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| Scarless Breast Reduction Using Liposuction |
| By Lawrence N. Gray, MD Portsmouth, NH |
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Liposuction Breast Reduction is a significant improvement over the traditional method because it relieves the backache, shoulder pain, neck pain and headaches caused by oversized breasts- without the scarring. This method leaves only a ¼ inch scar instead of the 12 full inches of scarring left on each breast by the traditional method. The lack of scarring is very important for the patient's self-image. No young woman needs to go through life with 12 inches of scarring on each breast.
This method of breast reduction is good for all patients of all ages. There are virtually no complications with this method compared to traditional breast reduction. I have performed this method on over 400 women who have come to our center from all over the country. There has been no nipple numbness and no skin loss among my patients.
Scarless breast reduction also appeals to younger patients because it does not interfere with breast-feeding and allows for a quick return to normal activity. For patients 40 years and over, it is particularly appealing because it does not interfere with mammograms as conventional surgery often does.
 |  |  |  | | Before | After |
20-year-old woman, was 34DD pre-operative cup size, after liposuction was 34C, 400 ml of breast tissue removed per breast. |
How It's Done
The key to relief of the painful symptoms often associated with oversized breasts is weight removal. Over 70% of the breast is fat. The skin shrinks after removal of weight, regardless of the patient's age or breast size. All skin tightens in response to removal of the weight it previously supported. The removal of weight has the added benefit of drawing the nipple upward, sometimes as much as three inches.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis using intravenous sedation, which feels the same to the patient as being completely asleep. There is no need for general anesthesia. Two small incisions are made on each breast. The patient's breasts are flooded with fluid, which pushes the tissue apart so the fat surrounding the mammary glands can be suctioned more easily. A thorough suctioning of the fat is then performed. The procedure takes approximately 25 minutes per breast.
Liposuction Breast Reduction allows for quicker recovery. There is minimal aftercare, so many patients return to work in a few days and are back to full activity in a week.
Outcomes
There has been complete elimination of symptoms in all patients. Areolas (nipples) that had been enlarged due to excessive weight of breast tissue shrink to a more a normal size. The skin tightens in all patients. The average size reduction is two cup sizes. Patients wear a surgical bra for one week, day and night, followed by a sports bra for one month. Massage is generally done for a few months until the breasts are soft and feeling comfortable and back to normal. There is little chance of significant breast change with weight gain in the future.
Breast Reduction using Liposuction is often covered by insurance. Because it's a brief procedure performed in less than one hour, compared to the four hours of conventional surgery, costs are lower. The operating room, recovery room and anesthesia charges have been greatly reduced with essentially no post-operative wound care, supplies or medications. For those women whose health insurance may not cover breast reduction, the lower cost of the liposuction technique is especially helpful.
 |  |  |  | | Before | After |
38-year-old woman, was 38D pre-operative cup size, after liposuction was 36B, 800 ml of breast tissue removed per breast. |
Dr. Gray practices in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He has given numerous presentations of his method to national plastic surgery meetings. His article on this procedure was published in the professional journal, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, (May, '98) and was been reported on in Allure Magazine (April '98) and Boston Magazine (Jan.'98). He has been asked to contribute a chapter on this topic to the professional journal, "Perspectives In Plastic Surgery", to be published in April, 2000.
Getting Started
If you are considering a cosmetic medical procedure, consult a board-certified plastic surgeon about the process, risks, recovery time and costs. For confidential, personalized information at no cost or obligation, use the Find A Specialist tool to find a board-certified plastic surgeon near you. It’s your first step to looking and feeling better today!
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Learn more about breast reduction now.
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