Dr.
Levens' Parkland Life Florida Magazine Articles
Too Much of a Good Thing?
Breast Reduction Can Be a Blessing
By David J. Levens, MD, PA, FACS
It’s not something husbands typically suggest or boyfriends
offer to pay for. But for women with breast tissue so
excessive that they suffer neck, shoulder or back pain,
breast reduction surgery can bring wonderful relief.
Women with
large breasts often experience deep grooving on their shoulders from bra straps,
an uncomfortable pulling sensation on the chest, inability to wear many clothing
styles, inability to exercise comfortably, and rashes under the breasts.
Breast
reduction is an out-patient procedure. The skin and excess
breast tissue is surgically reduced, mostly from the lower
portion of the breast so that the resized breast can be positioned
upward and will remain more elevated. The nipple and areola
are carefully preserved to maintain good blood flow and sensation
and repositioned upward on the newly shaped breast. After
shaping the breast tissue to create a more youthful and lifted
appearance, the skin is carefully closed. The incisions are
usually located around the nipple, from the areola down to
the fold beneath the breast, and sometimes within the fold
beneath the breast, attempting to keep hem as short as possible
to minimize scarring.
To optimize symmetry, the tissue removed
from each breast is weighed during surgery, which along with
pre-surgical photographs and skin markings helps to ensure
the closest match of the two breasts. No two breasts
are exactly equal before or after surgery.
Post-surgery,
the patient wears a soft support bra for 2-3 weeks. Occasionally,
a small plastic drainage tube is used to lessen accumulation
of fluid, and then removed 1-2 days after surgery.
As
with any surgery, there are risks the surgeon should fully
discuss prior to scheduling. While
some permanent decrease in nipple sensation is possible, sensation
usually returns after a few months. While many patients nurse
successfully after reduction, the ability to nurse may be lost. In
very large breasts, or breasts with certain configurations,
the nipple may have to be completely detached and replaced
as a graft.
Most patients
report minimal pain after breast reduction, but typically experience
tightness or fullness for several days, gradually improving
over the first 1-2 weeks. The usual schedule of recovery
is: Bruising and swelling,
2-3 weeks; return to work & social activity, 7-10 days;
aerobic or strenuous activity, 3-4 weeks.
Happily,
the great majority of women who undergo breast reduction are
extremely satisfied, partly because there is an immediate reduction
in physical discomfort and partly because they have a much
better proportioned figure afterwards, broader wardrobe choices
and can often participate in activities and sports that were
previously off limits.
After
all, too much of a good thing can be a real pain.
David Levens, MD, PA, FACS has been practicing
cosmetic surgery in Coral Springs since 1989. In addition
to his private practice at 1725 University Drive, Dr. Levens
has served as Vice Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at the
Coral Springs Medical Center. He is Certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society
for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons. Dr. Levens has been cited repeatedly in Miami
Metro Magazine’s annual lists of “Best Doctors
in South Florida”. He earned his medical degree
at Columbia University, New York, and served residencies in
general surgery and plastic surgery at Montefiore Hospital & Medical
Center, New York. He lives in Coral Springs with his
wife, Linda, and their two children, Danielle and Ben. He can
be reached at 954-752-1020 or www.DrLevens.com.
