Breast Reduction

What is breast reduction surgery? Who are suitable candidates for this surgery? Although breast reduction surgery seems to be one of the aesthetic surgeries performed to improve the external appearance of the woman, it is actually a reconstructive surgery, not an aesthetic one. A sagging breast due to large size can cause back and neck pain in women, and can lead to hunchback. There may be numbness due to the pressure of the bra on the arm nerves. There may be difficulty in breathing. As a result of the continuous rubbing of the breast skin and breast skin, there may be rashes and wounds in the submammary groove. Daily physical activity may be limited. In addition, while large breasts create difficulties in choosing clothes, the woman’s disapproval also causes social and psychological problems. A surgery to be applied for breast reduction will give the breasts a natural appearance, the problems listed above will be eliminated, and the life of the person will become easier. Breasts can be large for various reasons. As a result of genetic factors, hormonal changes or some diseases, large breasts that do not adapt to body sizes may occur. With weight changes, breastfeeding and the effect of gravity, the existing problem may increase even more. The increase in breast tissue and the associated large breast can also be seen in young girls.

BEFORE SURGERY

If you are considering breast reduction surgery or want to exchange information about it, you should consult a plastic surgeon. At the first examination, you should clearly tell your doctor about your expectations, in short, why you are considering such an operation and what you expect from this surgery. Your doctor will first listen to you, learn your personal and family history of illness, and then examine you. As a result of this examination, the size and shape of your breasts, the condition of your skin, your age, marriage and whether you will have children, the new location of the nipple, etc. will be discussed with you. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor again and again about what you do not understand. Your doctor will give you information about the details of the surgery, scarring, nipple sensitivity, breastfeeding, type of anesthesia and the risks of the surgery. Seeing pictures of patients who have had previous surgery may make it easier for you to make a decision.

PREPARATION FOR THE SURGERY

In addition to the preoperative tests, mammography and breast ultrasonography should be performed if necessary. Conditions such as high blood pressure, smoking, drug habits, diabetes should be discussed. Blood transfusion is usually not required for breast reduction surgery. You will need someone to assist you on the day of surgery and for the next few days. Breast reduction surgery is a surgery that needs to be done in the hospital, you may need to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days.

OPERATION

In breast reduction surgery, the large breast tissue is reshaped according to the body size of the person. Excess breast tissue and the skin on it are removed.

The nipple is moved to where it should be. The operation is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia in hospital conditions. The operation takes 2.5 – 4 hours. Whichever method is applied, there will definitely be a scar around the nipple. In addition, according to the method applied, an inverted T-shaped scar is left down from the middle of the lower edge of the nipple. The lower part of the T-shaped scar is adapted to the inframammary fold. However, with the recently applied surgical technique, the scar in the breast fold area can be removed. 4.5-5 cm downwards from the middle of the lower edge of the nipple and around the nipple only in suitable individuals. A trace remains. However, these traces are obvious at first, but may become vague over time. The degree of postoperative scars depends on the size of the breast, the surgical method used and finally the scarring feature of the patient’s skin. A group of patients state that they sunbathe topless. In some special cases, it may not be possible to perform the above-mentioned surgical procedures in extremely large breasts. In this case, techniques in which the nipple is carried freely are used, and the scars of this surgery are inverted T-shaped like the above surgeries. However, if this type of surgery is required, there is no sensation and breastfeeding function on the nipple.

POSTOPERATIVE

Post-surgery is usually comfortable. Pain is very little. There may be limitation in arm movements. A bra-like wrap is applied on the breasts or some surgeons put a bra on immediately after surgery. Usually, small pipes called drains are placed in both breasts and removed after 2-3 days. A separate dressing is placed on the nipple. The dressing is opened the next day and the wound is checked. Stitches are usually hidden and are removed around the 10th day. You will stay in the hospital for 2-3 days. The patient is put on a sports bra for 6 weeks. There may be swelling in the early period, numbness of the nipple and purplish discoloration on the skin. These disappear on their own in a short time.

RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE

The patient can return to work after 1 week. It is recommended to stay away from heavy sports for 2-3 months. Breast reduction surgery is an operation that gives good and permanent results in general, improves the mental health of the person and his partner, makes them more committed to life, and especially facilitates the dressing style of the woman. The newly shaped breast is durable for a long time, but weight changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding and gravity can cause breast volume increase and sagging.

RISKS OF BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE

The patient can return to work after 1 week. It is recommended to stay away from heavy sports for 2-3 months. Breast reduction surgery is an operation that gives good and permanent results in general, improves the mental health of the person and his partner, makes them more committed to life, and especially facilitates the dressing style of the woman. The newly shaped breast is durable for a long time, but weight changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding and gravity can cause breast volume increase and sagging.

RISKS OF BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

As with any surgery, breast reduction surgery has some risks. Although most people who have this surgery do not have problems related to the surgery, it is important for you to know about them. In your personal choice, you need to know the risks of the surgery and the benefits it will provide you. When your doctor tells you about these risks, you should discuss them one by one. Bleeding: It is a rare condition, it can be seen during the surgery or in the postoperative period. After the surgery, the drain placed on the breasts is both to monitor whether there is bleeding and to prevent the collection of blood in the breast tissue, albeit a little. Do not take aspirin or similar drugs 15 days before the operation, these drugs may increase the bleeding tendency. Infection: It is an extremely unusual situation. Most surgeons use prophylactic antibiotics right at the beginning of the surgery.Changes in nipple and skin sensitivity: A temporary decrease in the sensitivity of these areas may occur. Scars: Every surgical procedure heals by leaving scars, most of the time the quality of the scars cannot be determined beforehand. While scars are not noticed in some cases, scars may occur in the skin and deep tissues in some patients, and even surgical correction or other treatments may be required in some patients. Dissatisfaction with the result: You may not be satisfied with the size and shape of your breast. There is such a possibility, however small. Pain: Your neck, back and shoulder pain may continue after breast reduction surgery. In rare cases, scars in the skin and deep tissues of the breast can cause pain. Hardness in the breast: Stiffness due to scarring or fat necrosis in the breast can rarely be seen. This is an unpredictable situation. Delay in wound healing: Although rare, it can be seen. Some areas of the breast skin or nipple may take more time to heal completely. Frequent dressing may be required. Wound healing problems are more common in smokers. Asymmetry: Most women naturally have breast asymmetry. There may be differences in the shape, size and symmetry of the breast and nipple. Breast diseases: Breast disease or breast cancer may occur at any time in a person’s life, regardless of breast reduction surgery. The person should have regular breast checks with or without surgery. Breastfeeding: Some women who have had breast reduction surgery are able to breastfeed their children, but this can often be difficult to predict. If you want to have a child and breastfeed, you should discuss this with your doctor before having breast reduction surgery. Allergic reactions: Although rare, it is known that local allergy develops against the plaster, suture materials or pomades used. Need for additional surgery: There are many factors that affect the long-term results of breast reduction surgery. If the breasts become loose or sagging, additional surgery may be required.