Breast Reduction Surgery - What it is, Benefits, Procedure, Risks and Much More

What is Breast Reduction?

What is Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is also referred to as reduction mammaplasty.
The objective of this surgery is to make the breast equivalent to the rest of the body by reshaping the size of the breast to eliminate any physical discomfort caused by them.
This procedure which is commonly requested by many women has benefits for not only improving aesthetic appearance and but also eliminates any physical and emotional discomfort which come along with it.
Who Needs It?/ Candidature For Breast Reduction
Who is the best candidate for BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?
If you have large breasts which are unproportional with your body frame
Larger breasts are causing neck, back, or shoulder pain
If you have larger breasts with downward pointing nipples
If your one breast is larger than other
If you are in always conscious about the large appearance of your breasts

Eligibility to undergo a BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY:

Any of the above mentioned reasons makes you a suitable candidate to undergo BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY, But to be an eligible candidate for surgery you should also fulfill the following criteria:
Every surgical procedure including plastic or cosmetic surgery involves certain risks. You should undergo a BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY only if you have a medical requirement or you feel that the particular surgery will enhance your quality of life.
You shall be a good candidate for the BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY if you are healthy, you have realistic expectations from the outcome of the surgery and you are aware of all the risks associated with the procedure.
You cannot consider undergoing a cosmetic surgery if you have serious health issues like diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, bleeding disorders like haemophilia or depression.
You shall not be a good candidate for the BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY if you smoke or drink too much alcohol.
You should have positive attitude!
You expectations from the outcome of the surgery should be realistic.
You should be ready to miss at least a few weeks of normal activity.

Benefits Of Breast Reduction

Surgery will definitely reduce neck, back, and shoulder pain causing because of larger breasts.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:

Youthfulness

Ageing is a natural process which everyone goes through. Visible wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes are signs of ageing. Such skin flaws makes you look tired or aged. But with BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY like suitable treatment one feels younger, healthier and rejuvenated.

Natural

Nowadays BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY is gaining immense popularity because it produces results that blend extremely well with a patient's body aesthetics. Soon after the surgery, one gets back to the desired or normal shape of a treated body part. One does not have to wait long to see the result, which is the beauty of cosmetic surgery.

IMPROVED PHYSICAL HEALTH:

Some cosmetic surgery procedures have double advantage; it will improve physical health as well as your looks.
Breast reduction surgery, which is commonly requested by many women has benefits for not only improving aesthetic appearance and but also eliminates any physical and emotional discomfort which come along with it. It also reduces neck pain, back pain causing because of larger breasts.
Some researchers also believe that removal of breast tissue in men can lower the risk of cancer in that tissue.

WEIGHT LOSS:

Liposuction is a process in which the body is reshaped by removing fats from that particular part of the body, and it typically targets problem areas that do not respond well to diet and exercise.
Patients seeking body contouring find it is easier to keep the weight down after lipoplasty. The positive results of liposuction can influence the patient to maintain a healthy diet and exercise program to keep their weight in check.
Appropriate weight control can lead to a healthier body and reduced risks associated with obesity and excessive weight gain.

INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND ENHANCED MENTAL HEALTH:

Self Confidence is a tool that helps us face challenges and tackle problems in life, with great certainty. When you look good, you feel good which in turn increases your self confidence. It leads to greater willingness to try new things or open up in social situations. You become more willing and open to wearing certain clothes or participating in activities which you avoided prior to surgery, due to discomfort in your appearance.
Certain clinicians and psychologists feel, few corrections in your body parts, by cosmetic surgery can not only lead to emotional wellness but also enhanced mental health.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:

