction.
Plastic surgeons will perform the operation under full general anesthesia. Your surgeon may place drains under the breasts at the conclusion of the procedure to aid in the removal of any fluid build-up. The drains are usually removed between one and three days after a breast reduction. Patients are instructed not to perform any exercise or heavy lifting for at least two weeks after surgery.
Breast Reduction is generally a safe procedure. However, like all medical treatment, there are risks. The risks include bleeding, infection, skin or nipple injury, and the risk of anesthesia. It is very important that smokers quit smoking and using nicotine products for at least one month before and for at least one month after surgery. Under the care of a board certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Lent, every effort will be made to prevent and minimize risk to make your outcome a successful one.
Breast Reduction Post-Surgery
Breast reduction surgery (AKA reduction mammaplasty) is an excellent way for women to relieve the pain and discomfort placed on the upper body. Woman who have undergone the procedure are usually thrilled by the freedom they now have to participate in sports and all other physical activities. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Warren Lent, has performed hundreds of these procedures with great success.
To best understand all of your options, a full plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Warren Lent is recommended. For further details on each aspect of a breast reduction, he invite you to see his Breast Reduction: Before and After page to see actual patients who have had a breast reduction with Dr. Lent.
Here at Dr. Warren Lent’s office, we show care for each patient from the initial consultation to the final post-surgery call. We look forward to hearing from you. For more information about the breast reduction procedure, costs, or questions, please contact us at:
150 North Robertson Blvd. Suite 140
Beverly Hills, Ca 90211