Breast surgery

Aside the feeding function the breasts of the female plays important role in the self-identification and self-esteem and in this connection a role of social and sexual function as well.

As the ideals for size and shapes of the breasts vary in different cultures and with different fashion trends, it is impossible to decide how the breast should look like regarding size. A pleasing shape without significant sagging of the breast is mostly regarded as optimal. Nevertheless, the individual female person sets her own ideals and should also have her own demands for a corrective procedure.

Biologically the size of the breasts has no importance to breast-feeding, as the hormonal stimulation during pregnancy alters the gland to the needed demands. Big breasts consist mostly of fatty tissue, which is not milkproducing and big breasts does not mean good feeding properties. During pregnancy the connective tissue of the body weakens due to the hormonal alterations, a phenomenon also seen during ageing. Normally the stability of the connective tissues returns to normal after pregnancy, but the elasticity can be decreased. With age, the hormonal production decreases, making the glands smaller. The combination of these factors explains the change of size and shape after pregnancy and with increasing age, namely enlargement of the "skinbag" around the gland and the "shrinking" of the gland itself. Simultaneously the position of the nipple changes, indicating the degree of "hanging".

Depending on the different conditions, there are following treatment options:

Big, dense breasts with or without hanging: Breast Reduction

Small breasts, asymmetric breasts with or without loose skin: Breast Enlargement with or without stretching of the skin.

Normal sized hanging breasts: Breast Lift

Anaesthetic: Regardless of the type of operation, we usually use local tumescent anaesthetic combined with conscious sedation, which is equal to general anaesthesia. The procedure is totally painless. General anaesthesia is of course available.

This text is edited and controlled by Dr. Per Gunnar Opitz, Opitz plastikkirurgiska klinik i Malmö Sweden