2/08/07

According to a study published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, liposuction breast reduction may offer African American women a scarless alternative.

“African American women, like all women, want relief from the physical ailments associated with overly large breasts; the difference is that darker skin is prone to develop keloid and hypertrophic scars,” says Sherwood Baxt, MD, of Paramus, NJ. “Through this less invasive procedure, patients experienced no scarring, a decrease or elimination of physical symptoms, and an increase in self-esteem and quality-of-life. However, liposuction reduction is not appropriate for women whose primary concern is to lift overly large, sagging breasts.”

The study examined 17 African American women whose primary complaint was weight-related—to relieve physical symptoms associated with overly large breasts—as opposed to lifting the breast. All 17 women had liposuction breast reduction. Prior to the procedure, all patients attempted non-surgical therapies such as physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and chiropractic care to relieve their symptoms.

Patients were studied up to 6 months after the procedure and all experienced alleviation or significant relief in neck, back, and shoulder pain and postural imbalances.

The results found that the patients quality of life improved significantly, as did their self-esteem, overall health, and well-being. There were no complications and no adverse scarring reported.

According to Baxt, a drawback of liposuction breast reduction is that it does not significantly lift sagging breasts, unlike traditional breast reduction. In addition, liposuction breast reduction is only effective at removing fat, and not gland tissue. The procedure is ineffective for patients whose breasts are primarily glandular. In most cases, patients’ breasts cannot be reduced as much as traditional breast reduction surgery.

“Be aware this procedure is a compromise,” says Walter Erhardt, MD,  of Albany, GA. “Traditional breast reduction is still the gold standard, offering patients the trifecta of volume reduction, relief of physical symptoms, and lift. Women should discuss options and expectations thoroughly with their plastic surgeon. Those considering the procedure should know that while physical ailments and scarring can be improved, their breasts will not be exceptionally smaller or lifted.”

[www.medicalnewstoday.com, February 8, 2007]