Breast Reduction at Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals

Breast Reduction Surgery

The fact that the breasts are larger than they should be causes important health problems for women. For this reason, it is possible to both eliminate health problems and achieve more aesthetically beautiful breasts by performing breast reduction surgery in plastic surgery. It is medically defined as reduction mammaplasty.

What is Breast Reduction? Why is it done?

The health problems caused by the large breasts we just mentioned above are mainly; back and neck pain, shoulder pain, bad smell and rash formation that occur in these parts because excessively large breasts touch the abdomen, desired clothes cannot be worn, movements are restricted, and a bra strap creates an uncomfortable feeling on the shoulder.

Genetic factors often play a role in the causes of large breasts. However, there are also factors that cause breast enlargement and deformation, such as weight gain, pregnancies and births, and breastfeeding.
 

In some women, both breasts are not of equal size. This is called symmetry disorder. During breast reduction surgery, different sizes of silicones are placed to ensure that both breasts are of equal size.

The main purpose of breast reduction surgeries is; The main aim is to eliminate the health problems that occur in the person and to obtain breasts with an aesthetic appearance and without symmetry. Every woman wants less scarring after the procedure, and breastfeeding is asked to continue for breastfeeding mothers. However, these requests are unfortunately not valid for surgeries performed with every technique. You should go to a plastic surgeon and first go through a detailed examination and discuss with the doctor in detail.

Who Is Breast Reduction Performed?

Surgery is mostly performed on women who complain about health problems. In other words, it is often applied not to those who have aesthetic concerns, but to those who have health problems due to large and sagging breasts. However, with a single operation, both ideal and healthy size breasts are brought and the desired aesthetic appearance is achieved. This causes women to leave the hospital very happy after the procedure.

Breast development must be fully completed before the operation can be performed. Surgeons do not want to do this procedure for breasts that have not completed their development. However, in some cases, the excessive size of the breasts causes serious health problems. In such cases, an earlier surgical intervention can be performed. Often, the breasts complete their developmental age around the age of 20.

How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

In order to reduce the breasts with surgery, the fat tissues in the skin and the inner structure of the breast are surgically removed. As we have just said, since the development of the breasts is around 20 years, this age is often expected for surgery. In addition, both physical development and hormonal development must be completed. Apart from these, if there is no medical necessity, the person is expected to complete the conditions.

Before starting the operation, the patient is given general anesthesia. It can be done using two techniques. These are reverse T incision and lollipop incision types. Depending on the condition of the person and the size of the breasts, the operation takes between 2 and 4 hours on average.

In determining the place where the incision will be made, many factors such as the condition of the breast crease, the position of the nipple, how much breast tissue is (is it less or ideal), the structural characteristics of the skin, the distance between the nipple and the shoulder and the hip are evaluated, and it is decided where the incision will be made and the entrance.

If we take a closer look at the incision technique called lollipop; The circumference of the nipple is cut in a circular way and excess tissues are removed from this way. In some cases, the surgeon can reposition the nipple higher if necessary.

During the operation, the surgeon works meticulously not to damage the patient's milk ducts. After the procedures are completed, the incision is closed and a drain is placed in order to take the blood and fluids accumulated in the inner part of the breast out of the body for a faster recovery. This drain is removed before leaving the hospital.

In the incision technique called inverted T; an Inverted T-shaped incision is made from the lower part of the breast and entry is provided. Then, after the excess tissues are removed, the breast tissue is recovered and the incision opened by shaping is closed and the surgery ends. Again, a drain is placed to remove the collected blood that we have just mentioned.

It is not possible to leave the hospital on the same day after the operation. One night hospital stay is required. The inserted drain is removed and the patient can go home after the necessary dressings are made.

In the first and second weeks after the procedure, the surgeon gives the patient an appointment for control. These appointments should definitely be attended. At the end of the 15-day control, the stitches are removed and special creams are given to minimize the scar.

The type of bra recommended by the physician should be used regularly and for the period recommended by the physician. In this way, deformations that may occur in the breast are tried to be minimized. After about a week of rest, patients can return to their normal life. However, the sports bra recommended by the physician should be worn for 45 days. Or as long as the doctor wants it to be worn.

Is There Any Scar After Breast Reduction Surgery?

