Breast Reduction Surgery (Reduction Mammaplasty)

Though aesthetic breast reduction surgery seems to be a cosmetic surgery made to ameliorate outer appearance of a woman, it is a surgery that has functional benefits. Large breasts may cause shoulder and neck pain, lead to being hunchbacked in women. There might be numbness on arms in connection with pressure of brassiere slings on arm nerves. As a result of permanent contact between nipple skin and breast skin, there might be rash, fungus infections and wounds underneath breast. Daily activities may be limited. Besides women with large breasts may encounter difficulties regarding selection of clothes and the women’s self dislike may cause social and psychological problems. A surgery to be applied with the purpose of breast reduction will give a natural appearance to breasts, above listed problems will be eliminated, individual’s life will become easier. 

As a result of genetic factors, hormonal changes or some diseases, there might be large breasts which are not proportional to body sizes. The impact of weight changes, nursing and gravity may increase the current problem even further. An increase in breast tissue and accordingly large breast may be seen among young girls too. 

Evaluation Before Surgery:

At the first examination, a surgery plan that is most suitable for you will be determined in consideration of factors like the size, form of your breasts, state of your skin. Your surgeon will give you information about the details of your surgery and inform about marks, nipple sensitivity, nursing, form of anaesthesia and risks of surgery. 

Preparation to Surgery:

Mammography and if necessary breast ultrasonography should be performed in patients when necessary before the surgery. Circumstances like high blood pressure, smoking, drugs, diabetes should be discussed. Breast reduction surgery is a surgery that needs to be made in hospitals, and usually you can be discharged on the following day.  

How Will Your Surgery Be Made?

During breast reduction surgery, excessive breast tissue is removed together with the skin on it. Nipple is moved to where it has to be. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in an operation room under hospital conditions. Whatever method is applied there will certainly be scarring around nipple. In addition to that, there will be a scar in the form of reverse T from central part of the lower side of nipple downward depending on the method applied. However the scar on the nipple curve area is removed with the surgical technique applied in recent times. There remains a scar of 4.5-5 cm only around nipple and down from the central part of nipple lower side. These scars are initially clear and they become unclear in time. The level of scars following the surgery depend on the size of breasts, the surgical method applied and finally the nature of the patient’s skin.

Post-op Period:

The post-op period is generally comfortable. There might be pain and limitations in arm movements. A wrap similar to brassiere is applied on breasts or the patient is wears brassiere. Two pipelets named drain are placed generally on two breasts and removed within 24-72 hours. The same dressing is applied on the nipple. The dressing is opened two days later and the wound is checked. Wounds are opened seven days later. Stitches are removed after 7-10 days. In the beginning, there might be swelling, absence of senses at nipples and an empurpled colour alteration on the skin. They disappear in a short time. 

When Can I Get Back to My Normal Life?

The patient can get back to her work 1 week later. After two – three weeks, she may perform light sports like walking, slow running. From the second month onwards, all activities are free.

What Are The Risks Of Breast Reduction Surgeries? 

As in every surgery, breast reduction surgery has some risks. In your personal selection, it is important to know the risks of surgery and the benefits it will provide to you. When your physician talks to you about these risks you should discuss all of them one by one. There might be complications like bleeding, infection, nipple and change in skin sensitiveness, scars as in every surgery. Following breast reduction surgery, your neck, shoulder and back pains may persist but they will gradually disappear in a period of approximately 6 months. In most women, there is breast asymmetry. Also after the surgery, there might be discrepancies in the form, size and symmetry of breast and nipple.

Does This Surgery Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?

At any period of a person’ life, a risk of breast disease or breast cancer may emerge without being associated with breast reduction surgery. One should have regular breast checks whether she went through surgery or not. Breast reduction surgery does not increase risk of breast cancer, but in fact the risk to develop breast cancer will diminish as the amount of breast tissue decreases.

Can I Nurse My Baby Following the Surgery?

Some women who undergo breast reduction surgery can nurse their children, however this could generally become a situation hard to determine in advance. If you want to make a baby and nurse, you need to discuss this situation with your physician before undergoing breast reduction surgery.