Breast Reduction

Why opt for a breast reduction?

Breast reduction solves many problems associated with bulky or heavy breasts, including discomfort, neck and shoulder pain, back pain, and skin irritations. It may also cause a woman to feel embarrassment in her sex life and have difficulty exercising and finding clothes / underwear.

The surgery in a few words

There are various methods and techniques regarding breast reduction surgery. During your visit to the clinic, the doctors will suggest the most appropriate technique, always based on your breast size and special needs. The scars and the final shape of the breast vary depending on the method of surgery selected.

Incisions

Incisions will depend on the type of surgery selected. Scar maturation takes up to 12-14 months. In general, the quality of the scars in most cases and in the long run will be extremely good. Some patients get to this point relatively quickly, but for others it may take longer. In rare cases, hypertrophic or keloid scars may form. The way your other wounds have healed in the past may be an indication of the incision healing process.

Medication

In our clinic, a complete medical history is always taken before each surgery. As a precaution, over-the-counter medicines or herbal products should not be taken before and for 3 days after surgery. It is also considered necessary to avoid taking non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin (salospir), ibuprofen (Nurofen), diclofenac and any other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug.

Smoking

If you are a smoker you should try to stop smoking for at least 1 week before and 1 week after the surgery as this will dramatically reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and help achieve the best possible result.

Recovery from breast reduction surgery

Duration of the procedure

The operation lasts from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the method of surgery selected and the size of the patient’s breasts.

Hospitalization / Duration

You may need to stay in the hospital for one or two nights.

Wound dressing

After the operation incisions will be bandaged using a small adhesive gauze, as well as an elastic support tape on the chest. The bandages will be replaced the day the patient is discharged and again after two to three days, and should be kept dry until then. The wound will be re-examined again next week.

Drainages

Placement of surgical drains to remove a possible unwanted small collection of blood / fluid is not always necessary during surgery, but if used will remain in the breast for 24 to 48 hours.

Bras

Immediately after the operation you will need to wear a simple sports bra (without underwire). The bra should be comfortable while providing support to the breast. The measurement of the chest circumference does not change, only the cup size changes. After four weeks you will be able to wear a bra with an underwire which will have to be adjusted to the new shape and the size of your breasts.

Absence from work

Recovery times vary from one person to the next. In general, however, patients should be given at least two weeks to recover. Patients whose work involves a lot of movement or manual labor may need more time.

Refraining from exercising

Patients are usually able to go brisk walking within five to seven days and swimming in 10 to 14 days (if they have fully recovered). However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least four weeks.

Post-op instructions

From day one to day four, you should ideally avoid any activity. You should not take care of small children or do household chores without help.

From day 5 to day 14 you can start exercising more, as for instance go walking for a longer period of time, go shopping etc. By the end of this period you will feel minimal pain. If all wounds seem to have been healed by day 10, it is rather unlikely that you increasing your level of activity could cause any issues. You should only resume your activities if you feel healthy.

From the third week onwards you will be able to fully return to your normal pace of life and do whatever you want.

Driving

Patients who have undergone breast reduction should ideally avoid driving until they are completely free of any discomfort or restriction, in order to be able to make a sudden movement, such as braking, freely and without any pain. This parameter is proposed so that patients can secure coverage from their insurance company in case of accident. Thus, it may take up to two weeks for them to fully recover. There are of course patients who feel able to drive after 1-2 days, but always at their own risk.

Postoperative follow-up

Incisions and the result will be checked on the second and seventh postoperative day. However, if you need any clarification or there is something that worries you, doctors are always at your disposal. Your next appointments will be after one and three months respectively and during said appointments postoperative photos will be taken. For these visits there will of course be no extra charge for any follow-up related to your surgery.

Recovery and final outcome of breast augmentation surgery

There may be some bruising and slight swelling in the chest area, which will last up to three weeks. It is also common to feel some leakage produced from the wounds during the first week as the wounds begin to heal. Your breasts will be slightly harder in texture and will be positioned slightly higher than the expected end result. Within a short time your breasts will soften and acquire a very nice and natural shape. This will happen around the fourth to sixth week, but the result will continue to improve for the next six months.

Possible complications from the breast reduction surgery

Breast reduction is a routine operation and is completely successful for the vast majority of our patients, which is a result of the large number of cases that doctors have in their belt. However, as with any surgery, it is very important to understand that there is a possibility of complications. Possible complications are listed below:

Nipple loss

It is extremely unusual (less than 0.5%) and occurs when the blood supply to the nipple stops due to poor perfusion of the tissue to which it is connected. If this happens the nipple will be lost and replaced by a scar. Although rare, the risk in each patient increases with smoking, obesity and age. There is also an increased risk if the reduction is performed on very large breasts. If you fall into one of these categories, doctors will discuss possible alternative surgical techniques during your session to avoid this risk.

Loss of sensation or reduced sensation in the nipple

This occurs in 50% of patients, and may affect only one side. The risk increases in patients with very large breasts.

Asymmetry

Most women have a normal and small degree of breast asymmetry, which  we try to normalize and improve through breast reduction surgery. However, it is possible for one breast or one nipple to be slightly different than the other side after surgery.

Incisions

The quality of the scars varies among patients.

 Wound Dehiscence

Patients undergoing breast reduction may experience problems with wound healing, especially in the area of the inframammary fold. This occurs in about 4% of patients and takes a few weeks to heal.

Hematoma

There is a possibility of a small hematoma forming in the chest, which will result in the patient returning to the operating room for its removal. Hematomas usually occur within the first 24 hours after surgery and affect about 1% of patients.

Breastfeeding

About 50% of the women who undergo breast reduction can breastfeed normally.

Infection

It is quite an uncommon phenomenon, but if it occurs, antibiotics will be required.