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Procedures |
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Los Angeles Breast Reduction |
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Disproportionally large and heavy breasts are often a source of pain and discomfort for women. Because of the weight, this often causes back and neck strains; as well as resulting in shoulder indentations from the shoulder straps. Women with very large breasts often suffer from skin irritation and infection underneath their breast folds. Large breasts frequently prevent women from participating in sports. They also make it difficult for women to fit well into cloths. In summary, large breasts are not only a hazard to a woman’s health but also diminish her sense of self-esteem and independence.
Breast Reduction, or Reduction Mammoplasty, is the surgical procedure to reduce breast size and weight through the removal of excess breast tissue, fat and skin. The plastic surgeon not only makes the breasts more proportionate to a woman’s figure, but also lifts them. |
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Of all the surgical procedures performed by plastic surgeons, breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is probably the most rewarding for the patient as well as the doctor. The purpose of this procedure is to reduce the dimensions of the breasts to a more proportional and manageable size. In doing so, the surgeon removes excess breast tissue and skin, tailors a new breast that is smaller, more proportional, and more youthful.
Disproportionate Breasts:
Some women develop breasts that are disproportionate to their overall size, such as a petite woman with "D" cup breasts, who would be very "top heavy" and have difficulty finding clothes that fit properly.
Breast "Ptosis" or Sagging:
Often, women with large breasts have a pendulous breast shape, with nipples and areolas (the colored areas around the nipple) that point downward. Their heavy breasts sag so that they must always wear a bra, and cannot wear revealing clothes.
Painful Shoulder Grooves from Heavy Bra Straps:
Painful and uncomfortable indentations result from the need to wear full support bras with tight straps, even to sleep. |
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Although all women immediately do get relief from neck and back strain, it takes several months for the new breasts to settle into their final shape. Usually, early on they might look flat and broad, but with time and with gravity they become more conical and gain more projection. It is advised to avoid bras with under-wires during this time period. In women over 40, a base-line mammogram is recommended about six months after surgery. You should also know that the removed breast tissue is always examined for sign of malignancy in the laboratory. It is thought that because breast reduction reduces the total size of the breasts, it theoretically reduces the overall incidence of breast cancer.
During the most common Breast Reduction surgery, the plastic surgeon makes an "anchor-shaped" incision the circles the areola, through a total of three incisions. One incision is made around the areola – the colored area around the nipple. A second incision is made vertically from the bottom of the areola to beneath the breast crease. A third incision curves in the under-breast (Inframammary) fold. The plastic surgeon then removes excess tissue, fat and skin, shifting the nipple and the areola into their new higher position. The plastic surgeon then brings the skin from both sides of the breast down around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast. Skin that was above the nipple is lowered to the breast crease, allowing the surgeon to bring skin together and to reshape the breast. |
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Often, Breast Reduction is performed simultaneously with a Breast Lift or "Mastopexy," because the excess fat and glandular tissue that made breasts large and heavy lead to sagging that can only be corrected by a lifting procedure. Men who develop excessively large breasts, or "woman-like" breasts – a condition known as Gynecomastia – can also undergo Breast Reduction.
Who Would Benefit from Breast Reduction? Women who suffer from the following symptoms are good candidates for undergoing Breast Reduction Surgery:
Chronic Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain
A woman with size F cup breasts is carrying approximately six pounds more than a woman with a D cup of extra weight. This additional weight is sustained by the neck, upper back and shoulders. Imagine constantly carrying a two-liter Coke bottle by a strap around your neck. You would definitely develop neck, shoulder, and upper back pain within a short time. This makes Mammary Hypertrophy a physical disability; one that is a severe health problem and yet is being increasingly disregarded by the health insurance companies.
Women who suffer from inherently painful backs and necks — such as those with cervical disc herniation — are at even greater risk. Very often, these women find relief only through strong narcotics and muscles relaxants. This is a painful addiction problem, and causes a feeling of hopelessness. I have personally treated many patients like this who were able to cease the use of all narcotics and medications for their chronic back pain following Breast Reduction surgery.
Disproportionate Breasts: Some women develop breasts that are disproportionate to their overall size. For example a petite woman with triple D cup breasts will be very "top heavy," and would have an extremely difficult time finding clothes that properly fit her.
Inability to Exercise: Many women with very large breasts or Mammary Hypertrophy have difficulty engaging in any kind of exercise routine. The mere weight of their breasts limits their ability to jog, climb, bend, or jump. Therefore, they seek Breast Reduction surgery so that they can lead a healthier lifestyle, while enjoying sports and other activities along with their peers and their loved ones.
Insomnia and Other Sleep Difficulties: Many women with excessively large breasts report difficulty with breathing during sleep and the inability to fall asleep (insomnia). They often resort to sleeping upright while wearing their bras to bed. Reduction Mammoplasty enables them to have a good night's rest. |
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Breast Asymmetry: Breast asymmetry, or having uneven breasts, is very common among those with Macromastia; especially in women who develop this condition as a result of pregnancy. This makes finding bras and clothes difficult. They always feel "lop-sided." A breast reduction can correct breast asymmetry while making the size more proportionate.
Breast Ptosis and Sagging: Often women with large breasts have a pendulous breast shape, with nipples and areolas (the colored area around the nipple) that point downward. Their heavy breasts sag to a point that they must always wear a bra and cannot wear revealing clothes. These women not only would like to have smaller and more proportionate breasts, yet would like to have them lifted so that at times they can choose to be "braless."
During your consultation Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for breast reduction, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of breast reduction available in our photo gallery.
In the following sections Dr. Younai reviews your treatment options for breast augmentation or enlargement, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of breast augmentation available in our photo gallery. |
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