Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reductions are procedures in which a surgeon removes part of a person’s breast tissue to decrease his or her cup size. While some breast reduction patients undergo this procedure because they suffer from back pain, others do it purely for cosmetic purposes. In fact, some of the most common reasons that people get breast reductions are to relieve neck and back pain, improve breathing problems and lift sagging breasts.
 
As a result, this procedure is not necessarily covered by your insurance, depending on your individual circumstances, as well as your insurance plan.
 
Contrary to the opinions of some, breast reduction surgery is a procedure that both men and women get. Although women are far more likely to be candidates for breast reduction surgery, men who suffer from gynecomastia (a condition that causes breast growth and, at times, milk production in men) are also commonly breast reduction patients. In recent years, male breast reduction has become more and more common.
 
In this section, we will discuss all aspects of breast reduction surgery. Our articles will outline the different types of breast reduction procedures, as well as the associated risks and recovery regimens.

Types of Breast Reduction Surgery

The two most common methods for performing breast reduction surgery are the "inferior pedicle technique" and the "vertical scar technique." Of these two procedures, the vertical scar technique leaves far less post-operative scarring because it uses smaller incisions that are less likely to spread over time.
 
While the exact method your surgeon selects will depend on your current versus desired breast size, both of these techniques allow for maximum retention of nipple sensitivity and lactating abilities.
 
However, the "free nipple graft technique" and the "liposuction only technique" are also both types of breast reduction surgery.

Breast Reduction Risks

Although breast reduction surgery is generally a safe, low risk procedure, as with any surgical procedure, some risks are involved. The most serious risks associated with breast reduction surgery are post-operative bleeding and infection. However, because surgeons closely monitor patients for about a week after the procedure, these side effects are typically caught early, treated and don’t pose a long-term health threat.
 
Other possible risks breast reduction patients face include loss of feeling in the nipples, uneven nipples and small sores around the nipples. Before undergoing this procedure, talk to your doctor about breast reduction risks.

Breast Reduction Recovery

While the initial recovery time for a breast reduction surgery takes about 10 days, full recovery that allows patients to return to their day-to-day lives will take about four to six weeks. Like other surgeries, breast reductions require patients to make both short and long term sacrifices. For example, patients will have to wear special surgical bras and gauze over their breasts for a few days after surgery.
 
In the long term, breast reduction patients will need to alter their lifestyle (i.e. through dietary changes and exercise) that will prevent them from gaining weight and increasing the size of their breasts to their pre-operative status. Consult your surgeon to find the right breast reduction recovery regimen for you.
Resources
 
Mayo Clinic (2007). Breast Reduction Surgery: Reducing Your Breast Size. Retrieved August 20, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction/WO00021.
 
PlasticSurgery4u (2007). Breast Reduction Mammaplasty. Retrieved August 20, 2007, from the PlasticSurgery4u Web site: http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/breast_red_
after.html.
 
Prplastic (n.d.). Results of Breast Reduction. Retrieved August 20, 2007, from the Prplastic Web site: http://www.prplastic.com/BreastReduction_results.htm.
 
SmartBreastReduction (2007). Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery. Retrieved August 20, 2007, from the SmartBreastReduction Web site: http://www.smartbreastreduction.com/recovery.html.