A breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammaplasty, is a surgery that is used to reduce the size of your breasts so that they are more proportionate to the rest of your body and no longer cause physical discomfort. This procedure is able to both improve your appearance and relieve the physical and emotional pain associated with overly large breasts.
You might want to consider a breast reduction if:
- Your breasts are too large for your body frame, and cause strain on your back, shoulders and neck
- Your breasts are heavy and cause your nipples and areolas to point downwards
- Your large breasts are making you self-conscious and unhappy
Many women seek breast reductions after they have had children, if they are overweight or if they have a predisposition for disproportionately large breasts. Overly large breasts can not only cause neck, back and shoulder pain but can also cause difficulty breathing. Most women who choose to undergo this procedure have finished having children and breastfeeding because pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter breast shape and size. If you do chose to undergo a breast reduction before you have children you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
A variety of factors including the size and shape of your breasts, and how much of a reduction you desire will determine what technique is best for your reduction. In some cases it is possible to avoid the vertical incision that runs from the bottom of your areolas to the breast crease, or the horizontal incision under the breast. If your breasts are extremely large the nipples and areolas may have to be completely detached so they can be shifted to a higher position. This may lead to a loss in sensation in the nipple area and may also mean sacrificing the option of breast feeding should you have children after the procedure. For a small group of women -- who require minor to moderate reductions, have fatty breasts and do not need to correct sagging -- liposuction may be used on its own to perform the reduction. Good communication with your plastic surgeon is key to helping him or her determine which procedure is best for you based on the results you want to achieve.
Dr. Adil Ladak is a board certified plastic surgeon based in Edmonton Alberta. His specialties include facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring and skin treatments. Contact Dr. Ladak at 780.407.6691 to book your consultation.
