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 The
extensive scarring any women is left with from the conventional
method of breast reduction is frightening enough, but for women
of color, the problem is worsened by the tendency toward keloid
scarring. The newer method, Breast Reduction Using Liposuction is
a significant improvement over the conventional method because it
avoids scarring altogether and relieves painful symptoms of oversized
breasts. Most African American, Indian and dark skinned Hispanic
women are aware from their own experience that they are prone to
this very noticeable and problematic type of scar.
Keloid or hypertrophic scars are wide, elevated, thick scars. They
are often painful itchy and difficult to treat. Keloid scar, occur
in over 50% of patients of color when the traditional method of
breast reduction is used, leaving a ful 12 inches of scarring on
each breast. For this reason, many women, particularly dark skinned
women, avoid pursuing breast reduction surgery and continue suffering
through the symptoms of oversized breasts.
Oversized breasts often cause back, neck and shoulder pain, and
numbness of the hands and arms, headaches and rashes or kin irritations
under the breasts. Large breasts also make exercise difficult for
some women. The self-consciousness many women have suffered their
entire lives with oversized breast can also be a terrible burden.
The avoidance of surgery due to worries about scars and complications
has lead to a higher rate of breast cancer. However, several studies
have shown that women who have had breast reduction have a reduced
risk of breast cancer. A smaller breast can be followed by mammograms
more easily. Radiologists also report that mammograms are easier
to read after the breast reduction using liposuction method that
with the scarring of the conventional method.
Complications with the conventional method, not including scarring,
occur in close to 50% of the cases. Possible complications are infection,
bleeding, would separation, loss of the nipple or breast tissue.
Numbness and the inability to breast feed are not commonly considered
to be complications, but often occur with conventional surgery.
With conventional surgery, the larger the amount of fat to be removed,
the greater the risk of complications.
With Breast Reduction Using Liposuction there are virtually no
complications. The surgery is less invasive. Liposuction removes
only fat tissue. Since the breast is on the average greater than
50% fat an average liposuction reduction reduces the breast by 2
cup sizes. There is no loss of sensation in the nipple and it does
not interrupt ability to breast feed.
There is a significant cost savings with liposuction breast reduction.
Medical fees are lower because it is a shorter outpatient procedure.
There is a quicker return to work, typically within one week. For
some who are retricted to a desk with minimal physical activity,
2-3 days off is usually sufficient. Most women are amazed and happy
with the “weekend” downtime. Insurance coverage for the
conventional is become difficult to obtain because of the higher
costs.
Dr. Gray, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is the originator of this
procedure. He has been selected to teach a course on this procedure
at the annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery in New York, May 4th-9th, 2001. He has performed more than
500 cases, published numerous articles, and has appeared on breast
panels at national professional conferences. Dr. Gray is gaining
international attention and has been asked to participate in a formal
medical study of his procedure at Uppsala University in Sweden.
Patients have come to him from other countries such as Turkey and
Egypt.
By
Lawrence N. Gray, MD
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