Overly large breasts can cause some women to have both health and emotional problems. In addition to self image issues, you may also experience physical pain and discomfort.

The weight of excess breast tissue can impair your ability to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often associated with having large pendulous breasts is as important an issue to many women as the physical discomfort and pain.

Also known as reduction mammaplasty, this procedure removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

Is it right for me?

Breast reduction is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Breast reduction is a good option for you if:

		You are physically healthy
		You have realistic expectations
		You don’t smoke
		You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
		Your breasts limit your physical activity
		You experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
		You have regular indentations from bra straps that support heavy, pendulous breasts
		You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
		Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
		Your nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
		You have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin

The success and safety of your breast reduction procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. Dr. Vartany will ask you a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome

		Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
		Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
		Previous surgeries
		Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Dr. Vartany will also:

Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors   Examine your breasts, and will take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas   Take photographs for your medical record   Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment   Discuss likely outcomes of breast reduction and any risks or potential complications   Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast reduction

Preparing for surgery

Special instructions you receive will cover:

		What to do on the day of surgery
		Post-operative care and follow-up

Dr. Vartany will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast reduction surgery may be performed in an outpatient surgical center or a hospital.

Procedural Steps:

What happens during breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction is usually performed through incisions on your breasts with surgical removal of the excess fat, glandular tissue and skin.

In some cases, excess fat may be removed through liposuction in conjunction with the excision techniques described below. If breast size is largely due to fatty tissue and excess skin is not a factor, liposuction alone may be used for breast reduction.

Step 1 - Anesthesia

You will have general anesthesia for your surgery which will be administered by a Board Certified anesthesiologist.

Step 2 – The incisions

Incision options include:

		A circular pattern around the areola
	The incision lines that remain are visible and permanent scars, although usually well concealed beneath a swimsuit or bra.
		A keyhole or racquet-shaped pattern with an incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease
		An inverted T or anchor-shaped incision pattern

Step 3 –Removing tissue and repositioning

After the incision is made, the nipple-which remains tethered to its original blood and nerve supply-is then repositioned. The areola is reduced by excising skin at the perimeter, if necessary.

Step 4 - Closing the incisions

The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts.  Absorbable sutures are used to close the skin. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

The results of your breast reduction surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover.

The decision to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

The risks include:

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats call Dr. Vartany immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.