Breast Reduction

The breast reduction procedure is designed to reduce the size of the breast and to reshape and lift it, to enhance its beauty. An overly large breast is called macromastia and this condition can affect your self esteem, your physical condition, and your comfort. The size and the shape of the large breast both play a role.

Ptosis | tõsis | Sagging of the breast

Ptosis by definition means sagging. Sagging is a relative term because it implies that something is sagging relative to something else. For the breast, the Plastic Surgeon uses the inframammary fold (the fold under the breast) as the reference point. There may be ptosis of the nipple and and the breast tissue, or there may be ptosis of the breast tissue alone. How we approach the issue depends upon the extent and the degree of ptosis and the anatomical architecture associated with the breast. Most patients who seek medical attention because of overly large breasts have second degree or third degree ptosis. This is where the nipple sits substantially below the inframammary fold or it sits below the fold and points downwards.

Examples of Ptosis and Macromastia

Physical Effects of Macromastia

Overly large breasts can have a significantly negative effect on the body. Both the weight of the breast and the shape of the breast play a role. Most commonly, patients with macromastia will complain of chronic neck pain, tension headaches, back pain, discomfort wearing a bra, having to constantly readjust their bra, strap marks from their bra, and irritation in the skin under their breasts. Some patients may even complain of tingling or numbness in their fingers. Typically, the excessive weight of the breast and the length of the breast (known as the moment arm in physics) can affect the dynamic relationship of the skeleton, muscles and nerves in the entire shoulder girdle and neck region.

Reducing the volume and weight of the breast while simultaneously lifting and reshaping the breast can have a significant effect on the patients physical complaints. It will also dramatically transform the patients appearance. "I have literally seen patients whose chronic physical complaints of back and neck pain disappear within 24 hours of breast reduction surgery", says Dr. Schneider. "It is amazing to me that patients who have had complaints of upper back pain and neck pain for years can come into the office the day after surgery and these symptoms are gone. Breast reduction surgery will not eliminate all symptoms in all patients, but in many patients whose physical complaints are caused by the large size and shape of their breasts, the surgery has been helpful". To schedule a consultation for breast reduction in Ft Myers contact us at 239.690.6120

Surgery

At your consultation for breast reduction with Dr. Schneider, your history will be reviewed, you will be examined, and the options for surgery and a plan for going forward will be discussed. Depending upon the size of your breasts, your health, and your expectations, you may or may not be a candidate for the procedure. This will be discussed with you at the consultation. Many patients may even qualify for having the procedure covered by their health insurance.

There are many different types of techniques used for breast reduction. The technique that many Plastic Surgeons were trained on results in a reduction and lift of the breast leaving a scar around the areola, down the breast, and under the fold of the breast. Many patients call this the anchor incision.

Dr. Schneider prefers to use a procedure called the vertical mammoplasty that decreases the amount of scarring, eliminating the long scar under the fold of the breast. Though many surgeons find this more difficult, Dr. Schneider has had great success with the technique since 1994.

The procedure is performed as an outpatient. This means that the patient is able to go home from the operation on the same day of the surgery. Typically, if the procedure is covered by the patients insurance, the procedure will be performed at an outpatient surgery center or the hospital. If the procedure is not covered by insurance, it may be performed in our AAAHC certified operating room located at our office.

Breast reduction is performed with the patient having either an intravenous sedation or a general anesthetic. Once the patient is asleep, an anesthetic fluid that is typically used during liposuction, is injected into the breast. This fluid decreases bleeding and acts as an anesthetic for 12- 24 hours following the procedure so that the patient is comfortable. Liposuction is performed on certain areas of the breast and then incisions are created, the breast is lifted, and some breast tissue is removed. At the end of the procedure a small tube is placed called a drain that we remove in the office the next day. For most patients the procedure lasts about 2 hours. Following the operation the patient is fitted with a surgical bra and placed in the recovery unit until they are awake.

Most patients are able to return to work in 5-7 days. They are asked to wear a bra for several weeks to help support the healing breast tissues. Though the risks of the procedure are small, Dr. Schneider asks all breast reduction patients to refrain from tobacco for several weeks before and following the procedure to help the healing process and minimize complications.

Is breast reduction in Ft Myers right for you? Please contact our office to find out how the procedure can change how you look and feel.

View photographs of breast reduction.