Breast reduction surgeries are some of the more satisfying procedures for both the physician and the patient. Ideal candidates for breast reduction include those who experience pain in their neck, back, or shoulders from the weight of their breasts on their chest wall. These patients also have grooving in their trapezius muscles from their bra straps and hypertrophy of their trapezius muscles from shrugging the shoulders or tonic contraction to counteract the weight of their breasts.
Breast reduction surgery usually takes about three and a half hours. The surgery is performed under a general anesthesia. In addition to the general anesthesia, a long acting local anesthetic is also used. The local anesthetic lasts approximately 8 hours. Pain and patient posture typically improve after breast reduction surgery.
