Breast reduction: when it is necessary

What is breast reduction?

Breast reduction is a plastic and aesthetic surgery aimed at reducing the volume of the breast. Many women resort to this operation to reduce the size of too large and / or sagging breasts or to correct a breast asymmetry.

Breast reduction also allows to eliminate disorders related to excessive breast volume such as: pain in the back, cervical region, lumbar and breast region, headaches, breathing problems, dermatitis and ulcerations in correspondence with the bra straps and in the submammary fold, as well as aesthetic and psychological problems resulting from the limitations that too large breasts can cause in the choice of clothing, in the performance of a sporting activity, in the sexual life or in the social sphere of a woman.

The reduction of the breast volume also allows to decrease, in percentage of the volume removed, the incidence of breast cancer.

When is it convenient to perform the surgery?

The presence of very large (hypertrophy) and sagging (breast ptosis) breasts may depend on genetic factors, the hormonal receptivity of the breast tissue or excessive weight gain.

When the volume of the breast to be removed exceeds 800 cc. we speak of gigantomastia , a mammary hypertrophy of considerable size associated, generally, with pathological changes in the gland and supporting tissues.

Breast reduction is a relatively complex operation that generally gives excellent results , provided however that it is performed by a specialist in plastic surgery, experienced in breast remodeling , within duly equipped and authorized structures.

 

For whom is reduction mammoplasty indicated?

Breast reduction is indicated for women whose breasts, being too bulky, can cause problems such as:

• Back pain, especially in the cervical and lumbar region
• Pain in the breast region
• Breathing problems
• Ulceration in the inframammary fold and at the bra straps
• Psychological and social problems that can affect women in daily life and / or in sports and sexual activity

What kind of anesthesia is used?

Breast reduction is generally performed under general anesthesia with or without intubation, on a day-hospital basis. In case of severe hypertrophy or gigantomastia, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires one or two nights of hospitalization in the clinic.

Where are the incisions made?

Depending on whether it is small, medium or large reductions, the incisions can be made only around the areola or go down vertically to the inframammary sulcus and along the lower fold of the breast.

What kind of result is obtained with breast reduction?

The aesthetic result achievable with this type of surgery is generally very satisfactory and lasting but not permanent, as it will always be conditioned by your lifestyle (weight gain and loss, pregnancy, smoking, etc.) and by the inevitable effects of gravity and of aging.