Mammoplasty
Sometimes the breasts are too voluptuous and cumbersome, which makes common tasks more difficult than they need to be. It can also cause chronic shoulder, neck and back pain. Over-developed breasts may make some women appear out of shape and overweight or limit their participation in certain activities and exercises. This often results in embarrassment or self-consciousness.
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described above, a breast reduction procedure may help you tremendously.
Reduction of Mammoplasty can improve the appearance of the breasts. A reduction can also relieve the physical symptoms related to large, heavy, pendulous breasts.
This operation will cause the scarring on the lower part of the breasts. The long term results of the operation are unknown for each patient, due to many factors unrelated to surgery. These factors include normal slackening of tissues, pregnancy, use of birth control pills, breast feeding and weight changes. This operation allows the patient to feel better about her figure, acquire properly fitting clothing more easily, and feel more comfortable while participating in physical activity.
This type of surgery has been practiced for more than 40 years. Better results are now achieved due to new surgical techniques. Reductions are carried out to relieve back, shoulder, and neck pain, skin irritation, problems with clothing, and improve appearance, which are all common in women with large, pendulous breasts.
Women are not the only ones who suffer from this condition. The enlargement of the male breast tissue, also known as gynecomastia, can be an equivalent source of discomfort and embarrassment. For men, the breast reduction procedure is often performed using liposuction.
The dangers of breast cancer are no greater after this type of breast surgery, and it is very important that patients continue to self-examine their breasts after the operation.
Recovery
Position
For at least the first week after surgery, try to sleep on your back instead of your side. Two pillows should be used for elevation and supporting the head and back will help to minimize swelling. However, it is more important for you to sleep than to rigidly adhere to this suggestion.
Dressings
At the time of surgery, gauze dressings and an Ace wrap will be placed around the chest over a surgical bra. The Ace wrap will be removed in 1-2 days after surgery. You may shower if you do not have drains. You should wear your surgical bra day and night for 2-3 weeks after surgery, which does not include laundering and showering.
Drains
One drain may be placed in each breast at the time of surgery, and it will be brought out through the end of the incision under the arm. These drains empty the fluid that accumulates after surgery and enable you to heal faster. When the drain is first put in place, the bulb at the end of each tube will be compressed to create gentle suction. As the fluid collects in the bulb, the bulb will slowly expand.
Drain care
Secure the bulb of the drain to your dressings with a safety pin. Twice a day or whenever the bulb is three-quarter full, you should empty the bulb by opening the plug at the top and pouring out the contents. Do not try to remove the bulb from the tubing. Squeeze the bulb to recompress it, and put the plug back into the hole at the top in order to maintain the vacuum. A doctor or a nurse will remove the drains 4-5 days after surgery, when the fluid begins to turn a clear straw color and/or the amount of drainage has diminished. Write down the amount of drainage and bring this information to your office visits.
Sutures
You may have steristrips or specialized tapes over incisions. Do not remove these closures until instructed to do so. If you have skin sutures, the sutures around the areola will be removed 5-7 days after surgery. The remaining sutures below the skin will dissolve in 4-6 weeks.
Exposure to sunlight
Scars take at least 1 year to fade entirely. During this time, it is better to protect them from the sun. A good deal of sunlight can reach the skin and cause damage, even through a bathing suit. It is very important that you wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 at all times when you are out in the sun. Be extremely careful if areas of your breast skin have decreased sensitivity.
Showering
You may shower or bathe after the first post-operative visit.
Healing of sensory nerves
Tingling, burning, or shooting pains, which will disappear with time and should not alarm you, are signs of regeneration of the sensory nerves. If these sensations cause pain, then repeated and local self-massage can help.
Asymmetry
The two breasts typically have different healing patterns. One breast may swell more, feel more uncomfortable, or have a different initial shape. After complete healing, they will look remarkably similar and natural. Patience is needed, but if this causes concern, feel free to ask a doctor or someone on the nursing staff.
Activities
Any type of demanding activity can induce swelling and bleeding, especially during the first 2 weeks after surgery. Therefore, limit your exercise to walking during the first month. In general, let your discomfort dictate what kind of activities you should do. If an activity causes too much pain and discomfort, you should stop doing it. If your job keeps you rather sedentary, you may return to work in 7-10 days if you feel up for it. Exhaustion is common so you may want to limit your hours the first few days back at work. If the swelling or discomfort increases, you should scale back on your activities because you have probably done too much too soon. One month after surgery, you can begin to ease back into your normal exercise routine. Remember, do not go too hard too quickly.