Surgical Procedure:

There are many ways to perform a breast reduction. The method must be tailored to the patient. A common method of surgery is to mark the new nipple position. Then with the blood supply of the nipple preserved on a pedicle of tissue, the excess breast is removed. The nipple is then moved into its new position and the new breast shape is reconstructed. The incision is often around the nipple and on the under surface of the breast, like an upside down T. The operation is done under general anesthesia while the patient is asleep.

Patients who receive this procedure usually remain in the hospital over night. If the breasts are not too large and the skin has good elasticity then liposuction may be possible. This is especially useful in women who wish to avoid long scars. It is possible that this technique may preserve the ability to breast feed. For many surgeons it has become the most popular way to perform breast reduction on a patient who is about a DD size. Very large and pendulous breast still require the more traditional methods that result in longer scars.

Pre Operative Care:

Inform us about any allergies, any serious medical condition(s), and all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.

Duration of Operation: One to three hours

Hospital Admission: One night admission to hospital.

Anesthesia: General anesthesia that renders the patient unconscious.

Post - operative Care

After surgery, you will be wrapped in elastic bandages or gauze dressings and a surgical bra. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain blood and fluids for the first day or two. The extent of the post - operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication.

Applying cold compresses or ice packs will reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a water-tight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular cold compression is the key to relieving swelling.

The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, though you will continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising subsides.

In most cases, stitches will be removed in one to three weeks. Sometimes the surgeon will use only dissolvable sutures. If breast skin is very dry following surgery, moisturizer can be applied several times a day, but the suture area must be kept dry at all times.

It is important to follow a careful plan on return to strenuous activity, in order to avoid tension on the wound (which could lead to worse scarring).

Results: Your surgeon will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it is important to remember that mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. They often remain lumpy and red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops

Recovery: The recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to work within a week or two.

Risks and Complications

All operations have some risks. The risks of surgery are divided into two groups; first, those that are seen in all operations and, second, those that are unique or special for a particular operation. In the first group, the main risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar, and numbness or change in sensation. The main problem which is unique to this operation is damage to the blood supply of the nipple and a heavy scar. Breast feeding may not be possible after surgery. Breast reduction does NOT increase the risk of breast cancer and indeed may slightly decrease the risk.

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