Dr. Kearney performs breast reduction to bring a woman’s breasts more in proportion with her figure.
What reasons would cause a woman to want reduction?
Overly large breasts can be difficult to deal with for a variety of reasons. The weight alone can cause back and neck pain, even leading to a hunched posture. Overly large natural breasts can cause nerve compression and issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Bra straps dig into the skin. The breasts can keep a woman from participating in certain types of exercise. And the undue attention they attract can make a woman avoid social situations.
What is breast reduction?
Reduction surgery is known clinically as reduction mammaplasty. In the procedure, Dr. Kearney removes excess skin, fat, and tissue from the breasts. The goal is to make the breasts more proportionate to the rest of the figure and to eliminate any discomfort they cause.
How is the procedure done?
In most cases, Dr. Kearney needs to use the “anchor” incision with reduction surgery. This incision circles the nipple-areolar complex, drops down vertically from the nipple to the crease at the bottom of the breast, and then extends horizontally along the bottom of the breast. This incision is necessary to access the amount of tissue needed. Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are then removed. If the nipples are very large, Dr. Kearney will usually reduce their size and then move them upward to match the smaller, higher breasts. He may include liposuction if the breasts have a good deal of fatty tissue.
What is recovery like?
This isn’t the easiest recovery, due to the sizable incisions required. Still, most patients are so relieved to be rid of their large, heavy breasts that they’re fine with any recovery difficulty.
After reduction surgery, the patient will wear a surgical bra to decrease swelling and support the breasts. This is a very important part of recovery, as the surgical bra reduces any stress on the sutures. After the initial week, a support bra will need to be worn 24 hours a day for at least one month. Most patients can return to work in five days and resume most activities within one month. Strenuous exercise, particularly jogging or aerobics will probably need to wait six weeks. As with all procedures, Dr. Kearney will discuss your particular recovery with you in detail.
If you feel that you’ve had enough with your heavy, overly large, natural breasts, please call Dr. Kearney at (858) 677-9352 and schedule a consultation for breast reduction surgery.
