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Liposuction Breast Reduction

INTRODUCTION

A breast reduction by liposuction serves a woman’s goal to have her breasts reduced without the scars of a “regular” breast reduction, with a quicker operation, and less healing time. Since women are reluctant to have a “regular” breast reduction because of scarring, a liposuction breast reduction is a good alternative. These women suffer from all the problems that other heavy-breasted women have including the neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain and shoulder grooving. They also are dissatisfied with their body image and may be unable to wear the clothes that they desire because of their enlarged breasts. These factors may hinder a woman with large breast from participating in sports, playing a more active social role, and simply enjoying life to the fullest.

We perform a regular breast reduction with a technique that is with predictable results and a very low complication rate. The regular breast reduction leaves a scar that is shaped like a lollipop around the areola and the mid-lower breast plus horizontal scars extending the length of the lower crease of the breast. The resultant scar looks like an anchor (See Section on Regular Breast Reduction). This method accomplishes two goals: The first is the decrease in breast volume. The second goal is a breast lift and removal of excess skin. The problem to some people is accepting the scar. A breast reduction by liposuction is an ideal operation for a heavy-breasted woman who wants volume removed from her breasts, but does not want to have the scars, and wants “less of an operation” with less chance of complications. This technique has its limitations and cannot accomplish the lifting effect that a regular breast reduction can accomplish by removing the skin of the lower portion of the breast (and thus leaving scars). It also cannot guarantee the removal of the large volume that a regular breast reduction can accomplish.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

An initial consultation is set-up where we will discuss the breast reduction procedure and whether you are a good candidate for the surgery. Your medical history is reviewed, and you will be asked to see your medical doctor for a physical check-up and a few labs to make sure you can undergo the surgery safely. You are given the opportunity to be seen by your own doctor to give the green light for surgery. You are asked to stop medications that cause bleeding, such as aspirin, or aspirin-like products (Motrin or Ibuprofen), a week before this procedure. You are asked to stop smoking two weeks before and two weeks after surgery, for the surgery to be performed safely, and for you to have optimal results. You are given the opportunity to talk to patients who have had the same surgery you are considering. We will see you shortly after the surgery (in a day or two usually). You are seen regularly after your surgery. You are always welcome to come back for follow-up, even years after your surgery, free of charge.

THE BREAST REDUCTION BY LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE

The procedure is relatively simple and straightforward. A patient, who is deemed a good candidate for this procedure, is given antibiotics, and anesthetized in the operating room. The breasts are injected with tumescent solution to give some pain relief and decrease the bleeding during surgery. Then 2 small incisions are made in each breast, about 3 millimeters each, and liposuction is performed to remove the desired amount. When sufficient fat is removed, the incisions are closed, and the patient is awakened.

Advantages

• Avoidance of the anchor incision scar. Instead, two small incisions are made under the crease of each breast to perform the liposuction
• The time it takes to perform the surgery varies according to the size of the breasts. On average, a regular breast reduction operation may take 2-3 hours. A breast reduction by liposuction may take half an hour to an hour.
• The pain may be less than a regular breast reduction due to less scarring.
• The recovery time is lessened because of less surgery performed, so a patient should recover in a few days.
• Symmetry between the two breasts is well preserved by liposuctioning the exact same amount from either breast.
• The nerves and blood vessels are well preserved.

Disadvantages

• The lift that is created by a regular breast reduction cannot be achieved by liposuction alone since the excess skin is not removed. As a result, the volume may be reduced, but the shape of the breast may either be less full, or sagging as a result of fat removal, depending on the skin quality. The nipple may rise a little with liposuction alone, but the lift achieved is not as significant as the regular breast reduction technique.
• The breast consists of breast tissue and fat. Only fat is removed with liposuction and not breast tissue as would be the case with regular breast reduction, since the breast tissue as well as the fat would be cut away. As a woman gets older, the breast tissue gets replaced with fat, so, the older the woman, the more that can be removed from her breast with liposuction alone. In other words, a woman in her twenties who would like to go down three sizes may not be a good candidate for liposuction breast reduction, since she may not have that much fat in her breast.

HOW WE MINIMIZE COMPLICATIONS OF BREAST REDUCTIONS

At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in making sure we provide for our patients the best surgical experience possible. This is a process that includes the pre-operative preparation, the actual surgery, and the after care.

General Complications
General complications can occur with any surgery. Cosmetic surgery is usually a safe surgery performed on healthy patients and, as all surgeries go, is with low risk. What we do to even lower the risk of complications is to operate at a first class surgical center with board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. To avoid post-operative complications, we advocate early mobilization –patients seen in our office one or two days after surgery- and active participation in their own post-operative care. When we create a partnership, the results invariably improve.

