Breast Reduction

Understanding Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure designed to create smaller, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing breasts by removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. Excessively large and sagging breasts can result from various factors, including genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, significant weight gain, advanced age, or the effects of some medications. This surgery addresses both the physical discomfort and the aesthetic concerns associated with oversized breasts.

Why Consider Breast Reduction? (The Problems It Solves)

Patients often seek breast reduction to alleviate a range of physical and emotional challenges. Common reasons to undergo the procedure include:

• Physical Discomfort: Chronic back, shoulder, and neck pain caused by the weight of the breasts.
• Aesthetic Concerns: A displeasing appearance due to excessive size, sagging, widened areolae, or nipples that point downward.
• Practical Difficulties: Trouble finding comfortably fitting underwear and clothing.
• Skin Issues: Excessive sweating, rashes, and dirt or crust buildup in the fold beneath the breasts.
• Skeletal Deformities: In some long-term cases, the weight can contribute to changes in posture or skeletal shape.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Determining candidacy involves considering both age and overall breast health.

• Age Range: Breast reduction surgery is typically performed on patients aged 17-18 or older, once the breasts have fully developed. However, in certain special circumstances causing significant physical or psychological distress, it can be performed at younger ages.
• Pre-Surgery Evaluation: A thorough breast examination is required before the operation. To ensure the correct surgical decisions are made, this may include an ultrasound and a mammogram, especially for patients over the age of 40 or in situations that appear to pose a risk.

The Surgical Procedure

Surgical Techniques There are several effective techniques for breast reduction. While the exact method is chosen by the surgeon based on the breast size, degree of sagging, and skin elasticity, most techniques involve an incision in a straight line down from the areola or in an inverted "T" shape. The goal is to remove excess tissue and reshape the remaining breast for a lifted, more proportionate contour. Anesthesia and Duration Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthetic and lasts for 3 hours on average. During the procedure, a thin drain is typically inserted into each breast to remove any potential buildup of blood or fluid.

Recovery and Aftercare

The recovery process following breast reduction surgery occurs in stages.

Immediate Post-Op

• The drains placed during surgery remain for 1-2 days. Patients are usually released from the hospital the day after the operation.
• Pain during the first 1-2 days can be easily managed with painkillers.
• You will return to the hospital every 2-3 days for routine check-ups.

The First Few Weeks

• Stitches are typically removed after 10-12 days.
• Patients can often return to their normal daily activities and work after a few days, but must wear a supportive sports bra or a similarly elastic bra recommended by their doctor.
• Avoid lifting or pushing heavy objects for 3-4 weeks.
• Limit strenuous exercise for a few weeks as advised by your surgeon.
• Sexual relations may need to be avoided for at least one week, as stimulation can cause swelling at the incision sites. It is best to avoid all but light touching of the breasts for about 6 weeks.

Longer-Term Healing

• It is normal to experience some loss of feeling in the nipples and surrounding skin due to swelling. This sensation usually returns within 6 weeks.
• Surgical scars will fade significantly over time, but it can take up to a year for them to reach their final appearance.
• Small fluid leakages or scabbing at the incision sites are possible and generally not a cause for concern.

Long-Term Outcomes and Considerations

Breastfeeding: Most modern breast reduction techniques are designed to protect the milk ducts. Approximately 70% of women who undergo this procedure are still able to breastfeed after childbirth. Permanence of Results: The removed breast tissue does not regrow, making the results of the surgery permanent. Health Benefits: Studies have shown that women who undergo breast reduction surgery have a lower lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.