Studies do suggest that people that are more attractive benefit in their personal as well as professional lives.
Studies have also found, good looking people have a higher probability of getting promotions and making more salary.
A 2012 study published in Applied Financial Economics revealed that good looking real estate agents were able to sell properties at a higher price than agents that were average looking.
Breast Reduction Surgery Procedure
How is a breast reduction procedure performed?
Breast reduction surgery is performed in a hospital or surgical center, it does not require an overnight stay it normally takes three to five hours. The nipple areola are restored to a higher position after the surgeon removes excess breast tissues, fat, and skin of the breast. Liposuction can be additionally applied to underarms.
The surgeon uses surgical markers to mark the areas of the incisions. The markings are very important as the breast tend to take a different shape when you are lying on the back on the operating table.
Usually, general anesthesia is proposed for this surgery, in some cases, intravenous sedation can also be used for breast reduction.
Incisions patterns to be made will depend on the size of the breast, the extent of breast sagging and nipple-areola position. The areolas can be made smaller if they are too large in shape

Some commonly used incisions patterns are :

Micro Incisions are the type of incisions that are generally used for a breast that are large and not sagging. In this type, Liposuction is used to reduce the size of the breast. Small incisions permit the liposuction cannula (tube) to penetrate the breast.
A donut incision also referred to as periareolar incision is made across the border of the areolas.
The Keyhole incision also called as lollipop incision. These incisions are made across the border of the areola to vertically downward direction from the areolas to the breast crease.
Anchor incision is the most well known and commonly practiced techniques by the surgeons.

It involves three specific cuts, which includes incision made across the border of the areolas, other across the border of the areolas to vertically downward direction from the areolas to the breast crease which is merged with the third incision along the breast crease.
The surgeon will eliminate the surplus breast skin and fat depending on the size of the breast you want. If the breast are asymmetrical/uneven/imbalanced, the surgeon will eliminate more tissues from one breast than the other. The surgeon will reshape the remaining skin and fat to make the breast to look more aesthetical in appearance and shift the nipple and areola to a higher position.
More often drains are placed on the breast to collect excess fluids.
The objective of the aesthetic plastic surgery is to achieve a attractive, gracious and natural looking result, along with making the surgery easy and comfortable as much as possible in your experience.

Breast Reduction Surgery Alternatives

Weight Loss

To the certain extent weight loss definitely size of the breast. You need to consider or consult a doctor to plan your diet and exercise.
Less Invasive Surgery
You can discuss with the doctor about liposuction and expected result. Compare to breast reduction
Liposuction is a less invasive surgical choice, liposuction also produces fewer scars but may result in loose skin, which may be undesirable. Liposuction removes only fat cells whereas surgery removes glandular tissues also.

Associated Risks

Complications:

The potential for complications while performing surgery persist, just as for any other operation.
Pain is probably the most significant drawback of plastic surgery, and recovery times can be as long as six months in a few cases.
Some individuals may be at risk of severe reactions to anaesthesia or may develop health problems such as bleeding as a result of their surgery.
You need to discuss with Doctor regarding risks involved in the procedure.

Severe side effects:

Any surgical procedures carries a certain amount of risk, which may include excessive swelling, bruising or bleeding , wound becomes infected, delayed healing of wounds, numbness, breathing difficulties, unfavourable scarring, extrusion of implants or sutures, pain, and the need for revision of the surgery.

Worsened Self Image:

Cosmetic surgery is not necessarily a purely aesthetic choice few choose it out of low self esteem and depression. If this is the true intention behind the surgery, than you will most probably never feel better after surgery because the underlying problems will still be unresolved.
All in all, however, if complications are few and the benefits far outweigh the risks then Cosmetic Surgery is a procedure that can change your life for the better.

Preparing For Breast Reduction Surgery

If you are considering BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY, it is important to take the time to determine why you want the surgery in the first place. If you have a medical need, or if you truly feel that this treatment will improve your quality of life, then you are a good candidate if you meet the aforementioned criteria.
Although having a BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY is common for celebrities and those who work in the limelight, certain life circumstances can force you to go under the knife. Here are some medically-necessary reasons that require you to have BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY.

Appropriate Consultation

The most appropriate way to consider your competency for any kind of cosmetic treatment is to schedule an appointment with a proficient doctor.
During the first encounter the doctor will try to understand why you feel the need to have a treatment and also what are your expectations from the outcome of the same
The physician will evaluate your medical history; inquire about your current medication and medical condition. Physician should also be aware of everything you take, including vitamin supplements or herbal products since they might interfere with other medicines used during treatment. The surgeon might ask you to perform blood tests and a few general lab tests to monitor your current health status.
The doctor will perform a physical exam, to have a close look at the skin, associated muscles and bones, their quality and the kind of changes that can be made. doctor might also suggest an additional surgery which will enhance or compliment your look,
and last but not the least; the physician will assess your mental fitness to check whether you are ready to undergo the treatment.

