Breast Reduction
What is Breast Reduction?
Large breasts can dominate a woman’s appearance and make you look unbalanced and make exercise difficult or even impossible to do. Breast reduction surgery is a procedure for reshaping exceptionally large breasts surgically to increase your comfort and satisfaction. Overly large breasts frequently have a considerable effect on self-confidence and can even affect personal relationships.
The aim of breast reduction surgery is to give you smaller, in shape breasts that are in proportion to the rest of your body.
Benefits of Breast Reduction
Having large breasts may determine a wide range of medical problems such as back and neck pain, skin irritation, breathing problems and other issues. But besides the physical issues there are also psychological problems related to the size of the breasts. A woman with large breasts may feel frustrated by the way she looks, diminishing her self confidence. So, it appears that the benefits of breast reduction surgery can be both physical and psychological.
The goal of breast reduction is usually to achieve the following:
- Having smaller, lighter and firmer breasts
- Relieving the pain associated with heavy breasts
- Improving asthma
- Re-establishing the breasts proportion with the rest of the body
- Reducing the size of the areola
- Equalizing different size breasts
- Removing the physical discomfort in general
The psychological benefits are important as well. Breast Reduction can improve a woman’s self esteem and cure the psychological trauma.
How is the procedure done?
Excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed and the nipples and remaining underlying tissues are then moved to a new higher location. The skin from both sides of the breast is then brought down and around the areola shaping the new contour of the breast and sutured.
How long will the result last?
The results of breast reduction surgery will be long-lasting. Your new breast size should help relieve you from the pain and physical limitations experienced prior to breast reduction. Your better proportioned figure will likely enhance your self image and boost your self-confidence. However, over time your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity.
What can I expect from the surgery?
Your expectations need to be realistic. Most patients are pleased with the outcome and find they have smaller, lighter, and firmer breasts. You will be freed from the physical discomfort of large breasts and your body will be better proportioned therefore in most cases giving a new-found confidence.
What is the recovery time?
Depending on the individual patient, recovery times will vary. You should be up and about in a day or two but your breasts may still ache occasionally for a couple of weeks. Most patients will return to work with 14 days but this is down to the individual. Avoid any strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks and limit your exercises to stretching and swimming.
What will happen in the recovery period?
The breast will be bandaged for support and can be removed a day or two after surgery but you will have to continue wearing a surgical bra 24 hours a day for 1-2 weeks while the swelling and bruising subside. There will be considerable swelling and bruising of the breasts which usually lasts 2-3 weeks. Almost all the stitches used will simply dissolve but if there are any clips they will be removed after 5 days of surgery. The scars are quite lengthy and may take many months or years to settle. You will have follow-up visits in the months after surgery to check on your progress.
Will I be able to breast feed after my surgery?
Breast feeding may be possible after this surgery due to the modern techniques. If the patient wants to be able breast feed, it is advisable to mention this fact to the cosmetic surgeon.
