People often think that Asian women tend to complain about their small breasts, compared to their western counterparts who have large or drooping breasts. Actually, this is not quite the case. Due to the factors of nutrition improvement and a more westernized diet, the author is getting more and more patients for breast reduction consultations. Some of them are young students who come to me with their parents. So problems with breast size is no longer limited to breasts being too small, but large as well. Patients with large breasts feel the need for plastic surgery to solve long time problems, as the size becomes a burden to their bodies.

At the end of puberty, breast growth pretty much stops. As a result, patients with oversized breasts seem to have suffered with their problem for quite a while. The most common factor for oversized breasts is family heredity. Other factors can be an incretion disorder or mammary diseases. So it is necessary to check breasts carefully for incretion conditions when they grow too large in a short duration. If the problem is simply overgrown breasts, then breast reduction is a suitable solution. According to some reports, oversized breasts interfere with breast cancer exams and tend to be subject to various illnesses, but there is still no evidence that oversized breasts increase the chance of breast cancer. However, if patients with oversized breasts have a family history of breast cancer, then some of them may decide to receive breast reduction surgery to decrease interference in breast cancer check-ups.

The beauty of a woman’s breasts is based on the symmetrical and proportional balance of her figure. Breast reduction surgery involves the removal of some breast tissue, so the psychological adjustment before surgery and adaptation after surgery has to include an overall evaluation, as there is no way to reverse the procedure. So it is important to take serious consideration before making the final decision for surgery.

The common reasons for breast reduction surgery are as follow:

Bone Underdevelopment Due to Oversized Breasts
Patients with oversized breasts can easily have humpbacks or scoliosis problems. If the problems become serious during puberty, patients should receive breast reduction surgery in order to prevent permanent body damage.

Chronic Eczema or Dermatitis
Oversize-breasted patients can easily have chronic eczema or dermatitis due to friction between their skin and underwear, or sweat. Longtime discomfort cannot be eradicated without reducing breast weight and size.

Increase in Difficulty of Breast Cancer Screening or Breast Examination
Overdeveloped breasts increase the difficulty of breast cancer screening and evaluation. Currently, there is no evidence that oversized breasts and breast cancers are related, but, certainly, the increase the risk of fibroid or cysts.

There are several surgical techniques for breast reduction, depending on the size of the breasts and the amount to tissue to be reduced. However, patients need to be aware of scarring, no matter which technique they choose. All techniques require long-term care to for satisfying surgical outcomes.

Currently, the author often performs the following three techniques:
Incision on the Areola with a Breast Lift
This technique is suitable for patients with average drooping breasts. It can be used to reduce breast size and lift the breasts at the same time. However, it only can reduce the breasts by a maximum of one cup-size down. For patients who want to reduce more than one cup-size, it is not a suitable method. Incisions are made around the nipples, and the size of the nipples is also reduced.

Incision that Circles the Areola and Down underneath the Breast
This technique is suitable for patients with large, drooping breasts. It can reduce the breasts up to two cup-sizes. However, surgery scars are noticeable on the nipples, as well as one smile-like long scar on the lower part of each breast. The scars become very faint after a year.

Upside Down “T” Incision
Of all three techniques, this one has the widest range and can reduce the breast size by the largest amount. It is suitable for patients with severe dropping due to heavy breast weight. This method leaves an “upside down T” scar on the front of the chest, and requires longer scar care after surgery.

Breast reduction surgery can be considered as serious as large-scale breast plastic surgery, so patients are required to stay for observation for one day after surgery. The breasts have swelling and bruising after surgery, and need 2-3 months to return to their actual shape. They return to their original softness after 6 months. It takes at least a year to heal the scars. Patients should be aware of all the procedures mentioned above before making a decision for surgery. Possible complications include wound healing problems, hematoma, infection, partial skin or areola necrosis. They can be prevented with the doctor’s careful evaluation and treatment.

Breast reduction surgery is somewhat rare here, and patients should consult with their doctors concerning the details of the surgical procedure they choose and recovery conditions. The best way to overcome the burden and worry of oversized breasts is to find a professional and experienced breast plastic surgeon!