Breast Reduction
Breast size is largely dependent upon genetics although weight fluctuation as well as pregnancy and breast feeding do have an impact. There are several reasons why an individual may decide to receive a breast reduction; the chief of these being discomfort due to the large size of the breasts. Over time, large breasts may lead to back and neck pain as well as rashes underneath the breast. Some women also receive breast reductions for psychological reasons as they may be self-conscious or may be experiencing unwanted attention or inappropriate comments due to their breast size. A third reason that a breast reduction may be performed is to correct breast asymmetry. That is, if one breast is of a different size or shape than the other.
During the breast reduction procedure, or reduction mammoplasty, unwanted breast skin and tissue is removed with the nipple areola complex remaining intact. The patient is placed under general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure. An incision in the shape of a T is typically made underneath the nipple and areola although the type and location of the incision can vary. Through the incision, the excess fat and skin are removed, the breast is reshaped and the nipple areola area is relocated to the center of the now smaller breasts. It is essential that the nipple and areola area remain connected as blood flow is essential for its survival. It is very rare for the blood supply to the nipple areola complex to be severed but loss of blood could very likely lead to its loss. After the surgery, discomfort will be felt for approximately three days and a secure bra should be worn for the entire period of healing. Because of the swelling which occurs after the surgery, it might not be obvious what the patient’s final bra size will be until the inflammation has gone down and the breast is healed.
Post Surgery Scarring
As is the case with any breast surgery, scarring is inevitable. In order to minimize their appearance, dissolving sutures are used and are placed underneath the skin. It is important to note also that different people scar in different ways depending on their body’s ability to produce scar tissue. Therefore, some patients’ scars will naturally appear more visible than others. As is the case with any form of scarring, the area will appear red and raised following the procedure but will fade as time progresses becoming noticeably paler. However, some individuals are prone to the stretching of scars. If this occurs, the scars may remain red and itchy for a longer period of time.
Another possible side effect of the procedure is temporary loss of feeling in the nipple and areola area which can sometimes also spread to other parts of the breast. This, however, can often be avoided and many surgeons are successful in doing so. Also, as is the case with any surgery, excessive bleeding, delayed recuperation, or infection may occur. The area in which the breast will be most likely to present healing problems is in and around the scar line where the incision was made. Although healing may be delayed for a variety of reasons, the incision is usually able to heal naturally without any further procedure necessary. Infection can also postpone recuperation. This can usually be successfully treated with a round of antibiotics but infection can also lead to a more visible scar.
The shape of the breast may also appear somewhat strange after the procedure is complete with the breast appearing flatter than normal. This shaping is purposely done by the surgeon in order to take into account the effect that time and gravity will naturally have on the breasts. Over time, the breasts will begin to drop and it typically takes between three to six months for the breasts to appear as they naturally would.
It is recommended that patients cease smoking and using contraceptive pills before the procedure as smoking can increase the likelihood of post-surgical chest problems and the use of contraceptive pills has been linked with an increased risk of developing post-surgical thrombosis in the legs.
Breastfeeding after Breast Reduction Surgery
For women that have or are planning on having children, it is important to be aware that following the procedure breast feeding will most likely not be an option. During the procedure, the ducts which carry milk will be severed from the nipple and milk stores will naturally begin to diminish. There is no indication whatsoever that breast reduction causes breast cancer and, unlike breast augmentation, this procedure does not in any way affect an individual’s ability to receive an accurate mammogram.
Are There Any Long Term Effects of Breast Reduction Surgery
The breast reduction procedure is usually very successful with few patients reporting any long-term side effects other than scarring. However, there are a couple items that each patient should keep in mind before deciding to have the procedure performed. As mentioned before, the size and shape of the “new” breast will not be evident until after the breast is healed. The skin of each patient is very different and, because of this, over time the quality of the breast may change. For example, some individuals have skin with greater elasticity than others which might lead to eventual drooping of the breasts. If drooping of the breasts occurs and a patient requests to have a tightening of the tissue performed, then an additional cost would be tied to this as it was not a result of the surgeon’s error but of the natural quality of a person’s skin.
If the surgery was performed in order to compensate for discrepancies between the size and shape of the patient’s breasts, it is possible that the breasts will still not be perfectly symmetrical. Also, if the breasts began at different sizes, the scars beneath the breasts may not be identical although the surgeon will attempt to make the incisions as uniform as possible.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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