As with every plastic surgery performed, breast reduction surgery is a surgical procedure that leaves a trace. However, how many scars will remain depends on the technique of the operation. In the lollipop technique we mentioned above, there will be less scarring. The reason is that the incision made for entry is small. In addition, the application of the incision around the nipple is also effective in reducing the scar. The incision made due to the color on the nipple is easily hidden and difficult to notice.

In the second technique, the inverted T-shaped technique, the surgical scar will be larger and more prominent. Because an incision is made at the beginning of the breast towards the lower part. Although this incision may be pink in the early stages, it becomes indistinct over time and becomes indistinct. In the incision made from the breast fold, the scar cannot be noticed as long as it is viewed from the opposite side. The scars that will remain may vary depending on how much the breast is reduced and how much the breast sagging. Because the rate of the operation to be done depends on it.

The surgeon tries to make the shape of the breasts in the best and aesthetic way. The better it is, the less it will appear in the traces. In addition, due to the high quality of the techniques and materials used today, much more traces remain.

How Much Shrinkage is Achieved with Surgery?

Factors such as the person's chest circumference, the width of the shoulders, body structure, and proportions of their measurements are effective on how much reduction will be achieved. Especially in cases where breastfeeding function needs to be preserved, breasts can only be reduced to a certain extent. If the large breasts are brought to the desired dimensions, the breastfeeding function will be affected. The measurements to be made by the doctor before the operation and the extent to which the breasts can be reduced at the end of the examination is determined and shared with the patient.

Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery

The condition of the sagging of the breasts, age, size of the breasts, and is it desired to have a baby afterward? Factors such as these determine which techniques will be used for breast reduction.

Medically, it can be ensured that breastfeeding is not affected by preserving the mammary gland and its connections with the nipple. However, if the breasts are excessively large and need to be greatly reduced, the surgeon may explain the situation to the patient after the procedure and say that the breastfeeding function may be damaged. Otherwise, sufficient reduction cannot be performed. If the patient accepts this, the operation can be performed.

Post-Surgery Recovery Process

After breast reduction surgery, patients often stay in the hospital overnight and are discharged the next day. After the drains placed and dressings are made, the patient is put on a sports bra and discharged. The physician invites the patient for two check-ups, one week later and two weeks later. After 4 days after the operation, the patient can take his first shower. Usually, a week of rest is sufficient and it is possible to return to normal life. A sports bra can be used for up to 6 weeks.

One of the most asked questions after the operation is pain? is the question. It is similar to the pain that occurs after other plastic surgeries. Pain that can be easily controlled with painkillers to be prescribed and ice application occur. Between 6 months and 12 months following the surgery, some problems such as burning in the breasts, mild tingling, and stinging may occur. But these complaints are not severe.

What Should Be Considered After the Surgery?

After breast aesthetic surgery, patients should rest at home for at least 3 days and try to recover. After the operation, the physician will prescribe the necessary painkillers and the necessary antibiotics against the risk of infection. These drugs should be used regularly. Post-operative dressings should be done regularly.

Since recovery will be completed gradually as soon as recovery is achieved, it will be necessary to avoid movements that force the arms for at least 1 month after the procedure. It is very important to stay away from carrying heavy loads and actions such as pushing or pulling.

The sports bra that the physician strongly recommends to be worn should be used regularly. Thanks to the bra, the pain will be less and it will help shape the breasts. Therefore, it is important to use it regularly.

After the operation, edema and swelling occur in the breasts. This is perfectly normal and will subside rapidly in about 3 to 4 weeks. However, it takes between 6 months and 1 year to see the full effect of the operation and to take the full shape of the breasts. It is normal to have occasional burning, stinging and mild pain until it takes its full shape. A severe complaint is not expected.

After the operation, if necessary, the stitches are removed by the physician 12 to 15 days later. After the breast aesthetic surgery, people should protect themselves by avoiding heavy and intense sports, especially until 2 months have passed. One month after the procedure, light walks can be done without forcing the body.

Movements that will strain the chest muscle and arms, heavy lifting, and sudden movements should be avoided. This is because if the chest muscle is loaded and strained, bleeding may occur in the chest and openings may occur in the stitches. That's why it's really important not to force it.

If smoking is present, smoking should be discontinued for at least one month after the surgery. First of all, smoking causes delayed wound healing. Secondly, it causes constriction in small vessels, impairs the blood supply of the tissues and skin in the operation area, and consequently reduces tissue nutrition. As a result of these; Undesirable tables such as inflammation, the opening of sutures, and wound opening may be encountered.