Breast Reduction (Breast Reduction) is a procedure in which excess breast tissue and skin is removed to achieve a breast size proportional to your body and relieve discomfort associated with large breasts (macromastia).
Breasts that are disproportionately large for the body can cause both physical and emotional distress for patients. Patients with overgrown breasts may suffer from neck and back pain. Patients may have limitations in physical activity due to pain. This limitation may cause further weight gain. This group of patients especially complains that bra straps put pressure and marks on their shoulders. During the summer months, they may encounter hygiene problems, rashes and wounds under their breasts. Due to large breasts, patients have a posture and gait in which the shoulders are forward. For most people, this posture disorder gives the impression of feeling insecure. Many patients are uncomfortable with people looking at their breasts for the first time when they meet new people, and some of them are embarrassed by this.
Although breast reduction is generally performed to eliminate medical problems, women who do not have complaints related to macromastia mentioned above are satisfied with the size of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery can also be performed as an aesthetic procedure for patients who do not have breast reduction surgery.
Who are the Best Candidates for Breast Reduction (Breast Reduction) Surgery?
Excessively large breasts can cause health and emotional problems. In addition to the distorted image created by large breasts, you may also experience neck and back pain and some other discomforts. The weight of excess breast tissue can impair your ability to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort often associated with having large saggy breasts can be as important as the physical discomfort.
If;
- You are physically healthy
- Your realistic expectations If you have
- If you are a non-smoker
- If you are disturbed by feeling that your breasts are too big
- If you have breasts that limit your physical activity
- Backlash caused by the weight of your breasts , If you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain
- If you have indentations on your shoulders due to bra straps
- If you have skin irritation under the breasts
You are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery means.
What is Important to Me When I Come to the Examination for Breast Reduction Surgery?
The success and safety of breast reduction surgery depends on your health, wishes, expectations and expectations when you come to the examination for breast reduction. It is directly related to the information you provide about your lifestyle.
During the examination, you should discuss the following issues with your surgeon;
- Why you want to have surgery, your expectations and the result you desire. What is it?
- What is your general health condition, drug allergies, if any, and medical treatments you have received?
- Are there any medications you use? Are there vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol and tobacco use?
- What previous surgeries have you had?
- Are there a family history of breast cancer and the results of any mammograms or previous biopsies?
- What could be the complications? What are the risk factors?
- What are your treatment options? What awaits you during the surgery?
- What are the possible consequences and possible risks or possible complications of your breast reduction procedure?
- What will the anesthesia be like during your breast reduction procedure?
Your surgeon
- He will examine your breasts. He will make detailed measurements about the size and shape of your breasts, skin quality, and placement of your nipples.
- He will take photographs for your medical records.
What I Ask My Plastic Surgeon About Breast Reduction Surgery Should I Ask Questions Like?
When you come for an examination for breast reductionyou can use the list below as a guide for questions you can ask?
- Especially in the field of plastic surgery. Have you been trained?
- How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
- Where and how will you perform my breast reduction procedure?
- Am I a good candidate for breast reduction?
- Best results for me in breast reduction surgery What are the r?
- What surgical technique is recommended for me?
- How long is the recovery time and what kind of assistance will I need during recovery?
- With my breast reduction procedure What are the risks and complications involved?
- How are breast reduction complications corrected?
- How does breast reduction surgery affect my ability to breastfeed?
- How will the shape of my breasts change over time after surgery? Does it change after pregnancy? Does it change after breastfeeding?
- What are my options if I'm not happy with the results?
- Are there before and after photos for this procedure that I can look at? And what are the most reasonable results for me?
How Should I Prepare for Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast Reduction Surgery You may first be asked to do the following:
- To have laboratory tests and be examined by an anesthesiologist
- If there are medications you use, they should be adjusted before surgery
- Before surgery getting an initial mammogram
- Stop smoking at least 1 week before breast reduction surgery
- Avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
What are the Steps of Breast Reduction (Breast Reduction) Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is performed by surgically removing excess fat, breast tissue and skin through incisions on your breasts.
In some cases, excess fatty tissue (for example, fat extending towards the armpit) can be reduced by liposuction. The technique used to reduce the size of your breasts; It is determined by your breast composition (fat-to-breast tissue ratio), the desired amount of reduction, your personal preferences, and the surgeon's recommendation.
1. Step – Anesthesia
The most commonly used anesthesia methods for a comfortable and safe breast reduction surgery are general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
Step 2 – Incisions
The type of incision varies depending on the technique to be performed on the patient.
- Only around the nipple. With an incision made with a circular stitch line on the nipple (at the brown-white border),
or
- Circular stitch around the nipple (at the brown-white border) with an incision made as a line and a second vertical suture line extending from the nipple downwards to the lower breast fold,
or
- Reverse T It can be done with an incision that leaves a suture line in the form of an incision.
Step 3 – Reduction and Lifting
After the incision is made, the nipple is placed higher. moved to the region. Generally, the large nipple is also reduced at this time. Breast tissue is reduced, lifted and shaped.
Step 4 - Closing the incisions
Before the incisions are closed, a total of two drains (plastic tubes) are placed under the skin, usually one in each breast. The purpose of placing these drains is to remove the blood that may accumulate in the breast after surgery and to ensure a smooth recovery period. Skin incisions are closed with subcutaneous stitches. Since most patients do not have stitches placed on the skin, there is no need to remove the stitches. Surgical scars are permanent, but in most cases they disappear or diminish significantly over time. Some creams and patches will be recommended to you by your doctor after the surgery to make the scars less visible and disappear.
5. Step – Reveal the result
The results of breast reduction surgery are visible immediately. Within 1-2 months, most of the post-operative swelling disappears and the scars begin to fade. In some surgical techniques, while the décolleté area is more prominent at the beginning, over time the breast descends downwards and takes the more anatomical "drop" shape.
What Awaits Me During Healing?
After breast reduction surgery is completed, a dressing or bandage will be applied to the wound line. An elastic bandage may be used or support bras may be worn to minimize edema and support the breast tissue as your breasts heal. It is recommended that the patient use support bras for at least 1 month.
To drain excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin during surgery. Drains placed temporarily under the skin are usually removed on the 1st to 3rd day after surgery.
Special recommendations will be given to you by your doctor after breast reduction. These are;
- How will you care for your breasts after surgery?
- Medications you will take orally to help healing and reduce the risk of infection and the duration of their use,
- Surgery. How should you take protective measures for the affected area and your general health? At what intervals the dressings will be applied and when the dressing will be stopped,
- When you can take a shower
- What days are you scheduled for check-ups?
- When can you return to your normal daily life?
- When can you start sports and exercise if it is a part of your routine life?
- When will you start using creams and/or patches to reduce scars and for how long will you continue to use them
What Results Should I Expect After Breast Reduction (Breast Reduction) Surgery?
The results of breast reduction surgery will be long-lasting . The new shape and size of your breasts, your; It will help you get rid of the back and neck pain you experienced before breast reduction surgery, the limitation of your physical activities, and the hygiene problems under the breast. You will walk upright and your new appearance will increase your self-confidence.
What are the Risks of Breast Reduction (Breast Reduction) Surgery?
Deciding to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal. You must decide whether the advantages of surgery will meet your expectations and whether the potential complications of this surgery are acceptable to you.
Your plastic surgeon will explain the risks associated with the surgery in detail. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or possible complications.
Although the risks of breast reduction surgery are low, the possible risks are: