All 3 Clinics that provide Breast Reduction in South Africa

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.

Length

The procedure can last up to four hours.

Procedure

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.

Recovery

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.

Risks

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.

Organizations

The South African Ministry of Health holds overall responsibility for health directives and policy. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a politically independant body that organizes and regulates South Africa's professions, including its medical ones. A full register of Physicans qualified to practice in South Africa is maintained by the HPCSA.

The Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of South Africa represents over 98% of registered plastic surgeons in South Africa. It has an address book to locate members. Many plastic surgeons are also registered with the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic surgeons and again details can be verified online.

Education

The basic medical degree takes 6 years. After this a doctor may become a Registrar within one of the specialties recognised by the HPCSA. Specialty training in Plastic Surgery takes a minimum of 4 addtional years of training as a Registrar.

There is an ethical and statutory obligation to engage in continuing education - referred to as Continuing Professional Development. The HPCSA monitors courses that award continuing education units (CEUs), a plastic surgeon has to maintain a balance of 60 CEUs in a 24 month period. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of the licence to practice.

In addition to these mandatory requirements the professional associations organize lectures and courses to enable their members to further enhance their surgical skills.

Complaints

An ombudsman deals with complaints regarding the medical profession. Findings of the ombudsman may be passed to disiplinary committees organized by the HPCSA. The committees have the power to censure, fine or suspend the right to practice.

Civil proceedings may also be persued and if diciplinary proceeding find behaviour that is criminal in nature they will pass the case to the civil courts.

Storage and Access to Medical Records

The HPCSA publishes guidelines for the storage of medical records - these reflect statutory requirements and the ethical values of the medical profession.

Medical records are generally stored for a minimum of 6 years though some conditions may require the indefinite storage of information. The National Health Act states that all patients have a right to confidentiality - It is the responsibility of the physican to ensure the safety of their patients records.

Additionally the Health Act and the ethical responsiblities of the physican guarrantee a patients access to their medical records and copies of scans, x-rays etc... at a resonable cost.

Resources

Medical Schools directory on iime.org:
http://www.iime.org/database/africa/southafrica.htm

Ministry of Health website:
http://www.doh.gov.za/

The Health Professions Council of South Africa website:
http://www.hpcsa.co.za/

Documents on ethical and professional conduct can be found here.

Recognized qualifications for the practice of Plastic and Reconstructive can be found on the HPCSA's sight here.

Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of South Africa website:
http://www.plasticsurgeons.co.za/

The biggest choice of breast reduction clinics in South Africa with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best breast reduction for you in South Africa.