Breast Reduction (Mamoplasty)

Women with very large breasts are often plagued with back and neck pain, skin irritation and bra strap grooving. Exercising can be uncomfortable. Breast reduction surgery is often done to relieve physical discomfort rather than for cosmetic reasons. Surgery isn't performed in younger women until the breasts are fully developed (usually by age 18) and the patient is mature enough to understand the procedure and expectations. Breast reduction surgery may interfere with future plans to breast feed.

Your surgeon will measure and mark your breasts prior to surgery. Horizontal and vertical incisions are made to follow the natural contours of the breast. Excess skin, glandular tissue and fat are removed. The nipple and areola are moved, without removing them, to a new and higher position. The skin above the nipple is brought down to shape the new contour of the breast. If the breasts are extremely large, the nipple may be detached and moved into a higher position, but this is very rare. Numbness in the nipples and breast skin may be permanent in some patients.

You will experience pain for a few days after surgery. You should plan to take it easy for a couple of weeks and avoid lifting anything heavy for a month. Any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. A good support bra should be worn at all times while your incisions heal.