Breast Reduction – Types and Techniques

Fuller and large breasts look beautiful but only if they are proportional to body frame. Otherwise, they not only affect woman’s aesthetic appearance but also cause physical pain and discomfort. There are many women on the globe who have large breasts but they are not happy with them. Breast reduction surgery is an ideal option for reducing the size of breasts and relieving the pain and discomfort caused by them. This procedure can be performed using various options and techniques. Here we will discuss these types and techniques.

Breast reduction surgery

Breast reduction surgery is suitable for those women who have excessively large breasts. It is an invasive procedure and is performed under general anesthesia. It involves removing excess breast tissue through incisions made in various sites. It can be performed using various techniques that differ depending on the incision patterns. Three most common techniques are:

·         Traditional or anchor incision technique: This technique involves making three incisions. The incision is made around the areola, extending vertically downwards and under the natural breast fold. This technique is suitable for severely large and saggy breasts.

·         Vertical incision technique: This technique involves making incision around the areola that extends vertically down to breast crease. This technique is comparatively new and causes minimal scarring. It is effective for the breasts having mild to moderate breast tissues and sagginess. The patients having good skin elasticity are mostly recommended to have vertical incision breast reduction.

·         Pedicle method: It is the most common commonly performed breast reduction procedure. This technique is perfect option for the women who also required nipple repositioning. This technique involves making incision around the areola.

Scar-less breast reduction surgery

It is the procedure that leaves virtually no scar behind. However, it is suitable for women who don’t have sagging breasts. This procedure uses liposuction to remove excess breast tissues. During the procedure extremely small incisions – of only few millimeters – are made in the breast fold or armpits. Then extremely small cannula is inserted through these incisions to break down the tissues with its controlled to and fro motion. Gentle suction method is afterwards used to remove the disrupted fat.

Scar-less breast reduction causes minimal trauma to breast tissues, minimal complications and fewer scars. Women having excess fat tissues rather than glandular tissues are ideal candidates for this procedure as liposuction is beneficial for removing fat tissues. This procedure is usually not recommended for thinner women.

Comparing Breast Implant Options

Breast augmentation surgery is a popular procedure and is one of the most frequently performed ones. The procedure involves placement of breast implants in the breasts to enhance the size and contours of breasts. Breast implants are available in variety of types varying in shapes, sizes and textures. Here we will compare the most popular and frequently used breast implant options.

Saline and silicone breast implants are mostly used for breast enhancement. Both the implants produce excellent results of breast augmentation. However, silicone implants are mostly used for reconstructive purposes or if there is large difference between the sizes of your breasts or if you are undergoing breast augmentation and breast lift simultaneously. Here is an overview of most popular types of breast implants.

Saline breast implants

Saline implants are the most commonly used type. They are silicone shells filled with saline water. They feel like plastic bag filled with water. They are often filled after placement with the help of a disposable tube and therefore require smaller incisions. Below given are some important factors associated with saline breast implants:

·         They are approved by FDA for women over 18 years of age.

·         They are filled with sterilized saline water.

·         They are generally the lowest priced implants. They are about half as expensive as silicone implants.

·         They feel less soft and less natural than silicone gel implants. However, the results are equally effective.

·         The volume of saline implants is adjustable to ensure symmetrical results.

·         Saline implants are more likely to cause wrinkling but this effect is normal.

·         On rupture, flattening occurs that makes the patient know about rupture.

·         Rupture of saline implants poses no health risk. Saline solution is absorbed by the body.

·         They are available in different projections.

Silicone breast implants

Silicone breast implants are safer than saline implants because of their thicker outer shell. Risk of rupture is also low. They are silicone gel filled bags covered with silicone shell. Silicone implants are inserted pre-filled and therefore, require comparatively longer incisions. Below given are some important factors associated with silicone gel implants.

·         FDA has approved silicone gel implants for women 22 years of age or more.

·         They are filled with silicone gel.

·         They are typically more expensive than saline gel implants.

·         They are soft and have more natural feel as compared to saline implants.

·         The volume of silicone gel implants can’t be adjusted after insertion.

·         Silicone gel implants may develop wrinkling on capsule formation.

·         On rupture, flattening does not occur and therefore, it is given the name of silent rupture.

·         On rupture, silicone gel may bleed through the implant walls and get trapped in the tissues. This causes pain, soreness, swelling and lumps in the affected breast.

·         They are also available in different projections.

Gummy bear breast implants

Besides saline and silicone gel implants, cohesive gel implants – commonly known as gummy bear implants – are also becoming popular. They are filled with silicone gel that is thicker than used in traditional silicone gel implants. Below given are some important factors associated with gummy bear implants:

·         FDA has approved gummy bear implants for women 22 years of age or more.

·         They are filled with thick silicone gel.

·         They are the most expensive breast implants, even more than silicone implants.

·         They feel more natural than both saline and silicone implants.

·         Their volume is not adjustable after placement.

·         They may also cause wrinkling.

·         Rupture is very rare with gummy bear implants but whenever it occurs, does not cause flattening.

·         They have lower chance of capsular contracture as compared to saline and saline implants.

·         They are also available in different projections.