Scarless Breast Reduction
Scarless Breast Reduction surgery has become a cosmetic surgery option that is available for women who either want or need to reduce the size and weight of their breasts. The surgery basically consists of using liposuction to reshape and sculpt a woman’s breast tissue with very minimal scar tissue that is almost non-existent. The advantages of this surgery are many and if you are considering breast reduction surgery then you may want to consider this procedure.
How Scarless Breast Reduction is Performed
The procedure is reasonably straightforward but like with most breast related surgeries, the skill and quality of your surgeon can and will dramatically effect the outcome and your satisfaction with the results following surgery. The basic procedure involves going under general anesthesia and then the surgeon will make a tiny incision in the fold of the breast through which he will insert the sculpting wand called a cannula.
The cannula is the method by which the surgeon will suck the fatty tissue out of the breast and reshape and shrink the breasts to the desired size and shape. The size of the cannula and the skill of your surgeon will play a large role in the outcome and success of this type of surgery. The surgeon will suck the fat tissue out of the breast area and use the cannula to shape and reform the breast in order to produce as good of a result as possible.
Scarless Breast Reduction Recovery
After the surgery is over then you will head into the recovery room to come out of the effects of anesthesia. In most cases you will be up and around on the same day and might even be able to go home the same day of your surgery. You will have specific instructions for your recovery given to you by your doctor but you can expect moderate to strong pain but nothing that prescription pain relievers cannot alleviate.
Bruising and discoloration will be a part of the healing process and you can expect to suffer from these types of effects for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. You will most likely be able to get back to work within just a few days but this will depend on your job duties and how your body responds to surgery. Everyone reacts differently and your surgeon will provide very specific direction on this subject.
Advantages of Scarless Breast Reduction
The advantages should be kind of obvious just from the name but in case you don’t know what is involved with a typical breast reduction surgery then it involves nearly 12 inches of incisions on the average woman. 12 inches of scar tissue can be a lot for any woman to bear and some younger women do not want to face this scar tissue for the rest of their life and during their younger more active years.
Scarless breast reduction will have two incisions but they are tiny and well hidden and will most likely be almost invisible once they are healed properly. Another advantage is that a skilled surgeon can reshape the breast to make for a more attractive package than what you had before. Instead of just being a smaller version of what you had before, your doctor can reshape and sculpt your breasts to a more attractive shape, to a point of course.
A major benefit of scarless breast reduction is also that your nipples are virtually untouched which minimizes the risk that you will not be able to breast feed if you still have child bearing years ahead of you. This is a MAJOR benefit to some women while others don’t care. Either group can also appreciate that you are unlikely to suffer the same loss of sensation that many women report from traditional breast reduction surgery.
The last benefit that we would consider is the cost of scarless breast reduction surgery. This procedure is more economical than the traditional surgery simply because it is a less invasive and less involved procedure. You will have to check with your surgeon for your own costs on it as it varies wildly from area of the country to area of the country and you really will only get an accurate cost from your own surgeon. Make sure you ask him or her for an all inclusive price as many times you will get his quote only but not the anesthesiologist, the medical center, the nurses, the x-ray techs etc.
Are You a Candidate for Scarless Breast Reduction Surgery
The best candidates for this type of surgery are women who are well educated on what they can expect from the surgery. What kind of results are typical, what is possible and what is not and that have a lot of confidence in the quality of their surgeon because they have done their research and have located a good one.
The surgery itself doesn’t really require any special precautions that most traditional surgeries wouldn’t either and of course you will have to be cleared for the surgery by your doctor. It is rare that insurance will pay for this type of procedure unless deemed medically necessary but again, this will depend on your individual circumstances and the quality of your insurance plan. Your doctor can help you with this process as well.
You will probably be told to take a week away from work just in case but many women report being up and getting around nicely in just 3 days give or take. We would plan on the full week and then if you can get around early so be it but at least you won’t be stuck going back to work before you are ready.
