Female and Male Breast Reduction
Little Rock, Arkansas
At the Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock, we offer breast reduction for both men (known as gynocomastia) and women (known as reduction mammoplasty). Male breast reduction is growing in popularity as more men realize that it’s available, and women who have heavy, large breasts are increasingly interested in breast reduction
The discomfort for women
Over-large breasts cause a variety of uncomfortable and even painful side effects:
- Back and neck pain
- Shoulder irritation from the bra strap pressure
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Poor posture
- Self-consciousness, especially in adolescents
- Restricted activity
While breast enlargement, or breasts lifts are performed for cosmetic reasons, breast reduction is done more for physical relief from these side effects.
Things to keep in mind
Breast reduction is a surgery, and not a particularly simple one. Like all surgeries, it brings certain risks and is only appropriate for certain people. You could be a good candidate if you:
- Don’t intend to breast feed – because the procedure will remove many milk ducts
- Understand that no surgical results can be predicted with 100% certainty
- Have fully developed breasts – i.e., you’re not still developing in adolescence
- Are willing to have scars – though they can be hidden by your swimsuit or bra
- Might possibly need follow-up surgery to rebuild the nipple and areola
- Are willing to follow your doctor’s recovery instructions carefully
Before the breast reduction surgery
Your breast surgeon will give you guidelines on how to prepare, such as what to eat and drink, and what to avoid. You could be asked to lose some weight before the procedure. You may be asked to have a mammogram. Do make arrangements for somebody to drive you home after the surgery, and perhaps to help you at home for a few days.
The procedure
You’ll be given a general anesthesia, which will keep you unconscious through the whole procedure, and require a recovery period before you go home afterwards.
- The incision will an anchor-shaped one – around the areola, down to the crease, and along the curve beneath the breast
- Your surgeon will remove excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue
- The nipple and areola will be moved to a higher position, usually still attached to their nerves and blood vessels
- Liposuction can be used to remove excess fat near the armpit
- The incision will be stitched closed, tightening the tissue into your new shape
Afterwards
You may have some pain for a few days and your breast surgeon will prescribe a pain medication. For a couple of days, you’ll wear elastic bandages and there may be a small drainage tube to release excess blood and fluids.
- For several weeks, you’ll need to wear a surgical bra for good support, until bruising and swelling subside
- The stitches will come out somewhere between one and three weeks after surgery
- Follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions, which will give you guidelines on what activities to void, when you can return to work, what unusual symptoms to watch for, when to resume sexual activity, etc.
You might want to set up your recovery space ahead of time, with extra pillows, library books, a stock of easy-to-prepare food, the TV program, etc. If your skin seems extra dry, use a moisturizer as often as you like, but be sure to keep the incision site dry.
Looking and feeling good!
What with swelling and bruising, hormonal shifts, and possible weight changes, it could be six to twelve months before your new shape is established. The scars will gradually fade and shrink, and in any case are located where you can easily cover them.
But before all that plays out, you’ll notice the immediate lightening of weight. Your clothes will fit better and your shape will have better proportions. Probably your self-image will jump sky-high! People will comment and perhaps question you about it all, so be patient with this whole process.
Male breast reduction
Enlarged breasts in men is fairly common, affecting about half the male population to some extent. Sometimes it affects just one breast. Mostly, the cause is unknown, although some drugs and medical conditions have been connected to it. The extra tissue can be either fat or glandular tissue, and this can be discovered in a mammogram. You can see where the muscle is by tensing the pectoral muscles.
The male procedure
Once the makeup of the breast tissue is established, your procedure can be designed. If the tissue is mostly fat, liposuction is effective. If there’s much glandular tissue, it must be removed through an incision below the areola. Puffy nipples can be flattened.
Most gynecomastia procedures will be a customized combination of liposuction and surgical removal of tissue. There may be dissolvable stitches below the skin as part of the sculpturing of your new shape. Your breast surgeon will work to create a final smooth surface with no dips and rises. Most procedures take about 90 minutes, although some are longer. When it’s finished, the skin will be stitched to its new position and a dressing applied.
Recovery
As with female breast reduction, your surgeon will give you instructions on how to prepare for the procedure, and on how to care for yourself afterwards. Be sure and follow them exactly for a shorter recovery time and the most pleasing results.
Whether you’re male or female, if you’d like to know more, or have some specific questions to ask, please email or call us to arrange a complimentary consultation. We serve the entire Little Rock, Arkansas area, and we look forward to working with you. We’re confident you’ll be delighted with your new You!
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501-227-0707 - 800-877-7926
Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery
10809 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211-7926