Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
BOOKS
Ball, Adrian S., and Peter M. Arnstein. Handbook of BreastSurgery. London: Edward Arnold, 1999.
Berger, Karen J., and John Bostwick. A Woman's Decision:Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction,...
3rd edition. St. Louis: Quality Medical Publshers, 1998.
Bostwick, John. Plastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, 2nd edition. St. Louis: Quality Medical Publishers, 1999.
Engler, Alan M. BodySculpture: Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women, 2nd edition. London: Hudson Pub., 2000.
PERIODICALS
Chao, J. D., H. C. Memmel, J. F. Redding, L. Egan, L. C. Odom, and L. A. Casas. "Reduction Mammaplasty Is a Functional Operation, Improving Quality of Life in Symptomatic Women: A Prospective, Single-center Breast Reduction Outcome Study."Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 110, no. 7 (2002): 1644โ1654.
Jejurikar, S. S., J. M. Rovak, W. M. Kuzon Jr, K. C. Chung, S. V. Kotsis, and P. S. Cederna. "Evaluation of Plastic Surgery Information on the Internet."Annals of Plastic Surgery 49, no. 5 (2002): 460โ465.
Johansson, A. S., H. Wennborg, L. Blomqvist, D. Isacson, and E. Kylberg. "Breastfeeding after Reduction Mammoplasty and Augmentation Mammoplasty."Epidemiology 14, no. 1 (2003): 127โ129.
Qiao, Q., J. Sun, C. Liu, Z. Liu, and R. Zhao. "Reduction Mammaplasty and Correction of Ptosis: Dermal Bra Technique."Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 111, no. 3 (2003): 1122โ1130.
Smith, M., and K. Kent. "Breast Concerns and Lifestyles of Women."Clinics in Obstetrics and Gynecology 45, no. 4 (2002): 1129โ1139.
Spear, S. L., C. V. Pelletiere, A. J. Wolfe, T. N. Tsangaris, and M. F. Pennanen. "Experience with Reduction Mammaplasty Combined with Breast Conservation Therapy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer."Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 111, no. 3 (2003): 1102โ1109.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Board of Plastic Surgery. Seven Penn Center, Suite 400, 1635 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2204. (215) 587-9322.
American College of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
American College of Surgeons. 633 North Saint Claire Street, Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 202-5000.
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 11081 Winners Circle, Los Alamitos, CA 90720. (800) 364-2147 or (562) 799-2356.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 444 E. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (888) 475-2784.
OTHER
"Breast Implants."U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [cited February 24, 2003]
"Breast Implants and Breast Reconstruction."National Library of Medicine. [cited March 20, 2003].
"Implants on Trial."Public Broadcasting Systems. [cited March 20, 2003]
"Information about Breast Surgery."American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery. [cited March 20, 2003]
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Other Information
Breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure which involves the reduction in the size of breasts by excising fat, skin, and glandular tissue; it may also involve a procedure to counteract drooping of the breasts. As with breast augmentation, this procedure is typically performed on women, but may also be performed on men afflicted by gynecomastia.
The surgery, which the Food and Drug Administration has called "good medicine", is quickly gaining popularity. In 2005, over 113,000 women had breast reductions, an increase of 11 percent from 2004.
Breast reduction surgery is oriented toward women with large, pendulous breasts, especially gigantomastia, since the weight of their breasts may cause chronic pain of the head, neck, back, and shoulders, plus circulation and breathing problems. The weight may also cause discomfort as a result of brassiere straps abrading or irritating the skin. For these reasons, the surgery is usually covered by insurance. Even if physical discomfort is not a problem, some women feel awkward with the enormity of their breasts in proportion to the rest of their relatively smaller bodies. Except in unusual cases, this procedure is performed on individuals with fully-developed breasts, and it is not typically recommended for women who desire to breastfeed.
Males with common condition of gynecomastia may feel embarrassed and upset with their condition, usually developed during adolescence. They may get the surgery for restored confidence.
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