Breast Reduction Risks
If you are considering reduction surgery then you no doubt will have questions concerning breast reduction risks and that is perfectly normal. The best kind of patient is an educated patient and you are wise to do your research before you visit your doctor so you can discuss some of your concerns rather than be spoon fed whatever he or she wants to tell you. This article will discuss some of the more common breast reduction surgery risks but we encourage you to speak to your doctor about any and all concerns you might have.
Breast Reduction Surgery Risks
One of the main drawbacks to having any type of cosmetic surgery to remove extra skin is that is leaves scars. One good thing about having breast reduction surgery is that the scars can be hidden by wearing a bra. The scars that are left are located around the nipple area and along the crease underneath the breast. It can take years, but the scars do fade after surgery. There are some techniques on the market to help eliminate the scar underneath the breast, but many of these are in the stages of development. Many women can accept the scars given the new quality of life they feel when they have this surgery.
Another drawback is numbness. Numbness in the breast is uncommon, but it can still occur. It is more likely that the sensation in your nipples will be better because the nerves that go to your nipples will no longer be stretched out because of the weight of the breasts.
Nipple loss can also occur which is very tragic. This can happen because either one or both nipples will lose the blood circulation and die. If this happens there will then be an open wound which will require care. Eventually the wound will close on its own, or you may have to have surgery to close it. The nipple can then be recreated either with your own skin, or by tattooing on a nipple. The loss of a nipple is most likely to occur in women who smoke, but it can occur in anybody. If you are a smoker, you should quit at least two weeks before you have your operation to reduce your risk of losing a nipple.
Bleeding, infection, asymmetry, fluid collections and healing problems could allow happen after your surgery. If you’re a healthy young person then your risk of this happening is reduced. However, the procedure of having a breast reduction requires that the circulation to the breast is compromised which could cause healing problems. This happens because circulation is needed the most when the tissues are healing after surgery.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your final cup size can’t be guaranteed. This is because cup size in not standardized. Before you decide to have a breast reduction surgery you should have a detailed talk with your surgeon to let him or her know what your desired cup size is. Explaining what you want your cup size to be in comparison to your current cup size is often very helpful.
Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery
After your surgery your breast will be wrapped up in gauze, with a tighter bandage for added support and protection. You could have small tubes that are coming out of the incisions to help get rid of any extra fluid. You will also be prescribed medication and it is very important that you take them as your doctor tells you to do so. You will require somebody to drive you home, and you may even need help around the house for about three days. It is okay to apply a moisturizer if you have dry skin, but you will need to make sure you keep your suture area dry.
After about two days your bandages will be taken off, and you will continue to wear a surgical bra for several weeks. You will need to wear this bra all the time, until the swelling and the bruises go away. Your stitches will be removed in about two weeks.
You can resume light activities around the house, but you may be instructed to avoid sex. This is because sexual arousal could cause your incisions to swell up. Heavy activity should be avoided for about six weeks. This is to make sure your scars heal properly. Some women have reporting having shooting pains during menstruation for a few months after they have surgery. You can also expect to have some numbness which is caused by the swelling. This normally goes away after the first week, but it can sometimes last for up to a year.
The long term results for most women are good. They have no chronic pain or discomfort, their bodies are proportioned better and their clothes fit properly. Future breastfeeding may not be possible because a lot of the milk ducts are removed during the surgery.
Your breast will remain smaller for a longer period of time if you had not had the surgery. However, gravity does still do its job and your breast will sag again. The size of your breast can also change over time due to weight loss or gain, or if you take hormones or become pregnant.
Breast Reduction Scars
If you are considering breast reduction surgery then there is no question that you likely have some concerns around breast reduction scars. This is an issue that has merit because unfortunately, this type of cosmetic surgery is one that will leave the most scar tissue behind as it is a very involved surgery. That’s the bad news, the good news is that this surgery is still one that offers one of the highest level of patient satisfaction of any of them.
