Breast hypertrophy/ Gigantomastia/ Macromastia is a medical condition where the breasts become excessively large.
Idiopathic (Unknown)
Puberty (juvenile macromastia)
Pregnancy (Gestational macromastia)
Syndromes
Drugs (penicillamine, cyclosporine, bucillamine etc.)
Those with one or more of the following symptoms are candidates for breast reduction surgery
Chronic back, shoulder, and neck pain.
Chronic ulcers, rash, fungal/ bacterial infection in the inframammary folds (under the breasts)
Inability to perform certain physical activities/ sports
Trouble fitting into clothes/ brasserie
Psychological distress/ poor self-image
Your plastic surgeon/ breast surgeon would first evaluate you for the underlying causes and either counsel you regarding pubertal and gestational macromastia ( which in certain cases may be self-limiting and resolve naturally over time) or advise surgery – Breast reduction surgery a.k.a reduction mammaplasty.
Breast reduction surgery removes fat, breast tissue and skin from the breast while retaining the natural appearance of the breast, thus reducing the overall size of the breasts by a few kilograms and cup sizes.
Smokers (If smoking, stop for atleast 6 weeks before and after surgery )
Ongoing pregnancy
Obese
Patients with multiple co-morbidities
Patients who are unable to accept scars on their breasts.
Surgery may be deferred if you are breastfeeding.
There will be scars on the lower aspect of the breast (Which will be taken care of post-surgery with adequate scar prevention protocols )
There will be a certain amount of bruising depending on your skin type and propensity to bruise
A mild asymmetry in the breasts
Contrary to popular belief, Breast reduction/ Reduction mammaplasty is a therapeutic procedure and very rarely cosmetic. Certain cases of hypertrophic breasts are clearly curative and cleared by insurance companies provided the association with symptoms can be shown.
The social taboo and lack of awareness prolong the suffering of many women.
The physical discomfort and psychosocial discomfort associated with breast hypertrophy can be easily alleviated with surgery.
PRE-OP vs. POST OP
Consultant Breast and Oncoplasty Surgeon.
