This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive

Smaller Breasts Through Liposuction

By Michael  Smith, MD WebMD Feature

Reviewed By Gary Vogin, MD

Feb. 25, 2002 -- Large breasts can cause neck, back, and shoulder pain. Many women turn to surgery to reduce the size of their breasts. A new technique using liposuction hopes to reduce breast size and relieve pain with fewer surgery risks.

"This new technique of breast reduction by liposuction allows for the safe removal of fat with a low risk of bleeding and infection," says Daniel Lanzer, MD, in a news release. Lanzer, of Toorak, Australia, presented the new technique at a meeting of dermatology specialists.

The new technique involves a "micro-cannula" -- very small suction tube.

There are three parts to breast liposuction. First, the breasts are filled with a fluid that allows for easier removal of excess fat. The fluid and fat are then suctioned out with the micro-cannula. Finally, the micro-cannula is passed directly underneath the top layer of skin. This, Lanzer says, allows the now-loose skin to pull back and gives a better cosmetic result.

"The micro-cannula in breast liposuction is far more precise than earlier technology," said Lanzer. "The micro-cannula allows the dermatologic surgeon to sculpt the breast area, which was traditionally harder to suction, more precisely."

Lanzer tested the new technique on 250 women over a two-year period who were undergoing reduction to relieve pain related to heavy breasts. Breast size varied from a size C to a size J.

All the women tolerated the surgery without any serious problems. In addition, the procedure appears to benefit all breast shapes except for extreme drooping. In that case, more aggressive surgery is needed.

As expected, most women have tenderness and swelling following the breast reduction. The more fat removed, the more swelling and bruising. A garment to compress the breasts is worn to reduce swelling. Breast size is typically reduced by one to two sizes, and most women are back to normal activity in two to three days.

There is one disadvantage to liposuction compared with surgery in which the breast is actually cut open. This older type of surgery allowed doctors to look at the breast tissue removed and examine it for any signs of breast cancer. Liposuction does not allow for this. Early breast cancer has been found in some women despite having had a normal mammogram.

But there are many advantages to choosing liposuction. There have been reports of scarring inside the breasts from the traditional surgery. Liposuction is less likely to produce these effects because there are no surgical scars in the breast and no heat is produced from the liposuction procedure, said Lanzer.

If you are experiencing pain that you think may be related to having large breasts, talk to your doctor about what you can do. The two of you together can decide if liposuction is right for you.

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