Our aim is to educate every patient about the symptoms of macromastia (large breasts), breast reduction surgery, and insurance coverage policies regarding symptomatic breast reduction.
Normal growth of a woman’s breasts begins within the uterus and goes on throughout puberty, adolescence, and into early adulthood. The breast size is determined by several factors that include genetic makeup, gender, age, environmental influences, hormones and medications, as well as a person’s weight. Many women suffer from having big natural breasts or large breasts that are larger than what is proportional to their body frame. However, development of abnormally large breasts is known as macromastia. This is a problem for big breasted women who have big natural boobs. Although, the cause of this anomaly has not been determined, it is believed that one reason for growth of large breasts is from increased sensitivity to the circulating hormone, estrogen.
This surgery can be used for both men and women. Large breasts can dominate a woman’s (and a man’s) appearance, creating an unbalanced physical profile while making exercise difficult or even impossible. Overly large breasts not only have considerable physical effects but can also affect self-confidence and even personal relationships. Macromastia can cause back pain, neck pain, breast and chest pain, skin irritations, rash, malodor, skin ulceration, skeletal deformations, and even breathing problems. One of the most commonly seen symptoms is bra strap indentation that can create pain and physical deformity of the shoulders. Women who have lived with macromastia find that after having breast reduction surgery, they are able to enjoy simple pleasures that were not available to them before, such as participating in sports or easily finding clothing off the rack that fits properly. Also, breast reduction surgery can help enhance emotional well-being and improve self-image.
Some of the health risks that are experienced by women with large breasts include:
This surgery is technically known as reduction mammoplasty. This is a surgical procedure that brings the breasts into better proportion with the rest of the body by removing fat, excess breast tissue and skin. The areola, or darker skin around the nipple, may be reduced and repositioned as well.
There are various reduction techniques. These include:
Scarless breast reduction: This technique is essentially breast liposuction. It removes breast fat with the use of a liposuction cannula without placing any incisions on the breast. The technique is not in demand since it does not offer a breast lift.
Vertical incision breast reduction: This technique places an incision around the nipple areola that extends vertically down on the breast. It is a helpful technique for those who require smaller reductions and less extensive breast lift.
L-incision breast reduction: This technique uses an L-incision to achieve a reduction and lift.
Wise-Pattern or anchor breast reduction: This technique is used for maximum reduction and lift.
Dermal bra suspension breast reduction and lift: This technique was developed by Drs. Agha and Rubin and has been written in several plastic surgery textbooks. It essentially uses an anchor-type incision to achieve reduction. However the breast lift portion of the procedure is far more comprehensive than the standard Wise-pattern breast reduction.
More about breast reduction and body contouring by Dr. Agha in Newport Beach
In addition to performing breast reduction surgery in Newport Beach and Orange County, Dr. Agha receives many patients from local areas such as Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, San Diego, and Los Angeles. He also frequently receives patients from out-of-state for breast and body contouring procedures. Contact us today at 949-393-4213 to learn about all of your procedure options. Please take your time to look at our Breast Reduction gallery.
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