Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) surgery is an elective procedure, and patients should get all the information they need before beginning the process.
If you are considering breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) surgery, it’s important that you know the facts about the procedure. Here’s what you should know…
What should I know before going ahead with surgery?
If you are considering a breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) , it’s important that you take the time to gather all the information you need, and that you feel comfortable with the details of the procedure and what you can expect afterwards.
You should know that the shape and size of your breasts, as well as the nature of the scars on the breasts, will change following surgery. In fact, it takes at least six to twelve months for the breasts to settle into their final shape, because they change significantly from six weeks to six months post-surgery. It’s really important to have that understanding and feel comfortable knowing what you can expect from the surgery.
What can I expect on the day of the surgery?
You will see Dr Yang’s nurse who will talk you through the scarring you can expect from the procedure and how it can be managed and improved as quickly as possible. The nurse will measure you for a garment so that after surgery you are able to wear a properly fitted, supportive surgical bra for a minimum of six weeks. You can expect to wear the surgical bra day and night during this time.
The procedure itself is either a day procedure or you may stay overnight in the hospital depending on varying factors which we can decide on the day. During the procedure, skin and fat is removed rather than deep muscle, so pain is generally not a huge factor for patients. It is important to take a break from strenuous physical activity for around two weeks following surgery.
How do I know what my ideal size is?
Often in the case of breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) , patients will use prosthetics to decide what size breasts they would like. In the case of a reduction, it often comes down to the use of photographs and discussions. Having a discussion with your surgeon is very important so that they can get an idea of what your ideal breast size is. While most women would like to achieve a c-cup size, using bra sizes can be tricky because they are not a consistent form of measurement.
Dr Yang encourages his patients to think about the proportions of their breasts — while it’s possible to aim for a certain volume and cup size, the specific cup size can’t be guaranteed every time and Dr Yang will aim instead on getting the breast size and shape in proportion with the shoulders and hips.
Is it possible to have a second breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty)?
It is possible to have a second breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty)— sometimes women who have had a reduction very young and then experience weight gain following childbirth may return for another reduction later in life. The technical aspects of the procedure change in this type of case, so if you are contemplating a second breast reduction, it can be helpful to go back to the surgeon who performed your initial procedure. If that is not possible, we recommend that you try and get the operation notes from the initial breast reduction procedure.
The aim of breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) is to reduce volume and lift the position of the nipple, but to do that, your surgeon needs to free the nipple from the surrounding breast tissue to allow it to move. During this process, the blood supply is reduced so Specialist Plastic Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgeons use different parts of the breast tissue to keep the nipple alive and to allow it move to its new position. This causes scars in the breast tissue itself, so it’s important that your surgeon is aware where these scars are located before performing a second reduction.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Yang, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