Breast Reduction Scar Tissue
Breast reduction scars are permanent and will never completely go away but if they heal properly then they will fade over time from a bright pink scar to a thin white line over time. A quality surgeon will be able place the breast reduction incisions in a location that will still allow the patient to wear swim suits and about any reasonable top.
The type of surgery that you choose can greatly impact the level of scar tissue that you will encounter. Traditional breast reduction surgery employs an incision that resembles an anchor starting under the breast and it extends up around the nipple. This type of surgery usually typically produces the most extensive scar tissue of any of the techniques that are available.
Vertical incision breast reductions use an incision that is made vertically from the breast fold up and around the nipple and eliminates the horizontal incision across the breast fold that the traditional technique uses. And finally in a few cases, it is possible that a breast reduction surgery can be completed using liposuction. This is sometimes referred to as a scarless breast reduction as it only requires a tiny incision that will be barely noticeable once healed.
Breast Reduction Scar Issues
The quality of your surgeon and the post surgery care along with your genetics will greatly impact the level of breast reduction scars that you face post surgery. You should know that genetics as well as your own personal habits can make a big difference as for some women, especially the smokers, may encounter breast reduction scars that actually grow wider after a time.
It is important that you follow all of the post surgery instructions that your doctor recommends and monitor your incisions carefully for any issues. If any unexpected situations arise then you should contact your surgeon immediately. Any sign of infection including discharge, high temperature or a fever should be considered a situation that needs to be addressed immediately. If you take care of your incisions then this can dramatically help reduce the appearance of breast reduction scars and will definitely shorten your recovery time as well.
Breast Reduction Scar Care
Following your breast reduction surgery, your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on your post op care. In addition to routine checkups at his or her office, you will be required to take an active part in your own recovery. Don’t be too terrible concerned though as the post op care is really quite basic and would be considered good practice following any type of surgery.
You will have sutured incisions all around your breast that are delicate in the first few days following surgery. It’s important that you follow the directions given to you by your doctor. In most cases you will have surgical tape and steri-strips covering your incisions following surgery. You need to keep these clean and dry until your doctor instructs you that you can remove them. In some cases, you will leave these dressings on until the stitches come out, while in others you may have to replace the bandages a few times.
It is important that you keep the area clean and dry and if you encounter any sign of fever or infection then you need to get to the doctor immediately. If you sutures split or tear then you will dramatically increase the chance of scar tissue forming and getting worse than it would otherwise.
Some doctors will recommend that you employ silicone scar treatment pads once your wounds have healed and there is little danger of splitting the incision. These silicon pads have a decent track record of reducing and minimizing the scar tissue. Consult your doctor to get their opinions on the subject.
Breast Reduction Complications
Any surgery that you undertake is going to have it’s share of complications and risks and breast reduction surgery is no different so you should know what Breast Reduction complications you may face. As with any surgery we would definitely recommend that you consult your surgeon to get your questions answered and discuss any concerns with breast reduction surgery complications that you may still have after you do your own research.
Breast Reduction Surgery Anesthesia
One of the most daunting challenges of any surgery is the anesthesia. Some people have experienced allergic reactions to anesthesia so be on the lookout for difficult breathing, rashes, heart rate changes, skin hives, shortness of breath, anxiety, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting or similar symptoms. This reaction will generally take place at the hospital so you should be in good hands but symptoms may arise even after you have been released so be aware of any of these symptoms and report them to your doctor immediately.
Sensitivity Changes
Many women who undergo breast reduction surgery report a change of sensation level in their nipples. It can work both ways though as some women report decreased sensitivity while others report an increase in sensitivity. Some women have reported numbness in the nipple or breast area post surgery as well. These symptoms are often temporary as the nerves that were severed during surgery heal. While these symptoms may be temporary and fairly common, you should always report them to your surgeon immediately.
