Breast reduction is a major surgery that can help make your breasts feel smaller, lighter, and give them a better shape. If you are uncomfortable with the size of your breasts or if your breasts are causing problems such as back pain, you can have breast reduction surgery.
What happens before breast reduction surgery?
Before deciding whether a patient is a candidate for this type of procedure, a detailed medical history is taken, including the age of breast development, previous or anticipated pregnancies or breastfeeding, weight change, smoking history, and general medical condition. A family history of breast cancer is also important. A thorough pre-operative assessment is essential, including a physical examination of size, shape, elasticity, laxity, cracks, redness, asymmetry, masses, and consistency. The position of the nipple-areola complex relative to the inframammary fold is evaluated. Measurements are made to assess the degree of vertical correction. Before the operation, breast ultrasonography or breast MRI is requested from the patients.
What happens during breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. In general, the operation includes:
- Bringing the nipple to its new position
- Removing excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin from your breasts
- Reshaping the remaining breast tissue
How is life after surgery?
The operation takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the degree of breast reduction. You usually need to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights. It may take 4-6 weeks to fully recover after breast reduction surgery. You may need to take 1-2 weeks off from work. Stretching, heavy exercise, and heavy lifting should be avoided for up to 4 weeks after the operation.
You can always consult experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Umut Suadiye to learn more about your personalized aesthetic needs.
References:
Sachs D, Szymanski KD. Breast Reduction. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Last Accessed: May 2023.
NHS, Breast Reduction, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast-reduction-female. Last Accessed: May 2023.
