Large Reduction Mammoplasty, Raleigh, NC*

This is a 47-year-old woman with a long-standing history of neck and back pain related to her very large breasts. She wore a size 40K cup brassiere. She had exhausted medical management including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and weight loss. Her large pendulous breasts prevented her from exercising as much as she wished and made it difficult for her to maintain conditioning. She underwent a inverted T type breast reduction with the removal of 1200 grams on the right breast and 1335 grams on the left. This was a reduction of over 5.5 pounds of breast tissue. She had near immediate improvement in neck and back pain and went down to a D cup. An inverted T pattern or Anchor type scar is the most commonly utilized reduction pattern. It was Popularized by Dr.Robert Wise, a Houston plastic surgeon, who presented his technique to other plastic surgeons in 1956. It is therefore called the Wise pattern. He arrived at the Technique by observing dress patterns used to design and tailor women's clothing. It is particularly useful for a very large breasts. Lesser incisions such as the vertical technique or L shape scar are more commonly used for smaller reductions.