What is breast reduction surgery?
Large breasts can dominate a woman's appearance
and make you look unbalanced and make exercise
difficult or even impossible to do. Breast reduction
is a procedure for reshaping exceptionally large
breasts surgically to increase your comfort and
satisfaction. Overly large breasts frequently
have a considerable affect on self-confidence
and can even affect personal relationships. The
aim of surgery is to give you smaller, shapelier
breasts that are in proportion to the rest of
your body.
What does breast reduction surgery
involve?
The most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped
incision that circles the areola and extends
down in a vertical line it will then follow
the natural curve of the crease beneath the
breast. Excess breast tissue, fat and skin are
then removed and the nipples and remaining underlying
tissues are then moved to a new higher location.
The skin from both sides of the breast is then
brought down and around the areola shaping the
new contour of the breast and sutured.
How long does the breast reduction
surgery take?
Breast reduction is performed under general
anaesthesia and usually takes about 2 to 3.5
hours depending on each individual patient and
the extent of surgery. The length of stay in
hospital will be mainly determined by you, many
patients are able to go home on the day of the
surgery but some remain in the hospital for
1-2 days.
What will happen in the recovery period?
The breast will be bandage for support and can
be removed a day or two after surgery but you
will have to continue wearing a surgical bra
24 hrs a day for 1-2 weeks while the swelling
and bruising subside. There will be considerable
swelling and bruising of the breasts which usually
lasts 2-3 weeks. Almost all the stitches used
will simply dissolve but if there are any clips
they will be removed after 5 days of surgery.
The scars are quite lengthy and may take many
months or years to settle. You will have follow-up
visits in the months after surgery to check
on your progress.
What is breast reduction surgery recovery
time?
Depending on the individual patient recovery
times will vary. You should be up and about
in a day or two but your breasts may still ache
occasionally for a couple of weeks. Most patients
will return to work with 14 days but this is
down to the individual. Avoid any strenuous
activity for at least 6 weeks and limit your
exercises to stretching and swimming.
What can I expect from breast reduction
surgery?
Your expectations need to be realistic. Most
patients are pleased with the outcome and find
they have smaller, lighter, and firmer breasts.
You will be freed from the physical discomfort
of large breasts and your body will be better
proportioned therefore in most cases giving
a new-found confidence.
Need more information about breast
reduction surgery?
If you would like more information about breast
reduction Surgery offered by our NHS Consultant,
or whether breast reduction Surgery is right
for you, please contact
us today.
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