Breast reduction can be a cure for ailments including headaches, neck aches, backaches, poor circulation and even breathing problems. If your breasts are too large for your frame, breast reduction may be for you.
Often the target of bad jokes and pain-filled days, women with breasts that are too large for their frames often find relief by undergoing breast reduction surgery. And it's not just physical relief; data shows that recipients are the most satisfied of all plastic surgery patients. Breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, has been performed on an estimated half-million women since 2005.
All facets of a woman's life can be affected by too-large breasts including everything from unwanted attention at the grocery store, to excessively painful exercising. But there is certainly hope, particularly because breast reduction is not considered cosmetic surgery by many insurance companies. Some companies require that at least four pounds be removed from each breast before they will cover the procedure.
The reduction mammoplasty process includes removing fat, skin, glandular tissue and even implants that are no longer wanted. A number of incision options are available - your doctor will help you decide which is best for you. The breasts are literally reconstructed, including moving the areolas and nipples to higher positions. Reduction in the mass of the breasts will lead to smaller, higher and firmer breasts, presenting a more youthful appearance and proportional body shape.
During the pre-surgery visits, your doctor will determine if you are a good candidate. Those who get the best results are patients who are emotionally mature, have fully developed breasts, do not plan to breast-feed their children and who have realistic expectations.
Before your surgery date, make sure your doctor has answered all of your questions and that you feel comfortable with those answers, with the physician and staff and with the facility. Your doctor will tell you about the different incisions that might be used to achieve your goal.
There are a number of methods available to be used in breast reduction surgery.
Liposuction has been used with varying degrees of success, but does provide for faster healing and fewer scars. The keyhole incision, or inferior pedicle technique, is often used with the most success for women with large and droopy breasts. The inferior pedicle technique uses an incision that circles the areola, goes down and around the natural curve of the breast, looking like a keyhole. Smaller reductions can use the vertical scar technique, leaving smaller scars. Your doctor will tell you which type of incision will be best for you.
Two to three hours for surgery, then a short recuperation time for the anesthesia enables many patients to be treated on an outpatient basis. If you smoke, make sure to quit at least two months before surgery - it reduces the recuperation time and the amount of scarring. It can take up to six months for your body to heal completely, make sure you provide for after-surgery care and have a healing-friendly atmosphere at home. Get food that's easy to prepare, keep everything you need well within reach and have a friend stay with you for at least the first day after surgery. You'll still be feeling the effects of the anesthesia.
Remember, you can start down the road to relief from the physical issues and social stigma that comes with overly large breasts by speaking with your doctor about breast reduction. To find a doctor that's right for you, get a referral, check on the Internet or in the yellow pages for a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Only a licensed medical practitioner can give you medical advice that's right for you. This article is for information only and shouldn't be considered medical advice.
Often the target of bad jokes and pain-filled days, women with breasts that are too large for their frames often find relief by undergoing breast reduction surgery. And it's not just physical relief; data shows that recipients are the most satisfied of all plastic surgery patients. Breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, has been performed on an estimated half-million women since 2005.
All facets of a woman's life can be affected by too-large breasts including everything from unwanted attention at the grocery store, to excessively painful exercising. But there is certainly hope, particularly because breast reduction is not considered cosmetic surgery by many insurance companies. Some companies require that at least four pounds be removed from each breast before they will cover the procedure.
The reduction mammoplasty process includes removing fat, skin, glandular tissue and even implants that are no longer wanted. A number of incision options are available - your doctor will help you decide which is best for you. The breasts are literally reconstructed, including moving the areolas and nipples to higher positions. Reduction in the mass of the breasts will lead to smaller, higher and firmer breasts, presenting a more youthful appearance and proportional body shape.
During the pre-surgery visits, your doctor will determine if you are a good candidate. Those who get the best results are patients who are emotionally mature, have fully developed breasts, do not plan to breast-feed their children and who have realistic expectations.
Before your surgery date, make sure your doctor has answered all of your questions and that you feel comfortable with those answers, with the physician and staff and with the facility. Your doctor will tell you about the different incisions that might be used to achieve your goal.
There are a number of methods available to be used in breast reduction surgery.
Liposuction has been used with varying degrees of success, but does provide for faster healing and fewer scars. The keyhole incision, or inferior pedicle technique, is often used with the most success for women with large and droopy breasts. The inferior pedicle technique uses an incision that circles the areola, goes down and around the natural curve of the breast, looking like a keyhole. Smaller reductions can use the vertical scar technique, leaving smaller scars. Your doctor will tell you which type of incision will be best for you.
Two to three hours for surgery, then a short recuperation time for the anesthesia enables many patients to be treated on an outpatient basis. If you smoke, make sure to quit at least two months before surgery - it reduces the recuperation time and the amount of scarring. It can take up to six months for your body to heal completely, make sure you provide for after-surgery care and have a healing-friendly atmosphere at home. Get food that's easy to prepare, keep everything you need well within reach and have a friend stay with you for at least the first day after surgery. You'll still be feeling the effects of the anesthesia.
Remember, you can start down the road to relief from the physical issues and social stigma that comes with overly large breasts by speaking with your doctor about breast reduction. To find a doctor that's right for you, get a referral, check on the Internet or in the yellow pages for a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Only a licensed medical practitioner can give you medical advice that's right for you. This article is for information only and shouldn't be considered medical advice.