Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)
Surgical reduction of the size of your breasts
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Oversized breasts can be the cause of other physical and psyhcological problems, including lower back pains and worries about your general appearance. Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammaplasty, is designed to reduce the size of your breasts in order to allieviate these problems.
Breast reduction surgery can also be performed on individual breasts in the case where there is some asymmetry between the two breasts.
The procedure can last up to four hours.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and involves repositioning the nipple and its surrounding tissue and removing excess fat cells from the lower breast and underarm area. The goal is to achieve a natural shape to the breast and retain as much sensation and function as possible.
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You will be required to stay for between 1 and 3 days, and stitches are usually removed between 1 and 2 weeks later. Typically you are required to rest for between 2 and 6 weeks after the operation.
There can be significant scarring depending on the quality of the surgical stitching, and there can be up to three different scars per breast depending on the exact procedure required. There can be excess skin left after the breast reduction itself which can require another operation later on to remedy. There is also the risk of loss of sensation and function in the nipple itself.
Cosmetic Surgery in Greece
A guide to plastic surgery regulations in Greece
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Organizations
The Ministry of Health and Social Cohesion decides on overall health policy issues and on the national strategy for health.
The Greek (Pan-hellenic) Medical Association (PHMA) represents the professional interests of phyisicans with Greece. It is currently working to create an online register of qualified members. The PHMA is divided into regional chambers and a doctor must register with the local chamber in which they are to practice.
The Hellenic Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery is the main society for plastic surgeons in Greece and is directly affiliated with the European Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
Education
The length of training including practical experience for a doctor in Greece is 6 years. The title awarded is Ptychion latrikis.
Plastic Surgery is a recognized specialty with a minimun of 6 years additional training as a registrar. This consists of 2 years of General Surgery, 3 years Plastic Surgery, and 2 single semester courses chosen from: Gynecology, Urology, Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Children Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. Speciailists are issued a "Titlos Iatrikis Eidikotitas" (certificate of medical specialisation) on compeletion of their period as a registrar.
Continuing education is promoted by Greece's hospitals and professional societies and is seen as an essential ethical responsibility.
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Complaints
Compliants against public institutions may be addressed to The Greek Ombudsman, an independant authority. Complaints may be addressed to the Greek Medical Association to be judged by its Ethical Committee.
A physician may also be judged by the ethical committee of any professional society to which they belong, though these will only have the power to censure or suspend membership within the scope of the society - not their activities in general practice.
Storage and Access to Medical Records
As a member of the Council of Europe, Greece is governed by the rules of that organization on the protection of personal data. Greece has its own independant Data Protection Authority. Access to data is also regulated by a number of laws, allowing individuals to access data held on them by public institutions.
Doctors have responsibilities to their patients beyond these regulations. They should co-operate with resonable requests for medical records as quickly as possible. There is a responsibility to store patients data safely and to store it for the period of time of its relevance.
Resources
The Ministry of Health and Social Cohesion
17, Aristotelous Street, GR-101 87 Athens, Greece
email: info@mohaw.gr, minister@mohaw.gr
website: http://www.mohaw.gr/
contact: Mr. Dimitris L. Avramopoulos, Minister of Health and Social Solidarity
The Hellenic Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
website: http://www.hespras.gr/
check membership: Here
Pan-hellenic Medical Association
website: http://www.pis.gr/
email: Pisinfo@pis.gr
local chambers: http://www.pis.gr/medassociations
recognised specialties: http://www.pis.gr/press/inter210208eng.html
Data Protection Agency
website: http://www.dpa.gr/ (in Greek)