Breast Reduction
What is Breast Reduction surgery?
Breast Reduction, also known as Reduction Mammoplasty, is a Breast Aesthetic surgery that aims to create appealing breasts and increase the mobility of the patient through removing the excess fat, breast tissue, and skin from the breasts.
Why is Breast Reduction performed?
Bigger breasts often sag and create an appearance of being older. And although Breast Reduction can be performed cosmetically, it is often performed to alleviate pain as well. Weight of the breasts might cause the center of gravity to change, cause pain on the neck, shoulder, or the back and restrict movements. Breast Reduction surgery can give an aesthetically appealing to the breasts while alleviating health problems big breasts cause.
What are the conditions for Breast Reduction surgery?
Breast Reduction surgery is accessible to many with only a small number of requirements, it is recommended to patients who:
- Are healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia.
- Are above the age of 18 or above the age of 15 with parental consent and the doctor’s recommendation.
What Are The Things To Be Considered Before Breast Reduction?
Before the surgery, the patient should:
- Be at the hospital a day before their surgery for the pre operative tests to be performed.
- Stop smoking and consuming alcohol at least 2 weeks before the surgery to alleviate the risk of a blood clot.
- Avoid medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) for two weeks before and after surgery. These medications may increase the risk of internal bleeding. Patients should confirm each medication and supplement they wish to take with their Patient Coordinator.
- Stop taking Multivitamin supplements 7 days prior to the surgery, and if it contains vitamin K should not be used for 30 days following the surgery.
- Stop taking oral contraceptives 30 days before the surgery.
Also, the patient's body will be examined and measured, and the surgeon will draw lines on the body to plan out where the incisions will be made.
How is Breast Reduction performed?
The surgery starts with general anesthesia being administered. Incisions around the nipple that extend down through the breast are made. Excess breast tissue, skin, and fat are removed, reducing the volume of the breast. Additionally, Liposuction might be performed at this time. After the removal of the excess tissue and fat, the breast and the nipple are reshaped to an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Depending on the initial breast size, the Plastic Surgeon might remove the nipples at the beginning of the surgery and reattach them at this point in the surgery. The incisions are then sealed with sutures and a drain might also be placed to avoid fluid accumulation.
The hospital stay of a Breast Reduction surgery, on average, is 5 to 6 days.
What are The Things To Be Considered After Breast Reduction?
After the surgery the breasts tissue will be supported with bandages and plasters, the patient should take care to:
- Avoid strenuous physical activities.
- Avoid strenuous activities or pressure to the breast area.
- Have a healthy diet as it will make the healing process faster.
- Take their prescribed medication as instructed by their doctor.
- Wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes.
- Avoid lying face down as it will put pressure in the breasts.
At first arm movements will cause pain, but the pain will decrease and completely disappear within a few weeks. The patient can return to their daily life within 2 to 3 weeks.
What Are The Risks of Breast Reduction?
Risks associated with Breast Reduction include, but are not limited to:
- Fluid accumulation near the skin, Seroma
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Scarring
- Changes in skin sensation
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia