Breast Reduction: Sometimes bigger Isn’t better
Breast reduction is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of the breasts. While most often performed on women, the surgery is also performed on men to improve the appearance of enlarged male breasts, a common condition known as gynecomastia.
Most of the women that are good candidates for the surgery tend to have very large breasts that interfere with their lives. While the media has an obsession with large breasts, the reality of having them is actually very challenging for some women. Women with very large breasts may experience pain and discomfort wearing bras and find it difficult to find clothes that will fit them properly. Large breasts can also cause breathing problems during sleep and they often make it difficult to engage in certain types of exercises like jogging or riding bikes. Women may develop back and neck pain, shoulder strap indentations, and rashes under the breasts. Women with larger breasts also tend to receive a lot of unwanted attention regarding their breasts as people will make rude comments or stare at them. Overall, these issues cause some women to not only experience physical discomfort in their daily lives, but to also feel very self-conscious about their bodies which may lead to low self-esteem.
For men, the development of large, female-like breasts can be very distressing. In some cases this may be due to excess fatty tissue which can typically be improved with diet and exercise. In other cases, a condition known as gynecomastia is to blame in which the enlarged breast is due to excess glandular tissue. In these cases, breast reduction surgery can help.
The Breast Reduction Surgery
The breast reduction procedure starts with a small incision made around the nipple and then extending vertically downward and ending as a horizontal line in the breast crease. Working through this incision, the nipple and areola are placed higher on the breast and the size of the areola may also be reduced. Other techniques involving less extensive incisions may be an option for some patients. Most techniques allow the nipple to remain connected to the nerves, milk ducts, and blood vessels to allow for breastfeeding in the future.
For men, liposuction may be used to remove excess fatty tissue while excess glandular tissue and skin can be removed through inconspicuous incisions made at the edge of the areola or in the under arm area.
Who Should Consider Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction surgery is usually recommended for women that have large breasts and feel that they are beginning to interfere with their daily activities and cause a level of pain and discomfort. While not all women with large breasts feel a need to undergo breast reduction surgery, the ones that do tend to report feeling more confident and satisfied afterward. In fact, breast reduction has one of the highest levels of patient satisfaction among plastic surgery procedures. The surgery will make the breasts smaller, but it will also help woman feel more comfortable in general. Men who undergo breast reduction surgery also experience more physical and psychological comfort and higher self-esteem.
Dr. Ronald A. Lohner is a board certified plastic surgeon based in [primary_city], [primary_statefull]. He is also a member of the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Please contact Dr. Lohner at [primary_phone] to schedule an appointment.