BREAST REDUCTION
If you are thinking about Breast Reduction surgery
The size of a woman's breasts may be determined by several factors such
as inherited genes, body weight and hormonal influences. The problem
of large breasts may cause difficulty at all ages and these are chiefly
backache, neck pain, grooves in the shoulders from bra straps, rashes
under the breasts and the feeling of self consciousness.
Large
breast size can attract unwanted attention from the opposite sex.
Women also find exercise difficult and clothing difficult to fit.
Breast Reduction - What can be done
Reduction mammoplasty is an operation which removes excess breast
tissue, fat and skin from the breasts.
The breasts are reshaped and the nipples repositioned to form newer
smaller breasts. This should result in more attractive breasts and
reduce many of the problems mentioned previously.
There
are several different surgical designs to reshape the breasts, all
of which involve a scar around the nipple and coloured skin around
it (the areola) and most will involve vertical scars which will join
onto a horizontal scar in the fold of the breast in a T shape.
Each
method will use different scars and will have advantages and disadvantages
and your surgeon may select with your approval the best technique
in your particular case.
Reduction
mammoplasty may be used to correct asymmetry of the breasts where
one breast is very much larger than the other and where it is considered
the least normal of the two.
What
to expect after Breast Reduction
Apart from the change in shape and reduction in size the most obvious
consequences are the scars. These are designed to be invisible whilst
wearing normal clothing and as far as possible are designed to lie
under the average bra or bikini top. Over the months following surgery
the scars will fade from being red, possibly thick and uncomfortable
to becoming much paler and less obvious.
The scars
will always be visible when clothing is not worn and will vary from
one woman to another. In some they may be very thin, in others they
may stretch and become quite red and possibly ugly. In the vast majority
of women, however, the scars are an acceptable and small trade-off
for the benefit of dealing with the problem of large breasts.
Few women
are able to breast feed following breast reduction surgery as the
nipples are separated from the milk ducts and at the time of pregnancy
the milk supply will gradually dry up, sometimes with the assistance
of hormone treatment. Pregnancy will not be affected by breast reduction
but young women may wish to take the fact that they are unable to
breast feed into account before having this operation.
The nipples
are likely to be less sensitive following surgery because nerves are
divided and numbness can extend over part of the breast as well.
Will
the improvements last?
Unless your operation is done at an age when your breasts are still
growing, they should not re-grow afterwards. They will, however, increase
if you either put on weight or become pregnant and decrease in size
if you lose weight. Even normal breasts have the tendency to droop
with time and you can expect some changes in shape to occur after
reduction mammoplasty.
What to expect before the Breast Reduction operation
You will be admitted the day before or on the day of surgery. While
in hospital and before your operation you will be seen by both your
surgeon and the anaesthetist. The staff on the ward will help you
to settle in. You will be fitted with a pair of elastic stockings
and have an injection which can help to reduce the risk of developing
clots in your veins after surgery. The operation is carried out under
general anaesthetic and when you wake at the end of the operation
there will be some discomfort which will last for two or three days.
You will be given pain killing injections or tablets.
Drainage
tubes are not regularly used. If used they will be removed within
a short period of time. You will need to remain in hospital for one
or two days. All stitches used will be dissolvable.
At home
you will be tired and require help at home for a period of time from
two to six weeks depending on your age and fitness and home circumstances.
A well
fitting sports bra will need to be worn following surgery but because
of post-operative swelling the final size of your breasts may not
be obvious for several weeks. There is likely to be some tenderness
and lumpiness of the breasts for several weeks or months following
surgery but there is no reason why you cannot sunbathe and go swimming
once the scars have fully healed.
What are the limitations in Breast Reduction surgery?
It is important that you discuss thoroughly with your surgeon beforehand
the size of breasts that you wish to achieve. If you wish for a large
reduction you must remember that the shape and cosmetic quality of
your breasts may be less than otherwise. It is also possible that
there may be a degree of unevenness, although this is often less than
existed before the surgery.
In women
with very large breasts the benefits of a significant reduction may
outweigh the potential imperfections of poor shape and loss in nipple
function and sensitivity. In women with breasts which are only slightly
larger than normal very careful thought must be given to the scarring,
potential shape and size and outcome of the surgery may not be as
cosmetically pleasing as a normal breast appearance.
What are the risks of Breast Reduction operation?
Any major operation with a general anaesthetic carries a small risk
– these will have been discussed with you specifically before
you operation by Mrs Karanlik.




How
to prepare for the Breast Reduction operation?
It is probably a good idea to see your general practitioner prior
to the surgery, particularly if you have other medical problems. Your
surgeon is likely to recommend that you reduce weight if you are overweight
and advise you on risks if you are on the contraceptive pill.
Smoking
does affect the healing of the breast wounds and you should make attempts
to reduce your consumption or give it up.
Breast Reduction - After your Surgery
After surgery, you'll find steri-strips over the scars with dressings
over these. Finally the sports bra which you brought in with you will
be over the top of this. The dressings will be removed 24 hours postoperatively
but the steri-strips should be left in place until you are reviewed
in out-patients 10 days later.
You may
feel some discomfort for the first couple of days - especially when
you move around or cough. This will last for a week or so. Your surgeon
will prescribe medication to lessen the discomfort.
You'll
probably find it most comfortable to continue wearing the sports bra
around the clock for 2-3 weeks, until the swelling and bruising subside.
Your stitches will not need to be removed as they will be dissolvable.
If your
breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moistueriser
several times a day, but be sure to keep away from the suture area.
You may get the wounds wet after 48 hours. A shower is best or a bath
splashing the water up over the scars. Be sure to dry the scar-line
afterwards and do not soak the wounds.
Your first menstruation following surgery may cause your breasts to
swell and hurt. You may also experience random, shooting pains for
a few months. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples
and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This usually
fades over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it
may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
Getting back to Normal
Although you will be up and about next day, your breasts may still
ache occasionally for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting
or pushing anything heavy for three or four weeks.
Your
surgeon will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal
activities. Most women can return to work (if it's not too strenuous)
and social activities in about two weeks. But you'll have much less
stamina for several weeks, and should limit your exercises to stretching,
bending, and swimming until your energy level returns. You'll also
need the sports bra for support.
A small
amount of fluid draining from your surgical wound, or some crusting,
is normal. If you have any unusual symptoms, such as bleeding or severe
pain, do not hesitate to call our office.
Your new look following Breast Reduction
Although much of the swelling and bruising will disappear in the first
few weeks, it may be six months to a year before your breasts settle
into their new shape. Even then, their shape may fluctuate in response
to your hormonal shifts, weight changes and pregnancy.
Your
surgeon will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous
as possible. Still, it is important to remember that breast reduction
scars are extensive and permanent. They often remain lumpy and red
for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually
fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be
placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.
Of all
plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results are one of the
quickest body-image changes. You will get rid of the physical discomfort
of large breasts, your body will look better proportioned, and clothes
will fit you better.