Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty (sometimes spelled mammaplasty), is the surgery to reduce the size of the breasts to improve the life of the patient. Large, heavy breasts are often associated with severe back pain, shoulder grooving, neck pain, and rashes under the breasts. A woman may also feel self-conscious or embarrassed because of the disproportionate size of her breasts.

However, with Reduction Mammoplasty it is possible to create a more balanced, better-shaped breast and reduce strain on the body by removing fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts, making them smaller and lighter. Also, the size of the areola (i.e. the darker skin surrounding the nipple) can be reduced.

Candidate / Indication
When one has very large breasts, it is difficult to exercise, play sports, swim, fit into clothing, or even function on a daily basis without pain. Macromastia can have a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life; breast reduction can correct it and enhance her life.

Breast reduction surgery may be an option for you if you have backaches, neckaches or stasis ulcers (skin irritation or death of skin tissue due to pressure), if you have difficulty breathing, notice grooves in your shoulders from your bra straps, have numbness of any portion of the breasts and upper chest from the excessive weight, are displeased aesthetically, or dislike the general size of your breasts for any reason.

Many patients who seek breast reduction are either postpartum, overweight, have a predisposition for large, disproportionate breasts, or had sensitivity to oestrogen during development or pregnancy. Big breasts often run in the family, inherited from mother and grandmother. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) classifies breast reduction surgery as a reconstructive, rather than cosmetic, procedure because it is done to correct a physical or medical problem rather than strictly to improve appearance.

First and foremost, you must be in good health, with no active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and you must have realistic expectations of the outcome of your surgery. Your skin must have good elasticity so that it can bounce back to its former tightness postsurgery.

Procedure
Breast reduction surgery requires about 3 to 4 hours of operating time under general anaesthesia. The incision is shaped like a keyhole or inverted T, around the areola and sometimes within the breast crease. Using liposuction, fat is removed and glandular tissue is removed by surgical excision. Excess skin is also removed to reshape and tone the breasts. The result is reduction in the size and elevation of the breast for a more youthful appearance.

Result
The recovery time is approximately two weeks. Some aching, swelling, bruising and changes in skin sensation are normal during this time. Besides the prescribed medications to control discomfort, the patient would also be advised to wear a special surgical bra.