If you’re a woman who desires smaller breast, you’re not alone. There have been more than 112,000 breast reduction surgeries performed in the United States since 2012, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). So while the trend may be to go up in breast size, having larger breast does not seem to appeal to all women. In this article, we will take a closer look at what breast reduction surgery entails and why more women are undergoing these procedures.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?
When it comes to breast reduction surgery, there are a variety of reasons why women choose to undergo the procedure. Some of the most common ones include
- Relieve chronic back pain
- To improve mobility
- Relief from nerve pain
- To boost self-confidence
- Fit comfortably into their clothes
While there are several benefits associated with breast reduction surgery, it is worth noting that the procedure may not be a good fit for all women, especially those who smoke and those who are either overweight or obese. Similarly, breast reduction is not recommended for women with serious health problems like diabetes or heart disease, for example. The same applies to women who want to avoid visible scarring on their breast as this is considered par for the course when it comes to breast reduction surgeries.
WHAT DOES BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY ENTAIL?
Now that we have a basic understanding of why some women would want to reduce the size of their breast, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect as you undergo breast reduction surgery. During your procedure, the surgeon will begin by making an incision around the areola, the ring of pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. Next, the surgeon will carefully extend the incision down each breast before using liposuction to remove excess fat tissue, which, in turn, reduces the overall size of the breasts. If you’re concerned about pain, you needn’t worry as the procedure, which can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to complete, is performed while patients are under general anesthesia.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY
One of the most common complications that stem from breast reduction surgery involves the nipple. In addition to reducing the overall size, the breast is usually reshaped during surgery. In some cases, it may be necessary for the surgeon to remove the nipple and the areola and move both to a higher location on the breast, which will require the use of skin grafts. As far as the healing time is concerned, it usually takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to fully heal after undergoing breast reduction surgery. To help speed up healing time, your surgeon may recommend the following:
- Avoiding strenuous activities
- Getting plenty of rest
- Avoiding bras that contain an underwire
In summation, breast reduction surgery can be a godsend to women struggling with disproportionately large breast that can cause back pain and other problems. That said, if you’re considering breast reduction surgery, you’re encouraged to do your due diligence to ensure that the procedure is right for you.
