One of the most rewarding and fulfilling surgical procedures that we offer is breast reduction surgery. Quality of life can be measured by many factors. If a woman has very large pendulous breasts, then she may feel that her life is impaired by this condition. Neck pain, back pain difficulty finding good-fitting clothes to complement an otherwise good figure can be a challenge.
As with all cosmetic procedures, an in-person consultation is essential. During this time, we discuss the impact on the quality of the patient’s life of the very large breasts. We review the incision sites, risks, benefits, and potential complications. Patients understand that the incision will be around the areola, vertically down to the infra-mammary crease, and then horizontally incisions.
If the patient has fullness that extends into the lower armpit area, then an extension of the horizontal incision may be required to additionally contour the breast laterally. The goal is to create youthful, perky, and more attractive breasts than the patient has preoperatively.
This improvement most always improves the patient’s feeling of self-worth and attractiveness. Sensation to the nipple and breastfeeding may be compromised. The amount of tissue removed is variable. Some women desire as much to be removed as possible – safely.
Breast Reduction
This desire is usually related to very large breasts. The more tissue removed with large breasts the more the blood supply to the remaining nipple and areola may be compromised. If the blood supply to this area is decreased sufficiently there may be a complication with the loss of this tissue.
Therefore, as a surgeon, I must estimate and balance the patient’s desire for a reduction in size and perkiness with how much tissue must I leave for the remaining tissue to survive. Unfortunately, there is no scientific way to determine this. That’s why years of experience performing this operation is essential.
Achieving the perkiest, most youthful breasts without being too large or too small is the art of breast reduction. So, the answer to the above question is relative to the patient’s desire for size reduction and the surgeon’s ability to determine what needs to remain for healing without complication.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
