Breast Reduction
Indications
Large, heavy breasts
Breast asymmetry, either with or without previous breast surgery
Heavy breasts cause upper back and neck pain, shoulder pain, shoulder grooving and may hinder sports and other physical activities.
When reducing a breast excessive skin, fat and glandular tissue are removed under general anesthesia. The amount that is resected depends on the original breast size and patient’s wishes varying from 100g to more than 2kg per breast. The nipple areola complex is always raised higher up.
How long does it take?
The operation takes about 2 hours and is done as day surgery. The surgical technique depends on the breast size and on the need to be able to breastfeed later. To save the ability to breast feed leads to longer scars and a flatter breast compared to most other techniques. I use drains in both breasts to minimize bruising and swelling. These will be removed in a couple of days in my office. The wounds are closed with dissolving sutures.
What about recovery?
After surgery you will have a big bulky dressing on which is removed when I remove the drains. You are allowed to shower the wounds one day after the drains are removed.
It is very important to wear a supportive sports bra for 3 weeks day and night and another 3 weeks during the day time. You are not allowed to jump, run or do aerobics for 6 weeks after surgery.
The breasts are always bruised and swollen and this may lead to the impression that the breasts are too big or asymmetrical in size. Swelling and bruising disappear in 2-3 weeks. Most people are able to return to office-type work within 2 weeks, but allow up to 4 weeks to return to a physically demanding job.
The scars are red and firm for a few months and this is normal. Scar take up to a year to fully mature. It takes 3-6 months for the breasts to descend and settle down to their new location. Therefore the final follow-up visit is scheduled at 6 months after surgery.
