BREAST REDUCTION
Breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is a surgical procedure used to reduce the size of the breasts via the extraction of fat, mammary tissue and skin, in order to make them smaller, lighter and firmer. Women with large breasts can suffer a variety of problems due to an excess of this weight, such as backache and neckache, skin irritation underneath the breasts as well as breathing problems. The object of breast reduction is to furnish the woman with smaller breasts and with a more proportional size to the rest of her body.
DETAILS
The procedure lasts between 2 and 4 hours.
General anaesthesia
Requires admittance to hospital, with release after 2 or 3 days.
After the breast operation it is normal to feel tired for a few days but you will be able to resume normal daily life after 24 to 48 hours. Most discomfort is easily remedied with prescribed medication, although for a couple of weeks the breasts may feel sore. The bandage or dressing will be taken off after a few days and substituted with a special bra.
THE OPERATION
Diverse techniques exist but in general the incisions are made in the shape of an anchor and are inserted around the areola in a downwards vertical line from the areola, and a horizontal line in the fold underneath the breast. The excess skin, fat and mammary tissue is extracted through these incisions and the areola and nipple put in its new position; in some cases liposuction can be combined. In most cases the areola remains attached to its blood vessels and nerves, maintaining normal or practically normal feeling; however, in cases of large reductions it can be necessary to completely detach the areola and situate it in its new position, losing feeling. After surgery some drain tubes are attached and a bandage placed around the breasts.
POST-OPERATIVE
After the reduction it can be normal to feel a decrease or loss in the sensation of the nipples; this situation is generally temporary, except in some reductions when it is permanent. The stitches are taken out after between 7 to 14 days; the oedema doesn´t cease until between 3 and 6 weeks.
After the breast reduction you can return to work in 2 or 3 weeks, although after only a few days you can return to a practically normal life. Strenuous physical activities must be limited for several weeks until you have recovered from the operation. For 1 or 2 weeks it is advisable to avoid sexual relations so as not to make the incisions swell; for 3 or 4 weeks avoid intense physical contact with the breasts. It is normal that small scabs or a bit of liquid from the incisions should appear. The doctor will maintain regular check-ups over the following months after surgery in order to see how the healing process is evolving. Should you feel any discomfort or have any doubts about what you may or may not do between visits, don’t hesitate to contact us.
PRICE
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Collegiate number 0203922
