LReduction mammoplasty (breast reduction) is performed on patients from their early teens, as girls who have a precocious and excessive mammal development, through their later years. Is done in order to alleviate the physical problem of large breasts. This procedure is very effective against this pathology.
The patient that seeks breast reduction often complains of back pain, and shoulder pain, as well as breast pain. Sometimes there is difficulty in finding the right clothing. There are often skin changes in the breast due to the pressure on the skin. It is frequent that the patient may feel uncofortable, not only on a body level, but also in peer relationships, because of the self image problems that are generated. This problem may even affect only one side of the breast in patients with mammal asimmetry(congenital mammal deformities). también frecuente que la paciente se sienta incómoda, no sólo en el aspecto físico, sino también en los campos social y relacional.
In the older patient, the large breast exerts a pendulum effect, which may make it difficult to breathe, and causes severe back problems. In the younger patient, the premature development of the breasts may cause the child an early difficulty in peer relationships, because of the self image problems that are generated (this pathology is called virginal gigantomasty). The group of patients that have been operated of mammal reduction by a plastic surgeon is one of the most satisfied of the surgery (more than 95%). This is confirmed by extended revisions of mammal reduction cases in plastic surgery medical literature.
Breast reduction plastic surgery is always performed in the hospital. Depending on the amount of tissue to be removed, the operation may take anywhere from two to four and half hours. Because it is performed in the hospital, the patient may choose to recover in the hospital as well as leaving the same day of the operation in cases of reduction of a minor volumen.
Dr.Cerqueiro performs this operation at the associated Hospitals in Madrid and La Coruña.
There are various techniques that have been described to accomplish the breast reduction. Most involve maintaining the nipple and the areolar complex on a pedicle, and transferring this unit to a new position just above the level of the breast crease (inframammary fold). Depending on the technique used, the resultant scars may be positioned: 1.- Around the nipple and vertically down to the crease 2.- The same distribution before with the add of a diagonal scar along the inframammary crease.
Dr. Cerqueiro uses several different techniques, depending on the age of the patient, the particular size of the breast and the anatomy and goals of the patient. The nipple sensation and even lactation is mantained to a variable extent in many breast reduction cases. Usually the larger the reduction the less chances are to preserve these functions intact.
Dr. Cerqueiro practices also an innovative technique called Vertical Scar Breast Reduction, which was recently spread in Europe and USA. This technique eliminates the need for the horizontal scar that was always necessary at the fold under the breast. A free nipple graft technique, used very rarely, is performed when the amount of breast removed is exceedingly large, and the distance that the nipple must be repositioned is exceptionally long. This is usually reserved for older patients. This procedure has the advantage of being much shorter, and the disadvantage of producing a nipple that is practically totally devoid of sensation.
The breast reduction operation is always performed under general anesthesia. Our anaesthetists are highly trained, hospital based specialists with expertise in anesthesia for plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Although the operation is lengthy, the convalescence is quite limited. Patients are able to return to work in about one week, and resume normal activities in about three weeks after breast reduction. A well fitted bra (no underwire) should be worn after the operation for 6 weeks.
Complications are rare following reduction mammoplasty. However, scars may be minimal or noticeable, but certainly are present. From there the importance of adjusting the technique for each patient. Nipple sensation may also be diminished, and there may be healing problems. Dr. Cerqueiro will discuss all potential complications with you concerning this operation.
Most of the potential complications after this operation are related to cigarette smoke. If you are a smoker, you should stop for at least one month prior to surgery. Thanks to this post-operation healing rarely gives problems. Nicotine patches are not a substitute, and do not significantly diminish the risk of complication.
