Breast Reduction

What is a Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is clinically termed as mammaplasty. This procedure aims at reducing the size of your breasts so that they're proportionate to your body. Breast reduction is ideal for women who have a large breast size and suffer from neck and shoulder pain due the weight of their breasts. This procedure is also ideal for women who are extremely conscious of the size of their bust line, or women who are physically unable to move around freely due to the size of their breasts.

How old should I be in order to undergo Breast Reduction?

This procedure can be performed on women of all ages. However, it's best to wait until you have children before you undergo breast reduction. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the size and shape of your breasts. Although you could get this procedure done before childbirth, it's wise to wait until after you've stopped breastfeeding your baby.

What should I expect at the first consultation?

Your plastic surgeon will ask you about your medical history and examine your breasts at the first consultation. The surgeon will also carefully evaluate the size and shape of your breasts and the placement of the aureoles. Pictures of your breasts may be taken for medical purposes. It's important for you to inform the doctor about any medications you're taking. Also talk to the doctor about any weight loss issues you've been facing and if your breasts have become smaller in size following weight loss. Keep the surgeon informed about what you would like to achieve through breast reduction surgery so that he or she understands your expectations and tells you whether it's feasible or not.  

What does the Breast Reduction surgery entail?

Breast reduction surgery involves the removal of excess fat cells, skin and glandular tissues from the breasts. To perform this procedure, the surgeon will either give you general anesthesia or sedate you intravenously. The surgeon will then make several incisions on your breast (depending upon the size and shape of your breasts) and then remove excess fat cells and tissues. If the breasts are very large in size, the surgeon may have to remove and reposition the nipples and the aureoles. Breast reduction also allows the surgeon to reduce the size of the aureoles. Once this is done, the surgeon will use sutures to hold the incisions together. These sutures are embedded into the breast tissues. Although the incision lines remain visible after surgery, they fade away with the passage of time.

When will I be able to resume normal activities?

You should be able to get back to your normal self a few weeks after the surgery. Make sure you ask your doctor pertinent questions regarding post-surgical care. You will have a few bandages after surgery, so ask your doctor when they will have to be removed. If you were given any stitches, you may be called for a followup check and subsequent removal of stitches. You will feel a certain amount of discomfort in the weeks that follow your breast reduction surgery. If you notice anything unusual, or if you're in extreme discomfort, don't hesitate to call your doctor.

Are there any risks to a Breast Reduction?

Some of the common risks that are associated with breast reduction surgery include infections, severe bleeding and hypersensitivity to anesthetic agents. In some cases one breast may look a little different from the other. If your breasts don't look perfectly symmetrical, the surgeon will make minor corrections at a later stage.

Breast reduction surgery will leave you with dramatic results. It may take some time getting used to the new shape and size of your breasts, but to prevent yourself from facing any complications, talk to the surgeon about pre- and post-surgical procedures you will have to follow.

Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.