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Breast Reduction and Breast lift
Breast reduction may give women with
large pendulous breasts relief from a variety of problems, from
back and neck pain and irritated skin to skeletal deformities and
breathing difficulties.
These patients often complain of painful
grooves in their shoulders produced by their breasts. In these cases
the ideal procedure is a reduction mammaplasty in which the surgeon
will not only reduce the size of the breast, but will sculpt it
to give the best possible shape.
In some patients the problem is mostly
stretched skin with looseness of the whole breast in which the problem
is confined to the shape and form of the breast. In these cases
a breast lift is the ideal procedure and the surgeon will create
a better shaped breast without necessary reducing the size of the
breast. In fact sometimes these procedure is performed in conjunction
with breast augmentation, depending on the size of the breast.
Of all plastic surgery procedures,
breast reductions and breast lifts result in the quickest body-images
changes. Having a cosmetic breast procedure can greatly improve
the way a woman sees herself, resulting in an enhanced self-esteem.
THE PROCEDURE
Depending on the size of the breast
there are several variations of techniques employed.
The most common technique employed
is the classic Pitanguy technique which is used for larger and/or
very flaccid breasts. In these cases incisions are placed circling
the areola, extending downward, and following the natural curve
of the crease beneath the breasts. The areola is reduced in diameter
if needed and excess glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed.
Subsequently the areola is placed in the new higher position even
with the inframmamary crease or a little higher. The remaining tissues
are reshaped around the areola to achieve the desired contour.
For cases in which there is no, or
little excess mammary tissue, a variation of the Pitanguy technique
may be employed. In this case the incisions are placed surrounding
the areola extending downward onto the natural crease of the breast
without an horizontal extension. A pedicle or tissue base is created
from the lower pole of the breast and it is transferred to the upper
pole, so the breast adopts an harmonic conical shape. Then the incisions
are sutured and a dressing is applied.
One of the most important questions
in regard to the technique employed is your goals and expectations
of the surgery. Items like size and shape of the breast will be
fully discussed prior to your surgery.
POST OPERATORY
Breast reduction and breast lifts
surgeries are usually done as an outpatient procedure, but a one
night stay may be recommended in individual cases.
These procedures are usually carried
out under general anesthesia, especially if associated with other
procedures. In certain cases of breast lift local anesthesia and
sedation may be utilized. You may feel some discomfort during the
first couple of days, but will easily be controlled by the use of
analgesics.
For the first few days following breast
surgery, you will wear surgical dressings and a special post-surgical
bra is worn for several weeks. You should avoid lifting your arms
or pushing anything heavy for the first three to four weeks. With
the support of your surgical bra, you should be able to increase
your activity level at a steady pace.
You will be allowed to return to your
desk job work in four to five days if you were submitted into a
breast lift or after seven to ten days if a breast reduction was
performed
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