WHAT IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

Breast Reduction Surgery is a cosmetic surgery done to reduce the size of breasts. If the disproportionately large breasts cause neck or back pain, or other physical symptoms, one might consider getting breast reduction surgery done.

Men with conditions such as Gynecomastia (male breasts abnormally enlarged) may also opt for breast reduction.

HOW IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY DONE?

Depending on the patient’s personal history, breast reduction surgery can be done under general anaesthesia in an outpatient facility, or a patient might need to stay at least one day in the hospital. The surgery takes about  2-5 hours, sometimes even longer.

Before Surgery

Patient needs to be in good physical shape to ensure proper healing and requires to follow all the Doctor’s instructions.The doctor needs to be informed about habits, as to whether a patient smokes or not and what medications he or she takes.

During the Procedure

The surgeon makes a cut around the nipple then downward on the breast in the form of a keyhole while the operating team removes extra skin, tissue, and fat from the patient’s breasts and repositions the nipple. The surgeon may use drainage tubes and then stitch up the operated breasts and wrap them in a special gauze. The patient may need to wear a surgical bra post-surgery.

After Surgery

Patients might need to take at least one week off while some people might need two weeks. Operating surgeon further instructs the patient on follow-up appointments for removing bandages and stitches. During the recovery period, patient would need to stop physical activity for at least a month. After breast reduction surgery, it is normal to feel tired and experience  breast pain for the first few days for which the oral painkillers shall be prescribed. Heavy lifting has to be avoided initially.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS ATTACHED WITH BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY ?

While the scars are a normal side effect of breast reduction surgery which fade over time but will never completely disappear. Scars are made worse with lifting heavy objects too soon after surgery. In rare cases, some people  may have certain complications like inadequate healing of the nipple area- requiring  a skin graft.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

After the  Breast Reduction Surgery, the  Doctor needs to be immediately consulted in the following circumstances:

• Signs of infection, redness, tenderness or unusual swelling, fever
• Any unusual discharge or pus formation on the incision site
• Any of the stitches come out before their due time, etc