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Breast Reduction
Large breasts are not just a fact of life for some women. They can negatively affect self-esteem, health and overall quality of life. Breast reduction was the fifth most frequent cosmetic procedure performed in the United States and is covered by insurance in most cases. Breast reduction surgery is geared toward women with large, pendulous breasts, since the weight of their breasts may cause neck, back, shoulder, circulation, and/or breathing problems.
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Women living with large breasts can have the following problems:
Breast reduction surgery can be life-changing to the women who have had to endure years of excessive weight and sag from their oversized breasts. This surgery’s benefits are typically performed to create a more proportional size with your overall body shape. Breast reduction can help alleviate problems with activities, health and clothing – and give the patient a new lease on life with an overall new body image. By changing the shape and firmness of the breast the Plastic Surgeons are able to create a much more aesthetic appeal.
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A breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is more than removing excess tissue and fat. The breast itself needs to be sculpted into a smaller shape, and this can only be done through an incisions on the breast. Breast Reduction was in the top five reconstructive surgical procedures done in 2007, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The surgery itself may take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the case with the amount of ptosis (sag), mass, etc. Plastic Surgeons will agree that with breast reduction the most important goal of surgery is to have as few scars as possible, it is not however the single most important factor. Using a minimal scar on the wrong candidate can result in inadequate reduction or poor shape.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BREAST REDUCTION
There are many benefits of having breast reduction surgery with women who have had oversized breasts:
As with every surgical procedure, there are going to be some risks or disadvantages to having the procedure done.
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Incision placement may include all or any combination of these incisions:
Breast fat and glandular tissue are removed through these incisions – and most likely the areola might be repositioned. The areola remains attached to the nerve and blood supply – also known as a pedicle flap, and entire breast is reshaped. The overall breast skin is reduced and the size of the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) will likely be smaller to match the shape, position and proportion of the new breast. The position of the nipple is usually in a vertical level position with the crease on the underside of the breast. In some cases if the breasts are not that overly large, liposuction may be used as part of breast reduction to remove fat in and around the breast. Using the method of liposuction doesn’t leave the scars that some of the other techniques might.
2010 Copyright © ADAM, Inc. - Used with permission
More Links on Breast Reduction
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