RECOVERY TIME

Recovery is basically the time required to get back to a relatively normal routine.
Patients who wish to undergo BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY must plan for time off to heal and to be comfortable being seen in public.
The healing time can vary from person to person and will also depend on the type of surgery to be performed.
It can take up to two three weeks to return to work and perform everyday activities. After consulting with the doctor, People can utilise this time to go on a vacation or nurture themselves.

THE OUTCOME:

Sometimes the BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY doesn't produce the results the patient imagines. This gap between imagination and reality may frustrate patient.
Expecting unrealistic results, like the surgery will make you look like a Hollywood or Bollywood star and automatically solve all of your problems, can be a significant drawback to having cosmetic procedures.
To have a better experience, it is extremely important to consult a qualified doctor before planning the surgery and develop a rational idea of what the end result will look like.

After Effects Of Surgery

Pain:

There are chances of having mild to moderate pain and discomfort post surgery. The pain can be easily regulated with oral medications. The distress and pain should reduce within 72 hours after surgery. A reasonable increase in pain post 72 hours should prompt you to contact the doctor.

Swelling:

Swelling can differ from patient to patient. It might increase during first three to four days before subsiding. Things that can be done to reduce swelling include keeping the head elevated as much as possible; avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects.
Prolonged sun exposure should also be avoided for the initial two to three months.

Discoloration

Most bruising and discoloration resolve within the first two to three weeks. Make up can be applied to cover up the discolouration when been seen in public.

Numbness

The body part that undergoes the surgery can be numb for few days. The feeling of numbness is normal and shall reduce over upcoming weeks. Unusual sensations and moderate discomfort can persist while the nerves are regenerating over time.

Bleeding

Sometimes bleeding can occur, post surgery. You can lie down with your head elevated but if the bleeding still persists at this point, it would be advisable to consult your doctor.

Depression

It is perfectly alright for patients to go through a period of mild depression after the cosmetic surgery as after some days or weeks which depends on surgery, patients generally becomes anxious and expects the results when swelling and bruising still persists. But the patient should realize that it is a temporary condition and things are bound to improve over a period of time.

Post Surgery Do's And Don'ts
Ask your doctor. for better and suitable guidelines. Following are the general instructions which should help you get the best results from your surgery.

Post Surgery do’s and don’ts:

No vigorous exercise, contact sports and running for minimum of two weeks.
No lifting heavy objects for at least 3 weeks.
Avoid pullover clothing for two weeks especially if you have undergone a face surgery.
Avoid driving a vehicle for a few days after surgery.
No swimming for at least two weeks after surgery.
Prefer using a mild soap and shampoo while taking a shower.
It is essential to maintain the tape and cover on the surgery to keep it dry. Once the doctor advises to remove the tape you can to gently wash your surgery area twice a day to help reduce oiliness.
You should be prompt enough to contact the doctor immediately, for any signs of bleeding that persist for more than ten minutes, infections, redness, swelling, fever, pain etc.

Exercising After Breast Reduction

After cosmetic surgery many patients asks about post surgery exercise or when can they resume their gym activity. Patients needs to understand that, its extremely crucial to give enough time for proper healing of your body, for eg strain on muscles, excessive sweating, stretching of the skin etc. can delay the recovery.
You need to consult your doctor about
How soon you can start exercising?
What type of exercise?
How much time?
Don't start exercise without asking your doctor and follow guidelines given by your doctor as for complete healing, body needs time, and you need enough energy level for your routine and gym.

Seek Medical Help

IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
Development of a temperature elevation exceeding 100 degrees.
An unusual amount of bleeding from the surgery area
Significant reinjury of the surgery area
A significant increase in pain even after taking your prescribed medication