A breast reduction for hypertrophy is a surgery which corrects the volume of the breasts of a patient whose breast is too big compared to the rest of the body. The procedure consists in reducing the volume of the breasts, correcting their sagging and, in some cases, a certain degree of asymmetry. It allows to obtain two harmonious breasts with respect to the anatomy of the patient and which correspond to her desire.
In brief : Breast reduction
- Indication: Desire to reduce the volume of breasts because of an aesthetic and / or functional impact.
- Result: Very significant. Natural in 1-3 months. Final between 6-12 months
- Anesthesia: General with laryngeal mask
- Pain: Between 2 and 3/10
- Scars: In the shape of "i" (periareolar and vertical between the areola and the submammary fold). In the form of an inverted "t" in case of significant associated ptosis (additional scar in the submammary fold).
- Hospitalization: Day Hospitalization
- Recovery: 5 to 15 days
- Resuming sport activities: Progressive after 2-3 weeks.
- Duration of the surgery: 90 min
What is breast hypertrophy?
Breast hypertrophy is defined by a volume of breasts too important compared to the morphology of the patient.
This excess of volume and therefore of weight alters the elasticity of the tissues, generally leading to a sagging of the breast (mammary ptosis). Breast hypertrophy may also be associated with some degree of asymmetry.
Breast hypertrophy sometimes involves a physical and functional consequences. Excess breast weight can cause pain in the back, neck and shoulders. The pain is sometimes aggravated by the hunched attitude that some patients take to hide their strong breasts. This phenomenon also implies discomfort in daily activities (to practice a sport, to dress).
Reimbursement of breast reduction by social security
The disorders that can cause a hypertrophy of the volume of the breasts can justify, under certain conditions, a reimbursement of the procedure by the social security and health insurances.
A reimbursement is possible in particular if the excess is greater than 300-400g (per side according to the body mass index of the patient) must be removed for each breast.
The principle of a breast reduction
The procedure involves the removal the excess glandular tissue in order to maintain a harmonious volume with the patient's anatomy. Residual glandular volume is ascended, concentrated and remodeled during the surgery. Then, the skin envelope is adapted to the new volume of the breast by removing the skin in excess so as to create the curve desired by the patient.
Scar
A breast reduction procedure necessarily involves a scar because a certain amount of skin is removed. In most cases, the scar is I-shaped with two components or T-shaped with three components :
- A periareolar scar: located around the areola, between the brown skin and the white skin. It is this scar that allows to go up and reduce the areola.
- A vertical scar: between the lower pole of the areola and the sub-mammary fold.
- A horizontal scar: hidden in the sub-mammary fold. The length of this scar depends on the importance of hypertrophy and the associated ptosis.
In most cases, Dr. Kron uses vertical incision techniques without a horizontal incision or, in the case of major hypertrophies, short horizontal incisions completely hidden under the sub-mammary fold.
Description of the procedure
After a checkup with the surgeon taking into account the medical history of the patients as well as mammograms, the procedure is performed under a general anesthesia lasting between 1 hour 15 and 1 hour 30 minutes.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is supplemented with long-term local anesthesia to limit the importance of general anesthesia and postoperative pain.
Hospitalization
Hospitalization is either performed on an outpatient basis (exit on the evening of the operation) or on a full day (leave the clinic the next day). Usually, Dr. Kron does not use drains.
Follow-up after breast reduction
The postoperative effects of a breast reduction are generally minors: pain is moderate and only requires moderate analgesics.
The days following the procedure
During the first few days following a breast reduction surgery, swelling and bruising of the breasts are frequently observed, as well as moderate discomfort to elevation of the arms. However, patients can take a shower the day after the procedure.
The sensitivity of the areola and the nipple is rarely disturbed at the end of the healing period (a few months).
Evolution of scars:
Scars can become pink and thicken after the fourth week following the procedure. This inflammatory reaction gradually fades out from the third month after the operation. The scars whiten on average in 7 months.
In some rare cases, massages using an anti-inflammatory cream may be prescribed. These massages help reduce the hypertrophy of scars, avoid the use of silicone dressings or infiltrations. They will overcome in most cases the most resistant hypertrophic scars.
Potential risks
The risk of necrosis is very scarce, but can be promoted by smoking.
Smoking increases the risk of surgical complications of any surgery. Stopping smoking 6-8 weeks before the procedure eliminates this additional risk. If you smoke, talk to your doctor, surgeon, and anesthesiologist, or call Tobacco-Info-Service at 3989 to help reduce risk and put the odds on your side.
Result of a breast reduction
The final result of a breast reduction intervention can be considered **final one year after the procedure.**
At the end of the intervention, Dr. Kron will make a waterproof bandage with microbes and water allowing you to shower every day and have no personal care or need a nurse. It does not prevent healing and gaseous exchange of the skin outwards, allowing a normal healing process of the scar (without maceration). This bandages will be changed painlessly in consultation with Dr. Kron himself between 4 and 8 days after the procedure.
In order to ensure a good healing evolution, the patients of Dr. CĂ©dric Kron are regularly monitored during the year following the intervention.
Before & After: Breast reduction
