Reductive mastoplasty
What is reductive mastoplasty?Reductive mastoplasty, popularly known as breast volume reduction, is an operation of plastic/cosmetic surgery that allows the modification of the shape and the size of breasts that are too large and pendulous and to correct breast asymmetry, thus improving the appearance of the body and the sense of self-esteem.Who is this kind of operation indicated for?The operation of reductive mastoplasty is indicated for the women whose breasts, being too voluminous, may cause troubles such as:
Are there age limits to undergo reductive mastoplasty?There are no age limits to undergo this kind of surgery, but it is preferable to wait for the complete development of the breasts, which normally occurs approximatively at the legal age.What surgical interventions can be performed together with reductive mastoplasty?Reductive mastoplasty can be performed alone or in association with other surgical techniques (such as mastopexy) provided that they are not too heavy for the patient.What are the risks and the complications of this kind of operation?Reductive mastoplasty is a relatively complex surgical procedure which usually gives excellent results and is very rewarding both for the patient and for the surgeon who performs the operation.When this operation is performed by a specialist in plastic surgery, experienced in breast contouring and within qualified facilities, the results are usually very good. However, it is a real surgical procedure whose complications (bleeding, infection) are rare but may occur and can be easily resolved only if the intervention is performed by a specialist in plastic surgery and within duly qualified facilities. In order to reduce the risks of complications, it is anyhow essential to follow the advice and the instructions given by the surgeon carefully before and after the operation. Smokers should reduce the use of cigarettes because smoking may increase the risk of complications and slow down the recovery. What does the preoperative examination consists in?Reductive mastoplasty is a very customized kind of surgery that, as such, needs a meticulous specialist examination.During the first examination, the surgeon will assess the shape and the size of the breasts, of the areola and of the nipple, and show you the possible modifications in the shape and the volume that the very latest in surgery makes available for your situation. The surgeon will also assess your physical condition in order to exclude the presence of troubles (such as high blood pressure, clotting or healing disorders) which might affect the final result of the operation. Before the operation you will receive specific information about the preoperative and postoperative diet and the use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. At the end of the examination, the surgeon, in tune with you, will choose the size and the shape of the breasts and the positioning of the areola-nipple area. What kind of anaesthetic is given?Reductive mastoplasty is normally performed under general anaesthesia and one or two-day hospitalization.Small reductive mastoplasty can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation (which means that you will be awake but relaxed and insensitive to pain) and in outpatient care. Where are the incisions made?Depending on the extent of the reduction (small, medium, large), the incisions may be made only around the areola or extend vertically down to the submammary sulcus and along the lower fold of the breast (the so-called anchor-shaped or inverted T incision).Reductive mastoplasty will leave permanent scars which, however, will be hidden by the bra or the swimsuit.
How long is the operation?The reductive mastoplasty operation lasts from 1 hour and a half up to about three hours; it is absolutely painless and ends with a small dressing and the use of a bra.What happens during the post-operative period?During 48 hours following the operation of reductive mastoplasty you will have to rest up.During the first two days, swelling and ecchymoses may appear around the treated area. Bleeding, infection, keloidal scars and sensibility troubles in the areola and the nipple (especially among smokers) and difficulties in future breast-feeding may rarely occur. Starting from the third day, you will be able to resume your normal life, avoiding, nevertheless, tiring activities, saunas, sweat-baths and sunbathing. After 7-10 days, you will be able to resume work, provided that it is not excessively tiring. Three weeks after the intervention, you will gradually resume all your normal activities, including the sports activity. What kind of result can be achieved by reductive mastoplasty?The cosmetic result achievable by this operation is normally highly satisfactory and long-lasting but not permanent, in that it will be always influenced by your lifestyle (weight gain, weight loss, pregnancies, smoking, etc.) and by the inevitable effects of the ageing process and gravity.If you wish to take this subject further, we advise you to visit the mastoplasty and mastopexy FAQ page, where you will find the answers to the most frequent questions asked by the patients. |
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Chirurgia-plastica-estetica.it Prof. Mario Dini Chairman and Director of Plastic Surgery Dept. - University of Florence |
