Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction San Diego
Reduction in size of breasts that are too large, heavy, and cumbersome (reduction mammaplasty) is a commonly performed plastic surgery procedure. Breast reduction is the most effective treatment for back, neck, shoulder pain, shoulder skin grooving, rashes beneath the breasts, and other problems associated with disproportionately large breasts. Bra straps tightened by heavy breasts dig painfully into the shoulders, and pull the shoulders constantly forward. This hour after hour day after day pulling causes slouched posture and severe musculoskeletal aching. Back muscles go into painful tight spasm from trying without success to resist the forward and downward burden of overweight, low hanging breasts. Frequent headaches related to muscle strain occur. Analgesics (pain medicine), massage, physical therapy, chiropractic, accupuncture, and other non-surgical attempts provide only temporary respite. Consider Consultation for Reduction Mammaplasty. Most women who present for breast reduction have endured years of discomfort, and after the procedure experience relief quickly.
Although the goals of breast reduction include pain relief and more beautiful, lifted, proportionate breasts, the procedure is most often reconstructive (NOT cosmetic surgery). As such, payment for the operation is included as a benefit of many health plans.
Breast Reduction patients are some of the happiest, because we relieve pain, restore proportionality with a nice shape, and they become more active, doing things they were unable to do before…
Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast Reduction Markings
Several popular techniques for breast reduction surgery all accomplish the same general goals: Diminished mass (size and weight) of breasts and lifting of the breasts on the chest wall. This is accomplished by removal of glandular breast tissue and reduction of skin surface area on the breast. Markings for the operation are designed on breast skin in the standing position before surgery. These guide removal of breast skin, but adjustments can be made during surgery depending on the developing result. The procedure is accomplished under general anesthesia. After removing the epidermal layer of marked skin, the breast gland is entered. A portion of extra breast gland is sent to pathology for examination. This is weighed to determine the amount of breast that has been removed so right and left sides may be compared. Remaining breast tissue must contain sufficient blood vessels to assure nipple-areola viability (circulation), nerves to the nipple to maintain sensation, and ducts to the nipple for future breast feeding if this is a possibility. After adequate skin and volume are removed, usually in a sitting position, Dr. Laverson “tailor tacks” the breast together with surgical staples to approximate, adjust, and refine the final breast size, shape, and scar location. Once a satisfactory outcome is achieved, this is marked, and the fixation staples are replaced with internal absorbable sutures that secure a durable and aesthetic closure. Identical procedures are performed on both sides, or, if pre-surgical asymmetry existed, differential reductions are performed to improve symmetry based on pre-surgical planning, intra-operative progress, and comparative weights of right and left tissue removal (proportionately more breast tissue from the larger side is excised. At the conclusion of breast reduction, the result is compared in the sitting position, adjustments are made if indicated, and a post-surgical support bra is applied over padded bandages. Anesthesia personnel awaken the patient, and stay in recovery room is usually one to two hours.
See Dr. Laverson’s breast reduction results HERE
See a brief video explaining the breast reduction procedure HERE