Breast Reduction: Ranks High in Patient Satisfaction
March 30th, 2015
Just as some women may experience a decrease in breast size over time, some will notice an increase in breast size, others simply want a change. When a woman is uncomfortable with having too much breast tissue, there are several options to correct this condition. A dramatic increase in size may have resulted due to an increase in overall weight gain or a pronounced sagging of the breast tissue. As we’ve discussed in earlier posts, overly large breasts may cause physical discomfort, including symptoms like neck pain, back pain, shoulder grooving and irritation beneath the breasts. Patients routinely turn to breast reduction or breast lift surgery to reduce their symptoms, along with their breast size and or position. Patient satisfaction rates are particularly high for this cosmetic surgery. Reducing breast size can be done with direct surgical removal of breast tissue or by using liposuction. Liposuction is effective only when there is a significant amount of fat in the breasts. Liposuction does not adjust nipple position, which requires removing and re-positioning the nipple.
Traditional breast reduction surgery reduces breast size through excision of breast tissue, while repositioning the nipple and areola (pigmented skin around the nipple). The size of the areola can also be reduced. Breast reduction scars, which are similar to breast lift surgery, are placed around the nipple and beneath the breast as well. Scars will be less noticeable as they continue to heal. I recommend any breast tissue that is removed should be sent for examination by a pathologist. This laboratory examination includes a visualization under a microscope after tissue staining, to determine the presence of conditions or abnormalities which might increase chances of breast cancer. On rare occasions, breast cancer is diagnosed this way.
Our patients choose of their desired final breast size, based on decisions made during our office consultation, unless insurance is being considered. A range of implant “sizers” are helpful in this regard. The appropriate time to schedule reduction surgery following pregnancy is determined by normal involution of breast tissue and the end to breast-feeding. Generally this takes six months to a year after delivery or three months after ending breast-feeding. There is a possibility that some women will not be able to breast feed again after breast reduction surgery. Therefore, if breast-feeding is an important consideration, we advise our patients to postpone breast reduction surgery until they are finished having children. According to statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 120,000 patients have chosen breast reduction/ lift surgery last year.
Diary of Breast Reduction: Patient Reflects
March 17th, 2014
Michelle’s Patient Blog: My Reflections
Michelle writes: I write this email exactly 3 weeks after my surgery. I am still thrilled with my decision to do this surgery. I have to say again, I had high expectations from the results of this surgery. I wanted to feel better in my own skin. I wanted to be able to wear a bra without pain in my shoulders, and I wanted to be able to workout without wearing 2 bras! Granted, I haven’t gotten back into my daily workout routine, I don’t think I am ready for that. But, as soon as I am able, I plan to! My breasts are starting to settle, the swelling is down, although not completely. The scabs from the incisions have all fallen off, and the remaining scars are hidden well and barely noticeable. There is still soreness, especially after work or the end of the day, or just moving around for 11 hours. The ice/water bag combo feels sooooo good after a long day, and I would highly recommend that you do that everyday, from the day of surgery on, it helps out a lot!
I did this surgery for me. Not anyone else. And there are NO regrets. I did tell some very close friends/family about my decision, but that is limited to maybe a close 10 people. It wasn’t something that should matter to anyone but me, and so it wasn’t something I felt that needed to share. I didn’t care what anyone else thought. The decision to share is obviously different for everyone, that was just my experience.
All in all – I would do this again in a heartbeat! Even though the final results aren’t until 6-12 months after, I love the result now. I instantly felt “lighter” in the shoulders the day after surgery. My neck isn’t as tight. I am thrilled with how I feel, how I look and the fact that I chose Bashioum Cosmetic Surgery to perform this surgery. They fulfilled everything they said it would be and then some.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you! Any woman who is thinking about having breast reduction surgery or a breast lift, stop thinking about it and just do it. You will not regret your decision.
Dr. Bashioum’s final thoughts, read here.
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