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Large breasts can be a significant
problem. Their weight alone prevents many women
from doing the things they want to do. They cause
neck and back pain, rashes, and many medical problems.
They make it difficult or impossible to exercise.
For some women, they cause significant psychological
problems.
Breast reduction can be as much
cosmetic as reconstructive. Dr. Chartchai believes
the breast reduction should be done in as aesthetically
pleasing a way as possible. Using the "short scar"
breast reduction technique, which is more technically
demanding, he achieves sexier, feminine breasts,
with more projection and cleavage than a standard
breast reduction.
After a breast reduction, the
patient typically experiences tremendous relief.
Gone are the bra strap marks across the shoulders,
the rashes, and the burden of carrying around all
that extra weight. Your breathing and posture improve
and your clothes fit better. It is a tremendous
relief.
Some patients with large breasts
are overweight, and they should try to lose as much
weight as possible before surgery, not only because
losing weight is healthy but because it makes the
operation technically easier.
Procedure
There are several ways to perform a breast reduction.
In his practice in Bangkok, Dr. Chartchai performs
"short scar" breast
reduction whenever possible. This is somewhat more
technically difficult but has the huge advantage
of leaving a shorter scar and it also creates more
breast projection and cleavage.
A scar is inevitable. The scar
goes completely around the areola and then travels
down the breast to the level of the fold underneath
the breast. If your breasts are exceptionally large
another short scar within the fold may be necessary.
This is very unusual.
Recovery time
Post surgery, many patients experience some pain
for the first 3-4 days and soreness for the first
2 weeks. Breasts will be swollen and tight for 6-8
weeks. The body heals asymmetrically. One breast
may be swollen, hurt more and appear higher or lower
than the other. This is to be expected.
Swelling and bruising usually
clear up in 2-4 weeks. Pink scars will eventually
fade to an unnoticeable color. It may take up to
a year for the scar to fade to its minimal color.
Your nipples might become hyper
sensitive or lose sensation for the first 3 months.
This usually improves.
Some women with sedentary jobs
go back to work after 1 week. If your job, however,
requires aggressive arm movements it may take as
long as 4 weeks to return to work. Most women return
to work after 2 weeks.
You should not work out at all
or avoid lifting heavy objects for 3 weeks, and
do no upper body workout for at least 8 weeks.
The scar usually becomes quite
red the first 2 months after the operation but fades
within a year. A woman considering breast reduction
must be prepared to accept the scar as a trade off
for lighter, perkier, more attractive breasts. The
reality is these scars are not noticeable even when
wearing highly revealing clothes.
Possible complications
This procedure may create a significant scar that
fortunately, even with revealing clothes, is not
visible.
The most common complication after
breast reduction is asymmetry. Since breasts are
rarely identical naturally, a breast reduction,
in fact, often corrects asymmetry. It is unreasonable
to expect both breasts to be exactly identical.
Another potential complication
is inadequate reduction or over reduction. Some
women want to be as small as possible, but there
is a limit as to how small they can be made without
compromising blood supply and safety. Dr. Chartchai
has considerable experience in both cosmetic and
reconstructive breast surgery and will do all that
is possible to provide you with the size and shape
of breasts you desire.
After breast reduction, there
is likelihood that breast-feeding will be compromised.
Also possible is a decrease in or loss of sensation
to the nipple. Some sensation usually returns with
time.
Other complications that must
be considered, but are possible with any operation,
are the risks of infection, wound healing problems,
and fluid or blood collection.
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