Breast reduction

What is the occurrence of oversized breasts?

download1 The oversized-breast condition can occur as a consequence of congenital factors, hormones or obesity. It is also known as breast hypertrophy that typically occurs at puberty and sometimes during pregnancy. There isn’t any medical therapy for breast reduction. Specially designed bras can help relieve some of the discomfort, but they may also cause irritation to the shoulder area. Plastic surgery can treat these conditions.
Candidates for breast reduction surgery are women whose oversized breasts cause health, hygienic and medical problems, interfere with routine activities, disrupt sleep, or suffer related self-consciousness issues.

What are the benefits of breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery is generally performed to create more proportional breasts with your overall body shape, and to ease problems with activities, health, and clothing. If the breasts are not of equal size, this procedure can also help achieve symmetry. The shape and firmness of the breasts can be changed to create a more aesthetic appeal. Nipple surgery may also be performed to reduce areola size. In fact, the breast reduction requires also a breast lift to achieve a fully satisfactory outcome. This process is almost the same as with a breast lift. But in this case a given percentage of the skin, fat and the breast gland are removed.

About the initial consultation

Discuss expectations, goals, risks, costs, and benefits with your surgeon. The procedure should be explained in detail, and all your questions should be answered fully.
After your initial consultation, a breast X-ray (mammogram) should be taken to check for cancer or other abnormalities before surgery, and the plastic surgeon will take measurements and photos of your breasts to document your pre-surgical condition and for comparison after surgery.

Instructions before surgery

Before surgery women have to undergo mammography or ultrasound examination.
Do not eat or drink anything six hours before surgery.
Do not take aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin for two weeks before the surgery.
The surgery of women must be performed outside the menstrual period.
Inform your surgeon and anesthesiologist about your medical problems: hypertension, vascular problems, heart failure, diabetes, lung problems, bleeding problems, epilepsy, neurological problems, allergies to certain drugs, etc.
Tell your surgeon if you’re wearing dental prosthesis or contact lenses.
For smokers, please stop smoking for two weeks before the surgery and avoid smoking at least two weeks after the surgery;
Avoid extra exposure to sun before and after the surgery.
Do not keep a strict diet before the surgery because it may delay the healing procedure.
Should you catch a cold or have any kind infection, the surgery must be postponed.

How is breast reduction performed?

Breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, so you will sleep through the procedure. The breast comprises of glandular tissues, fatty tissues and skin: all three areas are surgically reduced as needed.
Before entering the operating room, the surgeon will ask you to sit upright and surgical markings will be drawn on your breasts for making the correct incisions later during surgery when you are lying down. Then the incision is made along the surgical markings. The procedure takes two to three hours depending on the complexity of the case. The excess skin, fat, and glandular tissues will be extracted. In most cases the nipples are moved to a higher position on the breast, but remain attached to the nerves and blood vessels.

For very large breasts, however, the nipples may need to be moved to a completely new location. In these cases, the nipples will be removed from the underlying connecting tissues, and you will lose sensation in the nipple.
The reduction of breast tissue and skin reduces the weight of the breast and reshapes it into proportion. Upon completion of the procedure, stitches remain around the areola and nipple area, in a vertical line beneath the nipple and horizontally under the breast.

What happens after the surgery?

After the surgery, if there aren’t any complications, you need to spend one to two nights in one of the hospital’s well equipped, comfortable, air-conditioned private rooms. During this time, antibiotics are given to the patient. Due to the incisions and tissue removal, your breasts will be sore, swollen, and bruised. Pain can be treated with prescription medication from your plastic surgeon. After the surgery, you can expect to wear bandages for several days. Refrain from heavy lifting and straining after surgery for three or four weeks. For extra support, a special soft surgical bra or sport bra may be recommended by your doctor. Stitches are removed in two to three weeks.

Complications and Risks

As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications that may include infection, bleeding, or reaction to anesthesia. Immediately, after the surgery, there may be some pain, which can be treated with prescription medication from the plastic surgeon. If the pain is more severe, additional follow-up visits may be scheduled.
List of complications may include: infections, bleeding, skin and tissue necrosis, permanent loss of breast and nipple sensation, breastfeeding will not be possible after surgery, permanent unaesthetic scarring, breast asymmetry, etc.