Bleeding
Bleeding with any form of liposuction is rare. Before liposuction of the breast, we inject tumescent solution that will constrict the blood vessels and minimize the bleeding. The bleeding from this operation with this technique has been minimal.

Infection
Infection with liposuction is rare. The most important step in avoiding infections, in our opinion, is to perform the surgery at a first-rate surgical facility with board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. Patients are given the appropriate intravenous antibiotics coverage throughout the surgery. During the surgery, the skin surface of the patient is cleaned properly. After the procedure, our patients are prescribed antibiotics to minimize infection. As a result of these extra precautions, our rate of infection after a breast reduction by liposuction has been zero.

Open Wounds
Since with a breast reduction by liposuction there is no skin removal or breast tissue manipulation other than suctioning fat out of the breast, open wounds are extremely rare.

Ability to Breastfeed
Women are sometimes concerned that if they get a breast reduction that they will not be able to breastfeed afterwards. With liposuction, the breast gland is preserved more than a standard breast reduction. As a result, the risk of losing the ability to breast feed is minimal.

Loss of Nipple Sensation or Nipple / Areolar Skin
There is decreased chance to injury nerves and blood vessels with liposuction because there is no cutting of breast tissue, so the risks of skin loss or permanent nerve injury is rare. Temporary loss of sensation from a “stunned” nerve or a bruised nerve may occur in the time period after surgery, but sensation in the vast majority of cases returns within a few weeks.

RECOVERY

Our office will provide a comprehensive post-operative plan to ensure the best possible outcome. The plan will include what to expect postoperatively, such as estimated recovery time, pain management, garments or dressings, and anticipated activity level. For your safety, we require that an adult stay with you at least the first 24 hours after surgery and drives you to your next day follow-up visit. With most procedures, you will be instructed to limit activity for the first week or two, which could include restrictions on driving, prolonged travel and flying. In addition, we ask you refrain from exercise until cleared by the physician, usually around four weeks post-op. You are asked to refrain from smoking for a minimum of two weeks. To optimize healing, we recommend that you eat a high protein diet. You should anticipate a variable degree of bruising and swelling, as with any surgical procedure. We also offer scar creams at an additional cost to optimize results.

To promote healing and minimize complications, you will be seen in a series of post-op appointments, including the day after surgery. These appointments will continue throughout the first year after the procedure to make sure you are healing as planned. For your added convenience, you also have direct access to Dr. Bitar’s cell phone number if you need to reach him after hours. The final post-op visit, one year after surgery, is one of our favorites since the results are fully apparent and we love seeing our patients happy. You are always welcome to come back and see us, even years after surgery.

MAXIMIZING POSITIVE OUTCOMES

At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in providing our patients with the best surgical experience possible, emphasizing patient safety while trying to optimize surgical results. This is a process that includes comprehensive pre-operative preparation and patient education, the development of a personalized operative plan, and a thoughtful post operative care regimen emphasizing patient comfort and promoting recovery.

There are a number of strategies which the Institute has adapted to further ensure patient safety. We are selective and only offer surgery to patients whose general health and lifestyle choices permit healing and facilitate recovery. To minimize risk, we require a preoperative assessment that includes a thoughtful history and physical exam, as well as targeted laboratory tests.

We operate at accredited hospitals and surgicenters that have demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of care, employing board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. We adhere to well established surgical principles designed to ensure patient safety and have developed policies and protocols to minimize the risk of infection. Dr. Bitar is committed to continuing education, honing his skills and introducing new techniques always with the aim of improving safety and surgical results.

We emphasize patient safety in our peri-operative care plan, advocating early mobilization, optimizing nutrition, and providing detailed care instructions. After surgery, patients are seen in our office frequently and early, starting the day after their procedure, and a staff member is available around the clock for any questions or concerns. Our entire team is committed to our patients’ well being and every measure is designed to minimize potential complications, promote comfortable and rapid recovery, and optimize surgical results.

WHY CHOOSE BITAR COSMETIC SURGERY INSTITUTE?

Our commitment to excellence and exceptional patient care is in every step of your doctor-patient experience. Dr. George Bitar is a distinguished board certified plastic surgeon who stays on the cutting edge of advancements in cosmetic surgery and technology to offer the best possible results. With a blend of artistry and meticulous surgical technique, he is able to achieve beautiful and natural results for our patients. We provide a high level of patient safety and our experienced and caring staff will be with you every step of the way. Our institute offers a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical options, from skin care, injectables and lasers to in-office or hospital options, to provide a versatile approach to fit individual patient needs. Your aesthetic goals are our priority and each procedure is customized to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.

For more information, call our office at 703-206-0506.

Content on this website is for information only and should not be used to diagnose or treat your plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery problems. Please contact your plastic surgeon with all questions and concerns.