Indications for breast reduction
Breast reduction surgery may be advised to women with very large breasts in order to relieve back and neck pain as well as other medical and psychological problems caused by excessive breast weight and size. Usually this surgery is performed for physical relief rather than cosmetic improvements. Breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed or until a woman’s breasts are fully developed.
Before the procedure
The surgeon carefully examines your breasts and discusses with you risks, limitations, your expectations and possible outcomes of the surger. It is also a good opportunity to decide on anaesthesia. Make sure you understand the procedure and its results.
It may be required that you have a mammogram (breast X-ray) made before the surgery.
Breast reduction surgery
Breast reduction is also called reduction mammoplasty. It removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts making them smaller, lighter and better-shaped. When only extra fat needs to be removed breast reduction surgery can be replaced by liposuction.
Breast reduction plastic surgery is generally performed as an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia. The procedure takes two to four hours. After the surgery you may need to stay at a hospital for two or three days.
During the surgery the incision is made around the areola, downward and following the crease beneath the breast. Extra tissue, fat and skin are removed and the edges of the incision are joined to form a new shape of the breasts. If the breasts are very large or pendulous, the nipples and areolas are moved to a higher position.
Stitches are usually located around the areola, as a vertical line from areola down and along the lower crease of the breast.
After the surgery
The surgery can reduce breast volume and improve its shape, ease spinal pains, facilitate medical and X-ray examination of mammary glands, allow for many physical activities. The recovery time varies depending on the amount of the tissue removed, age and other personal factors.
Immediately after the surgery you will be wrapped in elastic bandage with a small tube in each breast to allow blood and fluids drainage for the first couple of days. Some pain and discomfort can be reduced by pain killers if prescribed by your surgeon.
The bandages are removed in a day or two following the surgery and the stitches in 1-3 weeks. You may expect some pain and swelling during your first menstruation after the procedure but it will pass in a few days.
Many breast reduction patients can return to work in just a few days after the surgery but any heavy, strenuous activity should be avoided for several weeks. Surgery results will be visible in a few weeks when the swelling and bruising disappears. However it may take from six months to a year until your breasts completely adjust to their new shape and size. You too, will need time to adapt to your new image but it is definitely worth it.
If you have more questions about a breast reduction plastic surgery, feel free to contact us.