Schnheitschirurgie

Breast reduction

Synonyms

Breast Reduction Plastic

introduction

Breast reduction is an operation to reduce the size of the breasts. In the past, breast reduction was simply a matter of removing as much fat as possible.
Today, it is especially important to ensure that the nipple remains fully functional and that the breast retains its beautiful shape after the operation.

Indication of a breast reduction

There are many indications and reasons for breast reduction. For example, breasts that are too large can lead to severe chronic ones Back problems to lead. Many patients feel restricted in their movements and in some cases can no longer do sports. Severe shoulder pain and Back pain are often the result.

The heavy weight of the breasts can constrict the bra straps and the contact with the skin of the abdomen can lead to under the breast Rashes at the crease in the chest up to infections with fungi.
For many young patients, there is also the strong psychological stress.
For women, the female breast is a feature of beauty and has a strong influence on a woman's self-confidence.Breast reconstructions, however, often only present themselves through purely aesthetic aspects, but often, for the reasons mentioned above, there is also a medical indication for breast reduction.

Assumption of costs

Whether the costs are borne by the health insurance company for the medical reason depends on whether the health insurance company sees this as a medical indication that is harmful to health or as a pure one aesthetic Problem. For this, the examining doctor must issue a report for the patient and forward it to the health insurance company. Often, however, the health insurance companies do not recognize these reports.

Breast enlargement can also occur in men. Usually, however, this is not so extensive that the breast is usually used with a Liposuction scaled down.

Where does the big breast come from?

For most women, the breast is simply naturally too large in relation to the rest of the body. A breast that is too big can also get through Obesity (Obesity).

Another aspect is hormonal disorders that cause breasts that are too large, for example through the pregnancy or other hormonal disorders.

surgery

After clarification, discussion of the operation procedure and the technique, the operation follows. The Breast reduction surgery depends on the size, appearance and texture of the breasts. There are different surgical techniques.

The cutting technique is along the nipple and the cut is continued downwards towards the cuff. Depending on the size of the breast, you have to make a cross section at the bottom of the fold so that you can remove enough fatty tissue and glandular tissue.

During the breast reduction, fatty tissue and glandular tissue are removed. Furthermore, you also remove excess skinwhich tightens the breast even more. Since a lot of fat and glandular tissue is removed in order to shrink the breast, the nipple and areola must also be repositioned in a different location.

Since most of the fatty tissue and glandular tissue on the lower edge of the breast is removed, the breast is sewn tightly back together at the bottom and the nipple is positioned at the desired height, and then sewn back onto the skin. Usually you don't get any large scars because the seam transition between areola and skin is different Skin color exists and the transition is not visible.

If the breast is too big, you may have to remove the nipple from the surrounding tissue and "free“Must transplant without surrounding tissue. There is a risk of insufficient supply to the nipple. The preservation of the glandular body and nipple generally does not impair the Ability to breastfeed.

The duration of the operation is usually 2-4 hours depending on how much is removed and which surgical technique is used. The operation is done in general anesthetic carried out. After this operation you usually stay inpatient for 2-3 days and then come back 2-3 weeks later to have the stitches pulled.

Light movements like Walking or To go biking can be resumed after 4 weeks, but due to the scars you should only start exercising after about 8 weeks.
The aim of breast reduction surgery is to reduce the volume of the breast and to reduce unsightly asymmetries in the breast. Likewise, the breast is transplanted back to its existing location or lifted and pulled up and the breast is in most cases also tightened by removing excess skin and appears firmer.

Alternatives to breast reduction

Alternatives to the Breast reduction can be that wearing a good support bra Weight reduction to some extent and that targeted Muscle training to reduce the shoulder or joint pain. Liposuction can also be considered. However, these methods only help to some extent in relieving symptoms.

Risks

As with all operations, risks can:

Bleeding
Wound infection
Wound healing disorder be.

Excessive scarring, asymmetrical breasts, squinting diverging nipples and circulatory disorders can occur. The operation can also sever nerves, which can lead to:

Sensory disturbances
Sensory disturbances and
Numbness can come.

In very rare cases, damage to the ducts of the glands can lead to the inability to breastfeed.
Nipple death is another complication. However, this occurs extremely rarely. Wound healing disorders on the scars can occur, especially in patients with very large breasts.

Come risk factors like diabetes (sugar) or arteriosclerosis (Calcified arteryn) this can also affect wound healing. The operation can also lead to bleeding later due to injuries to blood vessels. In very rare cases it can be caused by infections, it can lead to persistent and painful collections of pus with tissue death, which affects the shape of the chest can affect.
It can also be general as in all major operations thrombosis (=Obstruction of the vessels) and to embolism come up to stroke.

Sewing the nipples can also lead to distortions of the nipples or the areola, as well as asymmetries with regard to the nipples and the areola. The nipple can also be positioned at different heights.
In most cases, however, you get a very nice symmetrical breast that has been precisely fitted to the body.

Assumption of costs

The cost of a Breast reduction amount to approx 4000-6000 Euro.

In the case of a medical indication to reduce the size of the breasts, which can usually be provided from a minimum weight of 500g per breast, the health insurance usually has to cover the costs. Due to the high costs, however, many of the health insurance companies refuse to bear these costs and reject the applications.
The health insurance companies refer the suffering patients to physiotherapy, diet or psychotherapy or try the desired operation as a pure "plastic surgery“To represent. As a result, this situation is extremely frustrating for many patients when the health insurance company repeatedly rejects the applications. Patients submit applications to their health insurance company with a specialist medical report.

The doctor must describe why he would do this operation and why he believes it would alleviate the existing problems. The doctor must also note the size and weight of the breasts, as well as any problems and complaints of the patient. The doctor for such an opinion can be a plastic surgery or a Orthopedist or be a gynecologist.
It is an advantage if the doctor has already written a few reports and is therefore familiar with the situation.
Another problem with health insurance companies is that health insurance companies pay and consent very differently. It can be that you fight for a very long time about the operation.

It is also important that you write that you can use other methods Back pain treatment has tried for about 2 years, such as regular physiotherapy.

Notice

According to the concept of the German Society for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, health insurers have to pay the treatment and therapy costs if the breasts have to be reduced by 2 cup sizes and also breasts with a clear asymmetry and health restrictions.

If the application is rejected by the health insurance company, you have the option to object. If the treatment is refused by the health insurance company, the patient has to pay for the costs.

These breast reduction costs amount to the consultations before the operation, the operation itself with the operating room, surgical material and the inpatient stay.
The anesthetist and the medication must also be included in the price. Depending on how complex the operation is, there are different prices that are set individually.
Follow-up treatment must also be taken into account. Support bra for the shape of the breast after the operation is also included.