Breast Reduction Los Angeles Breast Reduction Beverly Hills

Although women with small breasts may envy those with large ones, enlarged breasts (macromastia) can be a source of discomfort. Their excessive weight can cause back pain and neck pain, eventually lead to skeletal deformities or breathing problems, and result in bra straps leaving painful indentations on shoulders. Their size can cause skin irritations, as clothing is stretched to the limit and rubbed against the upper body. They make it almost impossible to lie or sleep on one's stomach.

Because they're often the first thing people notice, they can be a source of embarrassment and make a woman – or a teen-aged girl –

  
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very self-conscious, especially if she's exercising or wearing a  swimsuit or shorts and a T-shirt at the beach or pool. They often provoke jokes from strangers or co-workers.

For any or all of these reasons, breast reduction – or, as plastic surgeons call it, reduction mammoplasty – is commonly sought by large-breasted women. It may also help women with normal-sized but sagging breasts, when other procedures are not practical.
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  Breast reduction involves the removal of excess fat, glandular tissue and skin in order to create smaller, lighter, less-burdensome breasts that are more attractive and better shaped. Most candidates for this procedure are seeking relief from physical symptoms as well as cosmetic improvement. It’s generally advised that women of child-bearing age who intend to breastfeed postpone the surgery as the procedure removes many of the milk ducts. It’s also recommended that teens postpone the surgery until the breasts are fully developed, though exceptions may be made in cases where discomfort or embarrassment are intolerable.

Dr. Kapoor may perform the breast reduction surgery onsite at the Beverly Hills Wellness Surgery Center, a state-of-the-art AAAHC-certified facility. Surgical times will vary but generally average two to four hours, and general anesthesia is often used. The incision most often made is shaped like an anchor, circling around the areola and then extending downward in a vertical line before running horizontally along the crease beneath the breast.  

Once the incision is made, Dr. Kapoor will lift the skin and then remove excess fat and glandular tissue. Excess skin will be trimmed, and the nipple and areola will be repositioned. The doctor will then shape the breast’s new contour by bringing the skin on the sides of the breast down and around the areola. Any excess fat located in the armpit may be removed with liposuction. In most cases, the nipples can remain attached to their nerves and blood vessels. However, if the breasts are extremely large or pendulous, it may be necessary to remove the nipples and areolas and graft them to a higher position, which will cause a loss of sensation in the tissue of the nipples and areolas. Once the surgery is complete, Dr. Kapoor will close the incisions with stitches. For patients who are looking for a reduction in breast size without reshaping, fat removal with liposuction may be performed instead.
 
 
   
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After surgery, an elastic bandage may be applied to the breasts or a surgical bra may be applied over gauze dressings. While the bandages may be removed two days after surgery, the surgical bra should be worn around the clock for several weeks. After that time, it’s recommended that a good athletic support bra be worn.  A small drainage tube may be inserted at each incision site after surgery and these will remain in place for one to two days.

Swelling and bruising are common but should fade within a few weeks. Patients should sleep on their backs during this time. Patients may experience some pain, particularly during the first few days after surgery, and this can be controlled with prescribed medication. The breasts may become particularly swollen and painful during the first post-surgical menstruation. Moisturizer may be applied to the breasts several times daily as the breast skin may be dry. Some loss of sensation may occur in the nipples and breast skin as a result of swelling. This typically subsides within about six weeks, but may last longer or may be permanent for some patients. The stitches will be removed after one to two weeks.

Most patients find that they can return to work within about two weeks after surgery provided that their job is not an overly active one. More strenuous activities including heavy lifting or pushing, bending or stretching will need to be avoided for at least three to four weeks.

 

Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

Though rarely discussed, an estimated 40 to 60 percent of the adult male population is afflicted with "women-like breasts" to at least some degree. This condition may affect one or both breasts, and is most noticeable at a beach or pool or in a locker room. For those who are self-conscious about their condition, known as gynecomastia (the Greek word for women-like breasts), a plastic surgeon can perform breast-reduction surgery.

Similar in many ways to the procedure for women, gynecomastia removes fat and/or some glandular tissue from the breasts and, in extreme cases, excess skin as well. The result: a firmer, flatter, better-contoured and masculine-like chest.

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Candidates for male breast reduction include physically healthy men who are looking to improve breasts that are more feminine than masculine in appearance. The best results are often achieved on those with firm, elastic skin. Surgery is not advised for individuals who drink or smoke heavily or take steroids until these habits have been stopped. Surgery is also not recommended for obese men or overweight men who have not yet tried to improve their breast appearance through exercise and weight loss. An initial consultation with Dr. Kapoor in his Beverly Hills office will help to determine if male breast reduction is right for you.

Dr. Kapoor may perform the male breast reduction surgery onsite at the Beverly Hills Wellness Surgery Center, a state-of-the-art AAAHC-certified facility. While surgical times will vary, the typical male breast reduction procedure takes about two hours to perform. Local anesthesia combined with a mild sedative may be used or general anesthesia may be used.
The incisions for male breast reduction are typically located in the armpit area or on the edge of the areola. If the gynecomastia is caused by excess glandular tissue, Dr. Kapoor will remove this surgically. Excess skin will also be trimmed and excess fat will be removed with liposuction. If the gynecomastia is caused primarily by excess fatty tissue, smaller incisions are made and ultrasound or power-assisted liposuction is used to remove the excess fat. The incisions are then closed and a surgical dressing is applied to the chest. A small drain may be inserted at the incision sites and these will remain in place for a day or two.

Patients may experience some discomfort after surgery which can be controlled with prescribed medication. Bruising and swelling are common during the first few weeks after surgery. An elastic pressure garment will need to be worn around the clock for the first two weeks and then only at night for several weeks more. The stitches are removed within one to two weeks.

Patients are often able to return to work within just a few days after surgery. However, strenuous activities will need to be avoided for a minimum of three weeks. It’s also advised that sex be postponed for one to two weeks. The scars should be protected from sun exposure for at least six months.

 
 
Dr. Vishal Kapoor MD is a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon who performs facial and body procedures in
Beverly Hills & Los Angeles, California in his fully accredited plastic surgery center. ® Copyright 2009