Gigantomastia is a problem for many women, who, instead of enjoying this attribute of femininity, end up considering themselves tormented, having a problem without a solution.
But what does gigantomastia mean? Breasts have a volume over 1,500 ml, compared to breasts with an ideal volume between 200-350 ml. In the United States, gigantomastia is considered a rare disease and affects less than 200,000 people in the female population.
In general, it is genetic or constitutional, appearing in more corpulent women, but not only. Giant breasts generally have a fatter than glandular structure, and most of the time women are hindered by the myth that you should not touch your breasts, that you can make them sick. However, they become a chore, their weight being a burden that must be worn every day in custom-made bras, straps that enter the “flesh” because of their weight, back pain or vicious positions (kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis) due to kilograms of bra.
Unfortunately, quite a few women know that this problem can be solved surgically, that it is the only way to solve it, which greatly improves the comfort of life, as evidenced by the confessions of those who had the courage to do so and who claim they have only one regret, that of not having had surgery earlier.
It is true that it is often necessary to halve the volume of the breasts, that their remodeling involves the acceptance of scars, maybe a decrease in areolar sensitivity (often transient), but in general it is not a dangerous intervention.
Before any breast surgery, it is mandatory to investigate them (ultrasound and sometimes mammography), to assess the preoperative status that remains a reference for subsequent checks or to highlight potential local problems.
If a suspicious lesion is detected, investigations are continued until a definite diagnosis is made that requires treatment or not. But if there is no problem, then it can be decided to perform the breast reduction operation.
Depending on the preference and experience of the plastic surgeon, he uses a certain surgical technique, the only notable difference between the techniques being between choosing a reduction procedure, keeping the vasculature and innervation of the areola, or choosing amputation with remodeling of a smaller breast, but with graft free of areola, with the definitive absence of areolar sensitivity.
The reduction procedure for giant breasts is more reconstructive than aesthetic, but the end result must be aesthetic, to succeed in creating breasts of acceptable size for the patient, with beautiful shape, with a normal position of the areola, and no longer is a burden.
Breast reduction surgery can be performed on a smaller volume than the one considered giant, if the woman does not carry her life in normal conditions. There must be a ratio between height, chest size and breast size so that they do not become a burden, for example, in the practice of a sport.
Doctor Carmen Giuglea
Primary Physician plastic surgery, aesthetics and reconstructive microsurgery Perfect Estetic Clinic
Head of Department within St. John’s Hospital
President of the Romanian Society of Aesthetic Surgery
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