Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery also called the reduction mammaplasty, helps to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue from your breasts. You might go for the surgery if you have large breasts and ease your discomfort due to the same.
Additionally, you can achieve breasts of the size that is proportionate according to your body. It helps you improve your ability to participate in several physical activities and your self-image. You must discuss all the details of the surgery with your certified plastic surgeon including the risks & complications of the procedure.
Preparing for the surgery
You must have a good physical shape so that the healing is proper. Your surgeon might instruct you for the same and you must follow all the instructions by him or her before and after the surgery for best results. Ensure that you do this:
- Gauze, and fresh towels & washcloths
- Loose clothes
- Special ointments recommended by your doctor for applying them at the site of the wound
- Someone to drive you home after the surgery and plan an overnight stay at your home if you wish to go back home the same day.
Why the need for the surgery?
Women having large breasts and looking forward to resolving the issue may opt for Breast Reduction Surgery. These issues may be:
- Chronic back pain
- Neck pain & shoulder pain requiring medications
- Nerve pain
- Lost confidence due to large breasts
- Chronic rashes under the breasts
- Difficulty to fit into the clothes
- Skin irritation in the area of the breasts
- Restricted activity
You must avoid going for the surgery if you smoke, have obesity, wish to avoid scars in the area of your breasts, or suffering from conditions like diabetes or heart problems. You must also avoid undergoing the surgery if you are planning or expecting childbirth and/or weight loss.
What to expect?
Done under general anesthesia, your surgeon will perform the surgery in a hospital.
During the procedure
The procedure includes surgery after making incisions and liposuction for removing excess fat from your breasts. Your surgeon will make an incision around your areola and under each of the breasts. He or she will remove excess breast tissue and excess fats for reducing your breast size. This is followed by reshaping the breasts & repositioning your nipple & areola. Your surgeon will reattach the nipple and areola at a higher position like a skin graft if you have large breasts.
After the procedure
The team of doctors will cover your breasts with a bandage or gauze dressing. Next, they will place a tube under both of your arms to drain excess fluids and blood. Your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics and medications for pain so that there is a reduced risk of infection. Your breasts will feel sensitive and tender for a few days after the surgery. There might be bruising and swelling in the area. To protect your breasts, your surgeon will recommend you an elastic compression bra. You need to avoid physical activity for 2 to 4 weeks to allow healing of your breasts. You might need to go for follow-ups so that your surgeon can remove the stitches and ensure recovery of the area.
Results
You might need to take rest for a week or even more, depending on your condition. You might need to visit your surgeon for follow-up appointments so that he or she can remove the bandages & stitches. You must avoid doing physical activity for at least one month after the surgery. You will experience tiredness and breast pain but taking rest will make you feel better. Your doctor will prescribe you a painkiller for easing your pain during the initial days following the surgery. Also, you must not lift something heavy till you completely recover.
Risks
Scarring is normal after a Breast Reduction Surgery. Although the scars will not go away completely, they will fade over time. If you try to lift heavy objects immediately after the surgery or before your complete recovery, you will observe the worsening of these scars. Other associated risks of this surgery may include one or all given below:
- Infection
- Fever
- Bleeding
- Unusual swelling on the surgical site
- Short-term or long-term loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts
- Blood clots
- Unusual discharge or pus discharge from the incision site
- Redness and tenderness with other signs of infection
- Side effects of anesthesia (medicine to help you sleep during the Breast Reduction Surgery)
- Swelling
- The need for another surgery
- Inadequate healing of the nipple area
- Bruising