Secondary breast reduction

Macromastia or disproportionately enlarged breasts in females is not an uncommon condition. Treatment is often sought for physical and mental effects of this condition. Symptoms due to the heavy breasts include shoulder and neck pain, grooving of the skin due to garments and, maceration of the skin under the breast folds. Patients are often embarrassed due to this condition and find difficulty in getting suitable clothes.

Reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction surgery) is a very effective procedure to address macromastia. It helps patients to achieve a reduction in the size of the breasts as well as an improvement in the appearance of the breasts. It also allows us to tackle mild breast asymmetries and help position the nipple and areola to a more aesthetic position. When the procedure is carried out in a patient previously operated for macromastia, it is known as secondary reduction mammaplasty.

The following may be some of the reasons to carry out a secondary breast reduction surgery. Patients sometimes report that the breasts have increased in size after the first surgery and desire a further reduction in the size of breasts. They may be bothered about the scars associated with the previous surgery. In certain situations, patients may want to improve the position of the nipple in relation to the rest of the breast.

The decision to explore a secondary breast reduction procedure is taken after careful discussions with the patient. Some of the important points factored into the decision making include, the time elapsed after the first surgery, the type of reduction carried out previously, scarring tendency of the individual, etc. The procedure is usually carried out as a short stay procedure in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. Post-procedure patients have to comply with the use of pressure garment and care of the breasts. In cases of secondary correction, patients are usually very familiar with the process of recovery.

Breasts are an important part of the body image of a woman. Disproportionately large breasts result in significant morbidity among some of the affected individuals. Reduction mammaplasty is a powerful technique to help those affected by this condition.

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