Beginners Guide to Breast Reduction Surgery

Beginners Guide to Breast Reduction Surgery

Why do women choose breast reduction surgery?

Many women with heavier, larger breast can experience great discomfort.

Back muscles may ache due to supporting the heavier breasts. There may be breast pain from sports or even everyday activities. Bra straps may feel pinching on the shoulders. Clothing can feel awkward or as though the breasts are too exposed in skimpier styles. Pretty underwear may be difficult to find in anything like a comfortable size. Finally, sports and beachwear may not offer the support needed, or again leave the wearer feeling too exposed.

The Procedure

Each surgery will be slightly different, but the procedure commonly has some general features. First the patient will meet with the surgeon for advice on the surgery itself, and the post-operative recovery period, including the purchase of a properly supportive bra.

Always under general anaesthetic, the procedure generally requires three hours surgical time. Commonly, am anchor-shaped incision is made around the nipple and then down the breast to the crease underneath.

The surgeon then removes excess adipose (fatty) tissue plus repositions the nipple and areola (the dark circle around it). Repositioning is essential to create a natural looking new breast. Incisions are closed with sutures which stay in for around 7 to 14 days.

The Recovery

The hospital stay is generally 1 or 2 days after surgery and pain relief and antibiotic medication is routinely offered as required. Drainage tubes are very important – they are inserted during the operation and remain in place until hospital discharge. This is to ensure any blood leakage is collected.

The surgeon should give precise advice on all aspects of the recovery period. Patients generally wear the chosen support bra for a prescribed time and must not wear underwired bras until instructed this is acceptable. Time off work varies often between 2 and 4 weeks according to occupation, plus individual healing rates. Strenuous exercise must be avoided for some weeks. Attending ongoing appointments with the surgical team to monitor wound healing progress is extremely important and should never be missed.

Expert Advice

Any type of surgery carries a degree of risk. Breast surgeries are some of the most widely practiced and well documented cosmetic procedures; however expert advice must always be sought. Many professional cosmetic surgery bodies advocate choosing a surgeon and their team by qualification, specialised training and experience in the procedure and not simply by the ‘best price’. Cosmetic surgery is not general surgery, in the sense that extremely specialised further training is required for good surgical results.

DISCLAIMER: No information here can be used as medical advice or used to make a healthcare decision! Please only consult qualified physicians for advice.

Albert D. Sant