Breast Reduction

In breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty), the sagging, misshapen breast with excess tissue is reduced and reshaped. Excess breast tissue causes back and lower back pain in women, depression in the shoulder area, and skin diseases due to sweating under the breast. At the same time, women's self-confidence increases after reduction surgery, as it also causes limitations in women's physical activities.

After Surgery

You are usually hospitalized for 1 night. Postoperative eating starts in a short time. Your drains are removed on the 1st or 2nd day. Antibiotics and painkillers are prescribed. Your dressings are left open after the 3rd or 4th day and only special bras are worn. Showering is allowed 48 hours after the drain extraction. Pain, swelling and bruising may occur in the breasts. These complaints regress within 7-10 days. You can return to work after one week, but you should stay away from heavy activities for 4-6 weeks.

Pre-Surgical Evaluation

 Problems caused by breast size in your body are examined. Previous pregnancies, breastfeeding history, breast examinations, family history of breast cancer are questioned. The breast size you want to achieve after surgery is determined.  Then, some measurements such as breast size and chest wall measurement, evaluation of skin quality, evaluation of breast tissue quality, and location of the nipple are carried out.  Preoperative photography and 3D imaging will be applied.

Will Breast Cancer Screening Be Applied Before Surgery?

 As before any breast surgery, breast measurements will be carried out before breast reduction. After obtaining detailed information about you and your family, your breast examination will be applied. One in every eight women develops breast cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to have age-appropriate mammography (breast rontgen) and/or breast ultrasound regardless of the surgery.

Will Preoperative Breast Cancer Screening Be Performed? 

As with the all types of breast surgery, breast screening will be conducted before breast reduction. You will be subjected to breast examination after detailed information about you and your family is obtained. Finally, breast USG and/or mammography will be performed depending on your age.

Surgery

 The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The average duration of the operation is 2-2.5 hours. The nipple is moved higher than its current position. Excess breast tissue and skin are removed. The breast is then shaped and the skin is closed. The nipple is protected. The surgical scars on the breast are formed circularly around the nipple, vertically from the nipple to the inframammary groove and horizontally in the inframammary fold (Inverted T scar). Negative pressure tubes called drains are placed to prevent blood and serum accumulation in the breast, and the operation is ended with dressings and special bra. The removed breast tissues are sent to pathology for examination. 

Side Effects

There may be early and late side effects related to general anesthesia and surgery. Enlarged scar tissue (scars), tissue loss in the nipple, delayed healing problems are the most common ones. Treatments for scars will be planned by your doctor. 

Can I Breastfeed Again After Breast Reduction? 

In breast reduction surgery, some of the milk ducts between the milk glands and the nipple are preserved. If you have enough milk glands in your breast tissue, you will not have problems with breastfeeding after surgery.

Does My Risk of Breast Cancer Increase After Breast Reduction?

All parts removed after breast reduction are sent for pathological examination. Small lumps that are not detected during scans will have a chance to be diagnosed at an early stage. In addition, as the breast tissue in the body is reduced, the risk of breast cancer is also reduced.

Conclusion

Breast reduction surgeries are surgeries with high satisfaction rates.  The person's self-confidence increases, physical activity increases, and complaints such as back pain disappear. Breast tissue does not grow again, but sagging may occur in the following years.