Should You Get Breast Reduction Surgery?

What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a plastic surgery treatment to reduce the size of the breasts. To reduce the size of the breast and alter its shape, the plastic surgeon removes breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin.

In contrast to breast augmentation, breast reduction is typically driven by medically-related reasons rather than aesthetic ones (although there will obviously be aesthetic outcomes as well).

Do I Need Breast Reduction?

Even though many women wish they had larger breasts, some people are born with breasts that are significantly larger than usual. A life of physical and emotional suffering may result from having heavy breasts. If you are struggling with some of these symptoms, you might be a suitable candidate for undergoing breast reduction:

• Extreme back, neck, and shoulder pain.
• Poor body posture and / or nerve pain due to the weight and size of your breasts.
• Skin problems or rash at the cleavage or at the areas under your breasts.
• Fingertip numbness due to prolonged hunching of the neck.
• Having trouble finding clothes and bra with the right fit.
• Restricted physical movement due to the weight and size of your breasts.
• Low self-esteem or facing social ridicule due to the size of your breasts.

By reducing the size of your breasts to more closely match the ratios of the rest of your body, you can get relief from a number of these problems. A breast reduction may thus not only solve medical-related problems, but it may also improve your quality of life.

Risks Of Breast Reduction Surgery

Every surgery has its risks and this includes breast reduction surgery. Some of the possible risks are:

• Temporary bruising.
• Scarring.
• Breast asymmetry.
• Bleeding and infection.
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which can be temporary or permanent.

How Do I Prepare For The Surgery?

Some of the basic preparation that you’ll need to do before your surgery is:

• Having a consultation with your doctor regarding your medical history and overall health.
• Get a lab testing or medical evaluation.
• Discuss with your doctor what is the best size and shape will be the best fit for your body proportions.
• Before and after surgery, get baseline mammograms to assist identify any future changes in your breast tissue.
• If you are an active smoker, you’ll need to stop smoking in advance before undergoing the surgery.

Surgery Recovery Time And Aftercare

The recovery time following breast reduction surgery is around 1 to 2 weeks, with most patients being able to resume work in a week. You should avoid flying for about 1-2 weeks.

Patients can expect to experience swelling and pain following surgery, and it might take up to 3 weeks for any feelings of discomfort to go away. The discomfort can be managed using ordinary painkillers.

It will take about 3 months for the shape of the breasts to stabilise following surgery.

Your doctor will instruct you on the necessary post-surgery aftercare. Minimally, you will need to wear a special compressive bra 24-hours a day, for around 2 months to minimise the swelling and to support the breasts properly following the surgery.