Too small or too large breasts is a situation that bothers women from time to time.
Large breasts can sometimes make it difficult for people to find clothes, to be comfortable and to love their own body. Since it causes health problems other than aesthetic problems, it may be necessary to have a reduction performed.
What is breast reduction?
Breast reduction, also called “reduction mammaplasty” in the medical literature, includes the removal of the person’s excess breast and fatty tissue, the procedures to prevent the skin from looking saggy, and other aesthetic procedures. While people whose physiological health is at risk because of their large breasts should undergo breast reduction, people who are only under psychological or both psychological and physiological effects of large breasts may undergo breast reduction for aesthetic reasons.
How is breast reduction performed?
- After the doctor has examined the patient, listened to the patient’s wishes and completed the health checks, the person is operated.
- It is an operation that takes 2-4 hours under general anesthesia. Factors such as the fatty tissue to be removed and the size of the breasts determine the surgery time.
- The doctor starts the procedure with the most appropriate incision in the area most suitable for the surgery. There are different types of incisions like Inverted T and Lollipop.
- After the excess breast tissue is removed from the incision, the excess skin is also removed and the incised skin is closed.
- Drains can be used to remove excess blood, particles and fluid.
Why breast reduction?
- It is an uncomplicated operation of maximum 4 hours, and the person does not have any pain during the operation as he or she is under general anesthesia.
- The incisions made to perform the surgery are small and inconspicuously shaped, as they are opened from curved areas.
- The discomfort of women with large breasts is eliminated. With a breast reduction, the person can live a healthy and painless life.
- Although the state of health does not change, a breast reduction can be performed according to the individual aesthetic needs of the person. In this way, everyone has the opportunity to achieve the desired look.
- Within one week the person can return to their daily life.
For whom is a breast reduction suitable?
Big breasts are difficult to carry. Since this weight is higher than for people with normal breasts, it puts a strain on the body and can cause pain in the neck, shoulders, back and waist area. In addition to these problems, sores and infections can occur under the breasts. Apart from health problems, women with aesthetic concerns can have breast reduction surgery. It is also possible to reduce the size of the breasts and provide the necessary esthetics with mammaplasty in the treatment of gynecomastia, which occurs as swelling and enlargement of the breast tissue in men. This operation can be performed on any person who is 20 years old or older and whose breast formation is complete. However, before the operation, people should find out whether their health conditions are suitable for the operation by checking with their doctor. If the person is younger than 20 years old and breast reduction is required, the surgery may be performed in emergency cases.
After the breast reduction
The patient who receives general anesthesia stays in hospital for 1 day. During breast surgery, arm pain usually occurs in the first week after the operation. Pain can be controlled with ice application and medication. It is necessary to avoid sudden movements and lifting something heavy in the first 2 weeks. Also during these 2 weeks the person should sleep on the back and not drive a car. While driving it can be disadvantageous because the chest and arm muscles are working. It takes 1 month for the person to return to their exercises.
You can shower on the 4th day after the surgery and it is important to go to the check-ups in the first 1 and 2 weeks. Stitches are usually removed after 2 weeks.
Although the person can return to their daily life within 1 week, it is important for the healing phase to wear a sports bra during this time and for a total period of about 2 months. Breast reduction surgery is a long-term permanent operation. It is normal that between 6 and 12 months of age there is occasional burning and stinging in the breasts.
After breast reduction, people can breastfeed, and in some cases it is not possible. There are techniques to protect the mammary gland and its ducts, but it may be necessary to give up this function when removing large breasts. The procedures are performed with the patient’s knowledge and consent.