Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery
Breasts that are larger and sagging than normal may be related to hereditary reasons, pregnancy, breastfeeding or being overweight. Breast size is a health problem as well as an aesthetic one. Large breasts cause back pain, bra straps cutting into the shoulders, scars under the breasts and restrictions on physical activities.
Solving these problems is only possible with breast reduction surgery. It is not possible to permanently change the size of the breast (enlarge or reduce) with any medication or hormone.
Pre-Surgery Period
If you are considering breast reduction surgery; you should consult an Aesthetic Plastic Surgery specialist. In the first examination, you should clearly explain your expectations from the surgery to your surgeon. In this examination, issues such as the size and shape of your breasts, the condition of your skin, your age, whether you are going to get married and have children, and the new location of the nipple will be discussed with you.
Preparing for Surgery
Before the surgery, your doctor will ask you to do some blood tests. Breast ultrasonography and mammography are also among the tests to be performed. Conditions such as high blood pressure, smoking, medication habits, diabetes should be discussed. You will need someone to help you on the day of surgery and the following few days.
Surgery
In the surgery performed for breast reduction, excess fat and breast tissue in the breast are removed and the nipple is brought to its normal place. Reduction surgery performed with an inverted T-shaped incision under the breast is preferred for extremely large and sagging breasts. There are also breast reduction surgeries performed with an incision at the nipple, and this method leaves much fewer surgical scars. However, this method can only be applied to slightly large and sagging breasts. The duration of breast reduction surgery is approximately 3 hours. The patient stays in the hospital for at least one night after the surgery.
Post-Surgery Period
Tubes are usually placed in both breasts to allow the blood accumulated inside to drain out, and these are removed after 3-4 days. The stitches are removed on the 12th-14th day. The patient is made to wear a sports bra for 6 weeks. There may be swelling in the early period, numbness in the nipple, and ecchymosis (purple appearance due to bleeding) on the skin. These disappear on their own in a short time. The patient can return to work after a week, and it is recommended that she stay away from heavy sports for 3 months. Aesthetic breast reduction surgery is generally a surgery that provides good and permanent results, improves the mental health of the person and her partner, makes them more attached to life, and especially facilitates the woman’s clothing style. The operated breast tissue maintains its shape for a long time. However, weight changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding and gravity can cause an increase in volume and sagging in the breast.
Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery
Do not take aspirin or similar medications 10 days before the surgery, as these medications can increase the tendency to bleed. Every surgical procedure heals by leaving scars. There will be more or less surgical scars in breast reduction surgeries. Your surgeon will do his best to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. These scars will remain swollen and red for a few months, then become less obvious, but in any case, the scars will remain in an area that can be hidden with a bra or bikini. The position of the breast and nipple may not be completely symmetrical at the end of the surgery. Since most of the milk ducts leading to the nipple are removed during the surgery, breastfeeding may not be possible later.
