BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY: MODERN TECHNIQUES, ADVANTAGES AND RISKS
Breast reduction surgery is often known as a “boob reduction” or “reduction mammoplasty.”
This cosmetic surgery makes your breasts smaller and better shaped combined with an instant breast lift! It reduces the size of your breasts by removing excess fat, breast tissue, and skin, making them firmer. The nipples are lifted, and the size and shape of the areola can also be modified.
Breast reduction surgery allows a woman whose breasts are too large to make them more proportional to the rest of her body. It also avoids serious problems such as back, shoulder, or neck pain. It reduces painful pressure from bra straps and discomfort during physical activity.
Sometimes, one breast is larger than the other. In this case, breast reduction can also be used to correct asymmetry. So, after surgery, you may have more self-esteem and feel more comfortable in social events or when having intimacy. Most women who get this surgery are very satisfied with the results!
However, this surgery is a quite complex treatment. It requires an experienced cosmetic surgeon at the forefront to use the most advanced techniques to achieve nicely shaped and natural-looking breasts.
It is major surgery. So, you should know the benefits, complications, and what’s involved.
Also, this plastic surgery is not only for women. Some men with enlarged male breasts (also known as gynecomastia) may also benefit from minimally invasive reduction surgery.
Medically reviewed by Dr Osama Bahsas Zaky
Written by Joaquín Pineda
Updated on June 28, 2021
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?
Breast reduction surgery can help many women who are unhappy with the size, shape, or sagginess of their breasts. This can be easily fixed by downsizing them and giving them more lift.
But many times, this is not only a matter of appearance. Actually, most times there are health reasons! Women with big breast can have problems, such as: psychological distress, skin infections, rashes under the breasts, backache, and neck pain.
Also, many women may sometimes feel self-conscious about their big breasts because they can attract unwanted attention. Besides, it can be challenging to enjoy sports activities or wear certain clothes, especially in hot weather.
Of course, there are other non-invasive alternatives. If you’re overweight, losing a few pounds may help reduce the fatty tissue in your breasts.
Also, you could benefit from a professional bra-fitting service to reduce discomfort and ensure that your bra fits properly. Additionally, you could try physiotherapy exercises to help with pains and aches caused by large breasts.
However, when these measures are not enough, it is time to consider surgery.
HOW IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY DONE?
Before your breast reduction, your doctor will make some recommendations, such as stop smoking at least six weeks before the operation to reduce the risk of complications and speed up the healing process. Also, you must stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, herbal supplements, and alcohol to reduce bleeding and bruising.
In general, you must have a good health status with clearance from your physician. Also, it is advisable to keep your weight steady with a good diet and regular exercise. If you are overweight, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, your doctor may delay your operation.
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. It takes between 2 and 4 hours and requires admission to the clinic for one or two days.
The surgery involves lifting the nipple into its new position, keeping it attached to a ‘stalk’ of tissue (pedicle) to keep it alive. The extra breast tissue and skin are cut away. Then, the remaining skin and tissue are reshaped into a smaller, perkier breast, and the nipple is placed back in.
There are different types of reduction! The best technique for you depends on how much of a reduction you want and the size of your original breasts.
WHAT DO BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY SCARS LOOK LIKE?
The traditional breast reduction technique may leave you with a vertical scar running down your breast plus a horizontal scar below it, across the crease (anchor-shaped). This extensive scar could spoil the final result.
However, new techniques have been developed that leave practically no scar!
If the amount of breast to remove is small, the surgery can be performed through a small incision that only leaves a scar around the areola. If there is more volume and the breast is sagging, another technique is used, leaving a vertical scar running down your breast. This scar is nearly invisible!
For older women with a higher body fat composition, even liposuction could be an alternative that doesn’t leave scars at all!
It is only in very large breasts that a significant reduction is required. In this case, surgery will leave an anchor-shaped scar. Although the resulting shape is not ideal, it has an advantage: recovery is faster!
Whichever your case, scars are usually red during the first six weeks, but most fade over time. They should get invisible and unnoticeable when wearing regular clothes, bra, and bikini tops.
Before you go ahead, take time to think about your decision! In any case, the technique will be discussed with you during the first consultation. You will also be able to see similar cases to your own and the results achieved.