Breast Reduction Scars
Breast Reduction scars are a very real possibility following surgery and you should be aware of what you are facing on this issue. In most cases, the scars will heal nicely and fade over time but there are things you can do to help the situation and there are other complications that you may face as well.
Your doctor will likely prescribe you a regimen of Steri-Strips and we recommend that you follow the post surgery recovery regimen exactly. The key to proper recovery and the best experience is to be a good patient and follow the directions. This can often reduce the amount of breast reduction complications that you may experience following your surgery.
Wound Healing
It is very important that you follow the directions post surgery to avoid any issues with your stitches opening up and the incisions that were made tearing open. This can set your recovery time back dramatically and will greatly increase the likelihood that you will have issues with scar tissue or scars that will not fade.
Your doctor will direct you on proper incision care and will likely direct you to leave Steri-strips on your incisions until you return on a follow up visit to have your sutures removed. If you do experience a tear in your wounds, keep the area as clean as possible and get to your doctor as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of your wound then you may have to undergo surgery again or you may simply have to be stitched up to continue healing.
Breast Symmetry
Many women report disappointment that their breasts are not perfectly symmetrical following surgery but you should know going into the surgery that there is a very real possibility that your breasts will not match exactly. The skill level of your surgeon will play a large part in your happiness here as the better they are then the more likely they will produce results that you are happy with. The best thing you can do to make sure this isn’t one of the breast reduction complications that you face, is to check for references. Review photographs of previous patients and see how they look after everything has settled in.
Breast Tissue Necrosis
It is possible that you will experience varying degrees of tissue necrosis. This happens when the fat around the incision area dies from lack of blood flow and becomes necrotic. This can spread throughout the breast if unchecked and if you experience anything like this then you need to report it to your surgeon immediately. Watch for tissue degradation, bruising and odd textures under the skin.
If you smoke or have a history of circulatory problems or diabetes then you face a higher risk than normal but you should know that this is very uncommon and is only experienced by a small percentage of women. Discuss this with your doctor if you have any of the aforementioned conditions.
Breast Reduction Surgery Infection
As with any surgery the risk of infection is very real and is not something to be dismissed. Symptoms will usually show up in the first few days after you are released from the hospital so you need to remain vigilant and watch for the symptoms. These can include fever, swelling, redness in the tissue, discharge around the suture and a very high temperature localized in the breast area.
You can reduce your chance of infection by making sure you take ALL of the antibiotics that your doctor prescribes for you and that you keep the wound area clean both before and after surgery. Prior to surgery you can help reduce the risk by washing your upper torso area and hands with anti-bacterial soap for a few days prior to surgery, this will reduce the chance of any staph bacteria that you may be carrying making it into the wound.
After surgery you simply need to follow the doctors directions which will typically be to keep the wounds clean and covered with steri-strips until they are fully healed.
Blood Clots
Another very real breast reduction complication that you might face is the formation of blood clots following surgery. Blood clots can form around wound areas and if they break off and go floating through your bloodstream into your heart or lungs then you can have a very serious issue on your hands. A blockage can send you into cardiac arrest or a coma, either of which can be very life threatening.
If you are prone to blood clots then discuss this with your surgeon and they can advise you more on the topic.
Breast Reduction Dissatisfaction
There is a very real possibility that you simply may not be happy with your breast reduction surgery. I don’t know if this would be considered a complication but many would consider it to be. The problem usually centers around an unrealistic expectation of what your breasts will look like following surgery.
The surgery can make a dramatic difference in appearance and your overall health and the way you feel but it’s not a miracle surgery and it has limits. In many cases you may find that you don’t like the shape or size following surgery and it’s not uncommon to see many breast reduction patients subsequently undergoing breast implant surgery to change the shape or size.
Most patients undergoing breast reduction surgery however, are ecstatic with the results and disappointment only seems to be an issue with a very small percentage of patients. Discuss what your expectations are in detail with your doctor before you undergo surgery. This will typically greatly improve the odds that you are satisfied with your breast reduction surgery.