Background

Macromastia is a condition of excessively large breasts. Women may have symptoms of neck, back, and shoulder pain in addition to skin rashes. Breast reduction surgery removes skin, fat, and glandular tissue to decrease the size and to improve the shape of the breast. In women with very large breasts, breast reduction surgery can improve the aesthetic balance of a woman’s upper torso.

Patient choices and surgical techniques

There are many types of breast reduction and there is no “one” best technique. Dr Liu believes that operations should be tailored to the patient, and the choice of the operation depends on the patient’s body and breast type. Options include vertical short scar (lollipop) or traditional (inverted “T”). During your consultation, Dr Liu will review the pros and cons of each type of breast reduction and help you develop a surgical plan.

The Consult

Your initial consultation will take approximately one hour. During this time, Dr. Liu will take a thorough medical history, help you with the decision making process, and answer all of your questions. The goal of the consultation is for you to obtain all the information you need to make an informed decisison regarding breast reduction. If you are over the age of 40, you will need to have a recent (within 11 months) screening mammogram. Please bring a copy of the official report to your appointment. (Note: We only need the report. We do NOT need the actual x-ray film).

Pre-Operative

Approximately 2 weeks prior to surgery, you will have a pre-operative appointment. At this time, you will sign the surgical consent, have photos taken, and receive an information packet. The pre-operative packet includes detailed instructions for before and after surgery. We often advise patients to purchase several sports bras that clasp or zip in the front to use in the post-operative period. The bras should offer good support without being constrictive or too snug. It is important to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood thinning medications for at least two weeks before surgery. Also, do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening prior to surgery.

About the operation

Breast reduction surgery takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the size of the reduction, patients may go home or stay overnight. If a patient goes home immediately following surgery, a family member or friend should be available to spend the night with the patient.

Recovery

The recovery period ranges from 4 days to 1 week with most patients feeling very well by 4-5 days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. Dr. Liu will follow you closely during the recovery period and will let you know when you can resume full activities. The results are generally long lasting, but depend on an individual’s skin elasticity and lifestyle.

Summary

Whatever the reason, breast reduction surgery can provide psychological, aesthetic, and personal benefits for the right candidate. To find out if breast reduction is right for you, please make an appointment with Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu.