What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a transformative procedure that involves the removal of excess breast tissue to create a more proportionate and comfortable bust size. This comprehensive guide aims to provide valuable insights into various aspects of breast reduction surgery, catering to the interests of individuals in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Is breast reduction right for me?

Wondering if breast reduction is the right choice for you? It’s a significant decision that involves various considerations. Firstly, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess both your aesthetic goals and medical needs. If your breasts are disproportionately large for your frame, causing back pain or postural issues, or impacting your self-confidence negatively, breast reduction might be worth considering. However, it’s crucial to understand the surgical implications, potential risks, and expected outcomes. Take the time to ask questions and weigh your options before making an informed decision about breast reduction.

How long does breast reduction surgery take?

The duration of breast reduction surgery can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the procedure and individual patient needs. On average, the surgery typically takes between two to four hours to complete. However, this timeframe may be shorter or longer depending on factors such as the amount of tissue to be removed, whether additional procedures like liposuction are performed, and the surgeon’s technique. During your consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, they will provide you with a personalized estimate of the surgical time based on your specific case. It’s essential to prioritize safety and thoroughness during the procedure, so your surgeon will take the time needed to achieve optimal results.

Who Is a candidate for breast reduction surgery?

Identifying eligibility for breast reduction surgery is essential to consider for those facing persistent back, neck, or shoulder discomfort attributed to large breasts. Suitable candidates typically struggle to find well-fitting bras and clothing, endure skin irritation or rashes beneath the breasts, and grapple with self-consciousness about their breast size. If these issues resonate with an individual, they may be a potential candidate for breast reduction surgery.

Types of Breast Reduction Surgery

Incision Patterns for Breast Reduction

When it comes to breast reduction surgery, understanding the different incision patterns is crucial. Your surgeon will determine the most suitable approach based on factors like breast size, shape, and desired outcome. The three common incision patterns include the anchor, vertical, and periareolar techniques. The anchor incision, also known as the inverted-T or Wise pattern, involves three incisions: around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease. This method is ideal for significant reductions and allows for reshaping of the breast tissue. The vertical incision, or lollipop technique, involves two incisions: around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. It’s suitable for moderate reductions and results in less scarring than the anchor method. Lastly, the periareolar incision is a circular incision made around the edge of the areola, suitable for minor reductions or lifts. Your surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of each technique and help you choose the most appropriate option for your individual needs and preferences.

Liposuction for Breast Reduction

Liposuction for breast reduction is a minimally invasive procedure that can be an excellent option for those seeking to reduce the size of their breasts without the extensive scarring associated with traditional breast reduction surgery. During the procedure, small incisions are made, and a thin tube called a cannula is inserted to suction out excess fat tissue from the breasts. This technique is particularly suitable for patients with good skin elasticity and minimal excess skin, as it primarily targets fatty tissue rather than glandular tissue. Liposuction for breast reduction typically results in shorter recovery times and less post-operative discomfort compared to traditional surgical methods. However, it’s essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if liposuction is the right approach for your individual needs and desired outcome. They will assess factors such as breast size, skin elasticity, and overall health to help you make an informed decision about the best course of action for achieving your aesthetic goals.

What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?

Physical Well-being

There are many benefits in opting for breast reduction. First of all, it should be noted that an overly large breast can cause health problems. Indeed, if your breasts are too large, they can cause pain in your back, your shoulders or your chest. And over time, these problems can have a negative impact on your sleep, your lifestyle and especially on your posture.

Improved Confidence

Breast enlargement, whether congenital or hormonal, can cause psychological problems in women. Thus, to alleviate all these problems, to avoid unpleasant surprises and to maintain good health, it is preferable to turn to breast reduction surgery.

Easier Shopping

Shopping for clothing can be challenging with disproportionately large breasts. After breast reduction, you may find it easier to shop for bras, swimwear, and clothing that fits comfortably and flatters your body shape.

How you prepare for breast reduction surgery?

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon

But contacting a professional in the field of cosmetic surgery to reduce the breasts is not only for the purpose of maintaining good health, but also for the purpose of being fully fit. Indeed, the more time passes, the more you may encounter worries such as finding undergarments adapted to your breasts, exposing your body in public and even stripping in intimacy with your partner. The ideal solution is to undergo a breast reduction surgery in order to adopt breasts whose volume is appropriate to your figure, age and shape. After all, this is what all women are looking for, to create harmony with all the parts of their body in order to look beautiful.

Comprehensive Consultation

A successful breast reduction procedure starts with a comprehensive consultation. During this session, the surgeon evaluates your health, discusses your surgical goals, and addresses any concerns you may have.

Preparation Steps

If you are a smoker, it is imperative to stop smoking at least three weeks before the breast reduction surgery and up to one month after. Indeed, smoking increases the operative complications related to general anesthesia. It delays healing and increases the risk of necrosis and infection, with a risk of prolonged aesthetic sequelae.

No medication containing aspirin should be taken in the 10 days preceding the operation. The discontinuation of certain specific treatments is discussed during the consultation with the plastic surgeon. The day before or the morning of the surgery, preoperative drawings are made on your chest. The incision lines are marked by measuring specific reference points on the breast. These lines serve as reference points so that the shape of the breast after surgery can be anticipated. You will give your signed consent form for the procedure to the team.

What you can expect?

During the procedure

Breast Reduction Surgery Essentials

Breast reduction surgery is always performed under general anesthesia, and most often requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Sometimes the plastic surgeon recommends an additional night of hospitalization if the reduction is particularly important, or if the patient lives far from the place where she will have this cosmetic surgery. The procedure of breast reduction lasts between 2 and 2 1/2 hours, depending on the technique used.

Tailored Techniques in Breast Reduction Surgery

There are three primary surgical techniques for breast reduction, each tailored to the specific volume of breast tissue to be removed. In cases of small reduction without associated ptosis, a simple incision around the areola proves sufficient. For medium-sized reductions with slight ptosis, two incisions are made – one encircling the areola and another vertically positioned between the nipple and the lower aspect of the breast. In instances of large reductions accompanied by significant ptosis, a trio of incisions becomes necessary: one periareolar, one vertical, and one concealed beneath the breast within the sub-breast fold. The resulting scar is often described as having an inverted T shape. The mammary gland removed during the operation is systematically sent to anatomopathology, to be analyzed and weighed precisely.

After the procedure

Support Bra After Breast Reduction

After undergoing a breast reduction, the recovery process spans approximately two weeks, during which the patient is required to consistently wear a support bra. For the initial month following the procedure, both day and night, the support bra serves as a crucial element in facilitating healing. Subsequently, during the second month, it is recommended for the patient to wear the support bra exclusively during daytime hours.

Managing Post-Op Pain and Recovery

Typically, post-operative pain is of a moderate nature and can be effectively managed with conventional painkillers. The duration of convalescence varies between one to three weeks, contingent upon the specifics of the individual case.

Post-Breast Reduction Sports and Activities

Reintegration into physical activities and sports is permissible after a recovery period of six weeks, signaling a gradual return to normalcy for the patient. This comprehensive approach to recovery aims to ensure optimal healing and comfort for individuals who have undergone breast reduction surgery.

Safeguarding Scars

Scars must be protected from the sun for at least one year. As long as the scars are pink, they must absolutely be protected from the sun at the risk that they turn brown and remain darker than the skin. It is therefore necessary to wait until the scars turn white before considering exposing them to the sun. It is normal for the scar to become thicker and redder during the first few months. This aspect is related to the inflammatory reaction of any scarring and takes twelve to eighteen months to improve and stabilize. Sometimes the scar has an abnormal evolution, thickening or swelling persisting beyond one year. These are called hypertrophic scars or keloids (more frequent on black skin). These scars can occur unpredictably and may require special treatment. It is important to know that scars in general will fade and be less visible, but will not disappear.

What are the results of breast reduction surgery?

The result is immediate, but the final appearance is only obtained once the edema is completely reabsorbed after about 3 months. It is necessary to wait an average of one year to appreciate the final result. After the operation, the breast will initially be very high and round. It will take its final shape only about three months later. It is important to specify that, if the architecture of the breast can be modified by a breast reduction, this does not affect in any way the surveillance for breast cancer.

During the first few months, the scars are visible, often pink or even red, but they are hidden by the underwear. As with any healing process, they may thicken with the risk of hypertrophic evolution (raised scars), which will require a specific treatment, such as the application of a cream. If imperfections persist (surface irregularities, asymmetry), surgical treatment, such as scar correction, can be proposed, but not before six months. With time or in case of weight loss, sagging skin may reappear, affecting the shape of the breast.