Breast reduction surgery is a very common and rewarding operative procedure for patients. The decision-making process requires consideration of several factors. No surgery on the breast should be performed before complete breast growth is completed.
This usually is following the completion of puberty. The factors to consider are as follows. Will this patient desire to breastfeed? If so, then the procedure for reduction should be delayed until the patient completes their childbearing and breast-feeding years.
Often the size and discomfort of the breasts require, from the patient’s point of view to perform this operation before the completion of childbearing years accepting the fact that breastfeeding may most likely not be possible.
Once this issue is addressed the incision site, bleeding, infection risks and desired volume reduction should be discussed. The average age taking into consideration all these factors is a procedure more commonly performed on middle-aged women. As stated, we may perform the operation on younger patients if the motivation is clear in the understanding is complete.
Breast Reduction
Heavy sagging breasts can significantly impair a woman’s quality of life. The pain and inconvenience of large pendulous breasts can be overwhelming for some women. Neck pain, shoulder pain, middle, and lower back pain, and deep broad grooves could all be present and part of the decision-making process.
The breast reduction surgery’s goal is usually to create a smaller but not too small breast with a more aesthetic areola and nipple position. Therefore, the size is reduced, and a smaller perkier breast is achieved. Along with the volume reduction, there is always a lift as well. The incision sites are around the areola and have vertical and horizontal components. This is in the shape of an inverted T. Once again breast reduction in the right patient can be a very rewarding and fulfilling procedure.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
