The most common reason for undergoing breast reduction surgery is the size of the breasts. However, breast reduction can be performed earlier if the enlarged breasts cause physical discomfort. The ideal candidate for this surgery is healthy enough to understand the procedure, has realistic expectations and has stopped growing their breasts. When it comes to surgery, a surgeon needs to remove excess tissue, fat and skin to reduce the size of the breasts.
Women with large pendulous breasts often suffer from many problems, including back pain, shoulder pain, and skeletal deformities. Moreover, the breasts can interfere with sleep and prevent them from participating in some activities. Removing large breast tissue through breast reduction surgery can relieve these problems and restore the shape of a woman’s breasts. However, this surgical procedure does not have any guarantees or risks, so it is important to set realistic expectations before surgery and to understand how breast reduction surgery is performed.
In general, breast-reduction surgery can take from three to five hours. The doctor will make an incision around the nipple and extend downward to the fold of skin beneath the breasts. The excess fat, skin, and tissue will be removed from the chest. If nipples are present, they may need to be repositioned or removed completely. Patients can usually return to work in one to two weeks. While heavy exercise should be avoided for a month, light exercising is fine.
Before the procedure, the anesthesia team will examine the patient and determine any underlying medical conditions. If any of these conditions are present, preoperative tests may be required. High-quality digital X-ray images are also obtained in order to identify underlying breast abnormalities. Women over forty who do not experience any symptoms are usually eligible for this procedure, but a surgeon may request them earlier based on your medical history.
The surgeon will make incisions in the breasts and then suture them closed. The surgical site will be wrapped with gauze or a surgical bandage. Once the incisions are closed, the patient should stay away from hot water, saunas, or hot tubs for a few days after the procedure. The surgical area will be cleaned with saline solution before discharge. After the procedure, the surgeon will review the procedure with the patient and the anesthesiologist. They will also go over any risks or potential unsatisfactory results of the procedure.
The recovery from breast reduction surgery usually takes about two to five hours. After the procedure, patients can expect swelling and discoloration that will subside over time. In addition, patients may be instructed to avoid sleeping on their stomachs for a week or two following the surgery. The patient may need to wear a compression garment and take pain medication to relieve any discomfort or swelling that may occur. The surgical site will also be left with scarring.
The incisions used during breast reduction surgery vary depending on the surgeon’s preference. A T-shaped incision is made at the top of the areola and extends downward, following the natural curve of the breast. The incisions also allow the surgeon to remove excess glandular tissue and fat from the breast and reposition the areola in a more aesthetically pleasing position. A free nipple graft is used in the case of excessively large breasts.
