Breast Reduction Overview
Breast growth begins during puberty and growth stops after the breast reaches a certain size. However, in rare cases growing phase continues, and this causes gigantomastia or breast hypertrophy.
Apart from that, weight changes and pregnancy and lactation are other factors that cause breast growth.
Giant breast isn’t just a condition that leads to aesthetic anxiety and affects the proportion, it also reduces the comfort of life. People with large breasts often experience back and neck pain that requires hernia surgery. Permanent bra marks, not being able to choose clothes, looking fat, fungal infection, and rash formation in the lower parts of the breasts are also the most common problems.
Breast reduction is the only permanent solution to eliminate these problems. Also, if there is an asymmetry between the breasts, it is possible to achieve harmony through this operation.
Breast reduction takes 2-3 hours, and it requires general anesthesia.
Breast Reduction Techniques
While choosing the technique, the patient’s age, wishes, and needs and the size of the breast are determinative.
The techniques are divided into two as liposuction and T method.
Liposuction: This method is performed by removing excess fat tissue in the breast. The liposuction which is done without scars and incisions isn’t suitable for everyone. For liposuction, the patient must have excess fat in the chest area.
However, the limited adipose tissue can be removed from the breast. Therefore, liposuction doesn’t significantly reduce the size. Also, since the breast skin is sensitive, the amount of fat to be removed should be determined before the operation. Otherwise, it causes sagging.
T Technique: In this method, a straight incision is created from the tip of the breast towards the bottom. If necessary, a horizontal incision is made on the lower part of the breast. In this way, an inverse T forms. With this method, excess tissue is taken out, and stitching is done.
Compared to the liposuction techniques, scars may be more obvious. Still, over time, the scars become unnoticed.
Before Breast Reduction Operation
- The mammogram should be screened and the result should be maintained for some time.
- Smoking and alcohol should be stopped at least 2 weeks before the operation.
- The surgeon must be informed about chronic diseases and medicines used.
- The surgeon must be informed about previous operations.
- Medicines with a blood-thinning effect should not be used.
- Fasting should be provided for at least 6 hours before the operation.
After Breast Reduction Operation
The hospitalization may be required according to the technique used. While after the procedure performed with liposuction, the patient can go home on the same day, after the procedures performed with the T Technique, it may be necessary for hospitalization because a silicone tube (drain) is attached. Before leaving the hospital, drains are taken and dressing is done.
Slight pain, tingling, and swelling may be experienced at different degrees after the operation. In this case, it’s unnecessary for the patient to worry because the symptoms disappear in a short time.
To get the desired result, the patient should pay attention to the followings after breast reduction operation:
- In the first days after the operation, the breast area should be protected from any impact.
- Prescribed medicines should be taken regularly. However, painkillers should be taken only in case of severe pain.
- Plenty of water should be consumed and a healthy diet should be provided.
- In order not to put pressure on the breast, a supine or semi-sitting position should be provided while sleeping.
- Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided for a minimum of 2 weeks after the operation.
- Sports bra should be worn for 4-6 weeks after the operation.
- Sea, pool, Turkish bath, and sauna should not be visited.
- Strenuous activities should not be done.
- If dryness occurs on the breast skin after the operation, moisturizing ointments recommended by the surgeon should be used.
- The surgeon’s recommendations should be strictly followed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The operation takes between 2 and 4 hours.
To get the operation, the adolescence must be finished and the bone and tissue development must be completed. Therefore, the limit is 18
There may be slight pain for 2-3 days after the operation, but it can be overcome with the pain killers.
There may be numbness in the areas treated, however, this is a temporary situation.
Within a week, it is possible to return to daily life.
If the liposuction method is preferred, there is no scar. However, there is the possibility of scarring after operations performed by the T Technique.
One night hospital stay is enough. It’s recommended to rest at home for the next 2-3 days.
This procedure is ideal for those who experience growth after breastfeeding, those suffering from low back pain and neck pain caused by genetic breast size (hypertrophy), and those who are faced with the problem of asymmetry in the breast.
Complete recovery occurs within 6 months after the operation.
Breast reduction requires general anesthesia.
