Many people suffer much pain and other physical problems because of uncomfortably large breasts. For women and men both, breast reduction surgery may be a good option. But it's important to keep in mind -- as you discuss this with your doctor -- to be honest about your medical history and your emotions regarding your breast size. This will help your doctor give you the best advice concerning this surgery.

The Procedure: During breast reduction surgery, you will have an incision at your nipple, then downward on the breast. The surgeon will remove the excess skin, tissue, and fat -- and relocate your nipple so the breast's appearance will be natural. You'll go home with your breasts wrapped in gauze and wearing a surgical bra.

Common Side Effects:
Different techniques can produce scars of varying size and shape. However, there is essentially no technique at this point that can provide a scar-free breast reduction.

Complications:
In rare cases, there may be certain complications such as inadequate healing along the incision line. Inadequate healing or delayed healing can lead to a need for dressing changes for a period of time. Tissue loss can occur, which is most worrisome if it occurs in the nipple area. In rare cases, there may be loss of sensation. Breastfeeding is generally possible after breast reduction surgery, but this may vary from patient to patient.

Recovery: You will need to take at least one week off from work or school. Some patients require two weeks, but each situation varies. If you are a physically active person, you will not be able to resume your activity for at least one month after surgery.

Breast Reconstruction
After a mastectomy for breast cancer, many women choose to have breast reconstruction - which involves replacing skin, breast tissue, and the nipple. The ultimate goal is to restore symmetry between the two breasts. There are many types of procedures for breast reconstruction, depending on your health, goals of surgery, and amount of recovery you are willing to accept. The more involved procedures carry slightly higher risks - but also greater reward in terms of aesthetic appearance.
Women are generally encouraged to begin breast reconstruction at the same time they have the mastectomy - to reduce emotional trauma, expense, and discomfort. However, if chemotherapy or radiation treatments have already started, reconstruction is usually postponed.

The Procedure:
The patient's goals, medical condition, and previous surgery will determine whether to use breast implants or flaps of tissue moved from other parts of the body. A nipple can be constructed using prosthesis.

Common Side Effects:
After you go home, you can expect some soreness, swelling, and bruising for two to three weeks. The mastectomy and breast reconstruction will leave areas of numbness and tightness where the surgery was performed. The shape of your reconstructed breast will gradually improve over the next months.

Complications:
These will depend entirely on the type of reconstruction you have. Your surgeon can discuss all the options available, the risks, and potential benefits of each.

Recovery:
Most women return to normal activities within six weeks after surgery. It may be several weeks before you can do strenuous exercise. In time, some feeling may return in your breasts. Most scars will improve over time.