After surgery
When you wake up after surgery, you’ll probably have surgical dressings on your breasts, and drainages may be in place to drain the blood away. After 1 to 2 days, the tubes will be removed, and you’ll be discharged.
You may experience some pain for a few days, which can be relieved with proper analgesic medication. Your breasts will be very swollen and may feel tender after surgery. Don’t worry! This is perfectly normal, and the swelling could last up to 3 months.
It could take between 2 to 6 weeks to recover from surgery fully. After the procedure, it is recommended that you take some weeks off (2-3) and don’t do strenuous exercise or pick up weights for 15 days. Also, you should not drive until it’s no longer painful to wear a seatbelt or your doctor allows you to.
Furthermore, you will have to wear a special bra for the first month to keep the breasts in their new position and allow the scarring to retract. Some plastic surgeons even recommend using this sports bra for up to 3 months after the procedure.
After surgery, there are often bruises and swelling in the postoperative period. In some cases, there could be a reduction or loss of sensitivity in one or both areolas, which is normally recovered over time.
Also, several weeks after the operation, you may feel tired or have less energy than usual. You will probably lose weight after a breast reduction because you are removing fat from your body.
WHAT ARE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY RISKS?
Before surgery, your doctor will explain to you all the possible risks and complications. Although they are unlikely to happen, you must be aware of them.
Breast reduction most common risks are:
- obvious scars
- irregularly shaped breasts or nipples
- wound healing problems
- loss of nipple sensation
- fat necrosis
- excess skin around the scars, which may need to be surgically removed
- hematomas
If you plan to have surgery before having children, be aware that breasts can re-enlarge during pregnancy, affecting the results of the operation.
There is also the possibility that you will not be able to breastfeed after the operation. So, you may need to wait until you’re sure you do not want to have any more children.
Despite all of this, for women with very large breasts, the benefits of a reduction may outweigh any potential problems!
HOW WILL I LOOK AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?
When a patient decides to go in for breast reduction surgery, there is a feeling of uncertainty. And here is where computer simulations come into play.
Recent progress in photographic software allows patients to get an idea of the final result. So, you must talk to your plastic surgeon to find out whether your goals and expectations can be safely achieved with a good outcome!
Gynecomastia: male breast reduction surgery
Gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) is a disorder that causes an increase in the volume of the mammary glands in men. It affects six out of every ten adolescents. It is also common in men over 50 years of age.
Gynecomastia typically appears during puberty. It is considered benign and goes away naturally after three years. Surgery is considered in older men and patients whose pubertal gynecomastia doesn’t disappear.
Doctor Benito has developed a minimally invasive technique for male breast reduction. This technique published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal combines liposuction and the use of a device called “shaver.”
With this technique, a small incision is made at the side of the chest to complete the extraction of the mammary gland and the accumulated fat.
How much does a breast reduction cost?
Breast reduction cost depends on many factors. We don’t offer approximate prices before meeting the patient, as each patient is a different case.
But we know that the economic factor plays an important role when it comes to making this decision. Therefore, we offer the possibility for the patient to go to our facilities for a first free no-obligation visit. The patient can consult the plastic surgeon with all their questions and concerns.
We will offer the best solution and the best price for your breast reduction!
Why choose doctor Benito for your breast reduction surgery in Spain?
With over 20 years of experience, Antiaging Group Barcelona is a leading clinic in Spain for breast reduction surgery.
Doctor Jesús Benito is one of the best breast reduction plastic surgeons in Europe. He masters several surgical techniques, which allow him to achieve the best results.
Doctor Benito is known in Spain for having developed techniques that leave practically no scar!
Doctor Jesús Benito
Specialist in plastic and cosmetic surgery.
- Secretary of the ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
- Former president of the Spanish Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (AECEP).
- 2013 Gold Medal (Forum Europa)
- 2003 McGhan Prize: pioneer in axillary subfascial breast enlargement technique.
Bibliography & Publications:
“Reducción mamaria con la técnica de McKissock modificada”. IV Congreso Hispano-Luso de Cirugía Plástica, Reparadora y Estética. Valladolid, 15 a 18 de Junio de 1994.
Do you want more information about breast reduction?
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Antiaging Group Barcelona
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