In Which Situations Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

Breast reduction surgery is one of the most frequently preferred aesthetic surgeries by women who are not satisfied with the size of their breasts and who have some physical or psychological problems due to this situation. Every woman wants to have upright, flawless and aesthetic-looking breasts. The sagging of large breasts due to the childbirth and breastfeeding process, frequent weight gain and loss, aging, gravity, and genetic factors can cause self-confidence problems in women. Extremely large and heavy breasts can cause women’s bodies to lean forward, bone deformations, spine and back pain, and wounds and rashes under the breasts. Breast tissue that is larger than normal and can cause different problems can be reduced by surgical intervention. 

Why Is Breast Reduction Surgery Needed?

Thanks to breast reduction surgery, women can have equal-looking, symmetrical, upright and aesthetic breasts. With breast reduction surgery, the breasts are brought to a size that patients can feel more comfortable. Thus, patients get rid of neck, back and shoulder pains caused by the size of their breasts and have a more attractive and dynamic appearance.

Breast reduction surgery is performed in line with patient-specific planning and techniques. While the breast adipose tissue, mammary gland tissue, breast skin and nipple area are reduced, the physical characteristics and expectations of the patient are taken into consideration. While the breast tissue is reduced, sagging caused by excess tissue is also eliminated. Before the breast reduction surgery, planning is done by taking pictures. The surgical plan is drawn on the breast and the operation is performed in accordance with this plan. Thus, the breast image with the most compatible appearance with the patient’s body is obtained. 

In breast reduction surgery, only a limited incision around the nipple, an incision extending straight down from the nipple or a reverse T-shaped incision can be made depending on the patient’s age and breast volume. Depending on the incision made, the scars formed in the patient are red-pink at first, but they begin to lose their precision over time and take on a color close to the normal skin color.

How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Take?

Although the duration of breast reduction surgery varies depending on the technique and breast volume, it usually takes 2-4 hours. Patients are kept under observation in the hospital for one day after the operation under normal conditions. Drains are removed a few days after breast reduction surgery. The use of a sports bra facilitates dressing and reduces edema. A sports bra should be worn for at least 1 month after the operation. Heavy sports should not be done and heavy work that may cause fatigue should be avoided during the same period. Movements such as heavy lifting, pushing, pulling should be avoided.  The position of sleeping facing down should be avoided for 4 weeks after the operation and the position of sleeping facing up should be preferred. Bruises that occur after the operation on the breast heal within about 7 – 10 days, and swelling within 6 – 8 weeks. Although it varies from person to person, the breasts reach their final shape within 6 -12 months. 

Early and late problems may be encountered after breast reduction surgery. In the early period, problems such as infection, bleeding and delayed wound healing may occur, although rarely. Late period problems may occur depending on the scar or shape. Dark-skinned people may encounter problems such as redness, precision and itching in the early period. Shape-related problems are often caused by size. For this reason, care should be taken to ensure that the patient’s expectations about the outcome of the surgery are realistic. The patient’s expectations should be clearly understood and planning should be made accordingly. 

Breast reduction surgery is usually performed with a technique called the central pedicure technique, which does not disrupt the mammary gland-nipple relationship. Thanks to this technique, which protects the lactiferous ducts, the patient usually does not have a problem with lactation. However, the preservation of lactation function after breast reduction surgery may vary depending on factors such as the rate of sagging of the breast, the age of the patient and the size of the breast. Care is taken to use techniques that protect the mammary gland and nipple in order to preserve the breastfeeding function of patients who want to have a child. However, in order to reduce the breasts that are too large to a sufficient extent, it may be possible to waive the breastfeeding function, with the knowledge and consent of the patient, when necessary.

Is There Any Scar After Breast Reduction Surgery?

As is the case with all surgical operations, there is a small scar after breast reduction surgery. The scar that occurs after breast reduction surgery may vary depending on the techniques used during the surgery. Depending on the technique applied, L, I, or reverse T-shaped scars may remain around the nipple or below the nipple. The incision made around the nipple is usually not obvious because it intersects with the dark-colored area. The incision made under the breast is also not in a position that can be seen when viewed from the front. 

How much breast reduction can be achieved with breast reduction surgery depends on the patient’s chest measurement, shoulder width, and general body measurements.