Breast reduction is a procedure that is performed for giving breasts a better shape and also making the breasts smaller. Because of their total weight, large breasts can cause physical discomfort. Large breasts also challenge people mentally, as they involve the risk of creating a disproportionate body appearance. So, females who suffer from big breasts find this operation very beneficial.
What Happens in the Pre-Surgery Stage?
The most important factor before breast reduction surgery is the choice of a plastic surgeon and hospital/clinic. Because choosing the right surgeon will have a direct impact on the results. Before the surgery, the following will be done:
Physical examination: Your general health status is checked, and mammogram is monitored, and your blood is taken. The doctor examines your breast size, breast tissue structure, and fat ratio. As a result of these, a decision is made on how to perform the surgery.
Medical history: Your medical records are obtained, and your past biopsy and mammography results, if any, are examined. You will also be asked at this stage to tell whether you have a family history of breast cancer.
Do's and Don'ts: You may be asked to stop taking medications such as aspirin or blood thinners before surgery. You may also need to not smoke or drink alcohol. The surgeon will give you all the information about the whole process.
Breast Reduction Treatment
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. In the scope of the medical operation, incisions are made first. During the treatment, the position of the nipple is changed, excess fat is removed, sagging skin and glandular tissue are also removed, and the remaining breast tissues are reshaped. Finally, the incision lines are sutured. Although the duration of the operation is 2-3 hours on average, this time length can change. Because both the breast tissue to be taken and the amount of fat and the degree of breast reduction affect the duration. In addition, the doctor's ability and experience will also be determinative. The patient is discharged from the hospital 1 to 2 days after the surgery, and the patient is asked to follow the doctor's instructions at home in order to achieve both a quick recovery and a comfortable postoperative period.
Recovery From Breast Reduction
After breast reduction surgery, medical tubes are attached to the breasts to be removed 1-2 days later. The purpose of these tubes is to drain excess blood. The patient is faced with regional pain and swelling in the first few days after surgery, but these are temporary. To relieve the pain, your doctor will prescribe painkillers and the swelling will go away in 2-3 months. Full recovery happens between 3 and 6 weeks after the possible complications such as swelling have healed.
- You may be asked to wear a medical support bra,
- You should avoid strenuous physical activities,
- It is important that you do not stretch the stitches, which will remain for several weeks,
- You should go to doctor appointments and listen to your health care professional's instructions.
Reducing the larger breast size has both functional and aesthetic advantages. When the breast tissue that challenges the body is reduced, back pain relieves and the capacity to perform physical activities increases. In addition, the physical appearance of the person changes.
It is possible to have scars around the nipple after the surgery. There may also be horizontal or vertical (or both horizontal and vertical) incision scars. These are more evident in the first 6-7 weeks, however they will fade out greatly over time.
Stitches are removed within 8 to 15 days after the operation, swelling and redness gradually decrease, and the full recovery period varies from one week to two months. What is done within the breast reduction procedure is a decisive factor in recovery. The patient's health condition and how much attention she pays to aftercare also have a say in this process.