Breast Reduction Treatment
Breast reduction, which is medically referred to as reduction mammoplasty, is a common procedure performed more than 120,000 times in 2004. Of all plastic surgery procedures, it is one of the top 5 or 6 most often performed each year. By comparison, breast augmentation using breast implants is the 2nd most common cosmetic surgery procedure, performed approximately 300,000 times per year.
Breast reduction is not necessarily a purely cosmetic procedure. Large breasts can cause a variety of medical problems due to the size and weight. These problems include back and neck pain, trouble breathing, and postural problems that lead to skeletal deformities. For extremely large breasts, the breasts can hang against the underlying skin, causing hygiene problems leading to irritation, rashes, and infections.
Discomfort from extremely large breasts can disrupt sleep and restrict motion during routine activities. Participation in sports can be greatly hindered, and finding clothes that fit properly can also be a problem. The weight of the breasts can cause the bra straps to create indentations or irritation in the shoulder area. For some women or teenage girls, over-sized breasts make them self-conscious and lower their self esteem. Breast reduction surgery can provide a shape and chest curvature more proportional to the overall body shape. In some cases, when the breasts are not equal in size, only one breast is treated in order to make it more symmetric with the other smaller breast.
The most common goals of breast reduction surgery are to reduce the size and weight of the breasts so that they are consistent with the contour of the body, and so that the breasts no longer cause problems with activities, health, or clothing. The cosmetic surgeon can also change the shape and firmness of the breasts to create a more aesthetic appeal. Additionally, in some cases the areola size is also reduced.
Larger or Over Sized Breasts
If a woman has over-sized breasts, medically referred to as breast hypertrophy, it typically occurs in both breasts and they develop at puberty or soon afterward. In some cases, the over enlargement of breasts can happen during pregnancy, and then the enlargement persists. Although very rare, sudden onset of the breasts growing to an excessive size and shape can occur. The cause of extra large breasts is unknown and is a matter of intense research.
Treatment for Breast Reduction
There is no medical therapy for breast reduction. Some types of specially designed bras can help relieve some of the discomfort, but may cause further irritation to the shoulder area. Breast reduction surgery, performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, can alleviate the discomfort of the oversized breast and can improve the aesthetic appeal. For those women who are self-conscious about their large breasts, surgery can restore confidence and improve the self-image.
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