Breast Reduction Surgery : Everything You Need to Know

Breast reduction surgery, commonly referred to as reduction mammaplasty, involves the removal of breast skin, breast tissue, and fat. For people who have large breasts, breast reduction surgery can lessen discomfort and improve appearance.

Breast reduction surgery may also improve a person's sense of self and ability to exercise.

Speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon if you are considering breast reduction surgery. It is critical to comprehend the dangers and potential problems associated with breast reduction surgery. Knowing what the procedure can and cannot do is also crucial.

Reasons for Breast Reduction Surgery

People who have enormous breasts that result in any of the following might consider breast reduction surgery:

• Chronic shoulder, neck, and back pain
• Shoulder ridges left by the bra straps
• Skin discomfort or a persistent rash under the breasts
• Neural pain
• Being unable to participate in some activities
• Large breasts lead to a negative sense of self
• Difficulty slipping into bras and clothes

Breast reduction surgery is typically not advised for those who:

• Smoke
• Are overweight
• Do not want breast scars.
• Any age — occasionally even as a teenager — is acceptable for breast reduction surgery. However, breasts that have not fully developed yet can require more surgery in the future.

Following are some explanations for delaying breast reduction surgery:

• Preparing to start a family. 
• It could be difficult to breastfeed following breast reduction surgery. 
• Using specific surgical procedures can assist to preserve breastfeeding capacity.
• Preparing to reduce weight. 
• Changes in breast size are frequently brought on by weight loss.

Risk Factors

The dangers of breast reduction surgery are the same as those of other major surgeries: bleeding, infection, and a negative anaesthetic reaction. Additional risk factors could be:

• Bruising is a transient condition.
• Scarring
• Incapacity or difficulty breastfeeding
• Size, shape, and appearance variations between the left and right breasts
• Not being satisfied with the outcomes
• Rarely it can happen, where you lose the feeling in your nipples, the skin around them, or both

Preparation

Most likely, your plastic surgeon will:

• Examine your medical background and general health.
• Talk about the size and appearance of your ideal breasts following surgery.
• Describe the procedure, its advantages and disadvantages, including the likelihood of scarring and potential loss of feeling.
• Check and quantify your breasts.
• To keep a record of your medical history, take breast photography.
• Describe the kind of medication that was taken before surgery to put you to sleep.

Organizing a breast reduction procedure may require:

• a breast exam
• Before and after surgery, quit smoking for at least six weeks.
• Avoiding the use of aspirin, NSAIDs, and herbal remedies to reduce bleeding during surgery

You can typically leave the hospital on the day of the procedure. Make arrangements for a ride home from the hospital.

During the Procedure

Your breast size reduction procedure may take a variety of forms. The procedure could involve:

• Incisions in a surgical environment
• Liposuction to eliminate extra breast fat

A surgeon typically:

• creates an incision down each breast, around each nipple, and areola.
• reduces the size of each breast by removing extra skin, fat, and breast tissue.
• resets the nipple and its surrounding area, also known as the areola, and reshapes the breast.
• Normally, the nipple and its vicinity remain joined to the breast. The surgeon might need to remove excessively huge breasts and install a new nipple in their place.

Although your surgeon will work to make your breasts look similar, there may be some variation in breast size and form. The areola's dimensions could also possibly become smaller. Even though the incision scars will eventually fade, they will not disappear entirely.

After the Procedure

The day following surgery:

• Bandages and a surgical bra are used to cover the breasts and keep them in place.
• Under each arm, a catheter can be inserted to remove any surplus blood or fluid.
• You might be given painkillers and antibiotics to lower your risk of infection.

Following surgery, in the first several days or weeks:

• Most likely, the breasts will feel sensitive.
• Potentially swollen and bruised breasts
• To support the breasts, a front-closing surgical bra is utilized.

And then:

While the breasts heal for 4 to 6 weeks, limit your physical activities.

Always use a surgical bra that has been authorised to decrease swelling and promote breast healing.

Over time, scarring disappears. You will need to see your surgeon again soon to see if you have recovered.

Results

Shoulder, neck, and upper back pain can be relieved by a successful breast reduction procedure. Additionally, it might improve one's capacity for physical activity and foster a more positive view of oneself.

Results will be visible immediately, but it may take several months for the swelling to fully subside and for the surgical scars to disappear. Typically, the end result is durable. However, ageing, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and other factors can alter the size and shape of the breasts.

For many women, the results of their surgeries are favourable. They gain from smaller breasts in terms of both health and appearance.

Be mindful that you might need to purchase new clothing to fit your body more comfortably, and that it might take some time for you to mentally get used to your new appearance.

Also bear in mind that the swelling may not go away fully for several months. Do not panic if your breasts do not appear smaller right away. To ensure that your healing is proceeding at the proper rate, check in with your doctor.

You might occasionally require additional surgery to fix any errors or improve the appearance of your breasts.

Complications of Breast Reduction Surgery

Despite the generally low risks associated with breast reduction surgery, some women may experience:

• Reduction or loss of breast or nipple sensation
• Unequal outcomes (one breast or nipple may appear larger or smaller than the other)
• Adverse reactions to the anaesthesia, surgical tape, or medicines used during the procedure scarring issues with breastfeeding
• The long period of recuperation

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