Breast Reduction

95% of Breast Reduction Women Wish They Had This Surgery Much Earlier!

Large breasts may seem appealing to some, but for women who have them, they can be uncomfortable, awkward, and even embarrassing.  At the Plastica Clinic Dr. Jugenburg has extensive experience with the latest minimal scar technique of Breast Reduction.  Vertical Scar Breast Reduction allows you to have beautifully shaped, youthful looking breasts with scars that are barely visible.  You are able to go home the same day with minimal discomfort, there is no need for drains.  The results are long lasting.  Breast Reduction surgery has one of the highest satisfaction rates among all surgeries.  95% of women who have this surgery wish they had it done sooner.

There are often multiple personal factors that lead women to opt for breast reduction surgery:

• Marked breast asymmetry
• Uncomfortably large breasts
• Unappealing look (excess drooping, disproportion, etc.)
• Pain: neck, shoulder, and back
• Skin problems in the breast fold
• Difficulty fitting into clothing
• Social issues

Following your Breast Reduction Surgery you can expect:

• More youthful, perky and lifted breasts
• More beautifully shaped breast with improved cleavage
<;li>Better fitting bras
• More proportional body
  
• Improved or completely resolved back pain, neck pain, shoulder grooving

Small Breast Reduction:  300g (0.66 lb) removed per side, Nipple/Areola Eleavated.  Liposuction performed on the sides.  Lifted and smaller nipples, perkier breasts.  Better fitting bras.  Neck pain completely resolved.

Large breast reduction:  This patient had 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) removed from each breast, Liposuction performed on the sides and the breast.  Note the improved shape of the breasts and nipples, as well as the loss of enlarged veins.  Back pain, neck pain, and shoulder grooves completely gone.

Breast Reduction Surgery
The breast reduction procedure, technically known as reduction mammoplasty, involves removing fat and breast gland tissue from the breast to make it smaller, firmer, and lighter.  The most common way of performing breast reduction surgery is the "Inverted T," in which one incision travels along the bottom of the breast, and another goes upward to the nipple.

Dr. Jugenburg rarely uses the “inverted T” approach, but rather limits the incision to only the vertical component.  This means a significant reduction in scar size.  Additionally, the technique Dr. Jugenburg uses is associated with fewer complications than the traditional “inverted T” with inferior pedicle technique.  As a result, the blood supply, sensation, and “bottoming out” (sagging of the breast) are all improved compared to the traditional approach.

In addition to the cutting out of the excess fat and breast tissue, Dr. Jugenburg also performs liposuction to sculpt the breast and remove excess fat from the side of the chest which the government health plan doesn’t consider part of the breast (and therefore is not covered under the provincial health plan) but is unsightly if left behind after the breasts have been reduced in size.

It is important to realize that all women have some degree of asymmetry with respect to:

• Breast volume
• Breast shape
• Chest wall placement of each breast
• Nipple-areolar size and shape
• Nipple-areolar placement on the breast mound

Some degree of breast asymmetry will persist after your surgery no matter how carefully the surgery is done as precise measurements and excision of the redundant tissue is possible.

Liposuction for Breast and Chest Contouring

Plastic Surgeons often add liposuction to their breast reduction procedures, in an effort to contour the breast and to reduce the 'axillary fold', an extension of fatty tissue from the actual breast to the side of the body and up towards the armpit.  This extra fatty tissue and fold is often present in larger women, and if left untreated, will look un-natural once the remainder of the breast has been reduced.

Liposuction is also used to reduce the size of the breast itself, in addition to the 'standard' breast reduction or alone in cases where liposuction alone can be used for breast reduction.

Recovery after Breast Reduction
The typical recovery following breast reduction surgery is 2-4 weeks (you should plan on taking at least one week off from work).  You should avoid any strenuous physical activity for 2 weeks and should not lift your arms above your shoulders during this time.  During this time you will experience pain and bruising around the breast area.  Bruising and swelling will become more noticeable after 3-4 days and disappear 2-3 weeks following the procedure.  Scars will remain noticeable and raised for 6-9 months before they smooth out and fade away.  You will not see the final shape and scarring of the breast for several months.  Altered skin sensation of the breast is common post-surgery and usually resolves in 6-12 months. Occasionally, the altered sensation is permanent.  A supportive bra (without an under wire) will be worn for a minimum of 4 weeks.  Sports may be resumed after 3-4 months.


Breast Reduction Complications
Breast Reduction is a surgical procedure.  Like all surgical procedures, there are general risks.   Please read our information page on potential risks.  With regards to Breast Reduction, there are special considerations that need to be taken into account.   The downside of the operation can include issues such as scarring, bleeding, infection, changes in nipple sensation, and potential loss of the nipple. 

Breast Reduction Fee
Many women hope Breast Reduction Surgery is covered by OHIP.  First, Dr. Jugenburg wil need to assess you to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for breast reduction.  Once it is determined that you will benefit from this procedure, Dr. Jugenburg will have to submit an application to the Ministry of Health to approve this surgery.