Breast reduction
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We are a team of experienced healthcare specialists providing comprehensive medical services to patients worldwide. Our mission is to make healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of location or financial circumstances. We guarantee high standards of quality and professionalism in all our services.
Why choose HEG for breast reduction?
We offer a personalized approach and comprehensive packages that include everything—from transfers to post-operative support—ensuring a comfortable experience. Our doctors are certified specialists with long-term experience and more than 6,000 successful surgeries. We strive to achieve natural and beautiful results tailored to your unique needs. Choose HEG for expert care that combines safety, quality, and attention to your expectations.
Breast reduction
The cost may vary based on the volume of the intervention, its complexity, and the selection of the doctor by the patient.
Doctors
What is Breast reduction ?
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size that is more proportional to your body and alleviate the discomfort associated with excessively large breasts (macromastia).
Disproportionately large breasts can cause both physical and emotional distress for patients. Women with macromastia may experience physical discomfort resulting from the weight of their breasts, making it challenging to perform daily physical activities. Along with the physical ailments of macromastia, some women may suffer from emotional distress or more significant mental health problems due to their large breasts.
Although breast reduction is often performed to address medical issues, women who do not have the symptoms of macromastia but are unhappy with the size of their breasts can still opt for breast reduction as a cosmetic procedure. Women choosing to undergo breast reduction surgery for aesthetic reasons may cite various factors, including social stigmas and wardrobe concerns.
Overly large breasts can cause health and emotional problems. In addition to self-image issues, women may also experience physical pain and discomfort. The weight of excess breast tissue can impair their ability to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often associated with having large pendulous breasts can be as important an issue as the physical discomfort and pain.
You may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery if:
- You are physically healthy
- You have realistic expectations
- You don’t smoke
- You are bothered by feeling that your breasts are too large
- You have breasts that limit your physical activity
- You experience back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
- You have shoulder indentations from bra straps
- You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
There are three common techniques for breast reduction surgery: liposuction, vertical (lollipop) breast reduction, and inverted T (anchor) breast reduction.
Procedure types
LIPOSUCTION FOR BREAST REDUCTION
LIPOSUCTION FOR BREAST REDUCTION
Liposuction is a quicker, less invasive procedure for breast reduction that offers lasting results with minimal scarring. Liposuction is an option if you are seeking nominal to moderate changes in breast size, if your breast tissue is mostly fatty tissue, and if you have good skin elasticity.
While breast size is reduced with liposuction, the overall shape and contour of the breast, including the position of the areola and nipple, will remain the same. If you are seeking a lift, modification to breast shape or symmetry, one of the surgical options below may be best.
VERTICAL (LOLLIPOP) BREAST REDUCTION
The lollipop breast reduction requires two incisions: one at the edge of the areola and the other from the lower edge of the areola to the crease beneath the breast. While there may be more scarring with this procedure compared to liposuction, the scars are located beneath the breast and are generally concealed by clothing or the shape of the breast itself.
A vertical incision breast reduction is ideal for those who need mild to moderate reduction in breast size or for those with noticeable sagging who would like significant reshaping and lifting of the breast tissue. This method allows for the removal of both fat and glandular tissue. The breast is made narrower, lifted, and restructured, so that the areola and nipple are moved to a natural-looking position.
VERTICAL (LOLLIPOP) BREAST REDUCTION
INVERTED T (ANCHOR) BREAST REDUCTION
INVERTED T (ANCHOR) BREAST REDUCTION
The Inverted T breast reduction incurs the same two incisions as the vertical incision breast reduction, but with one additional incision that follows the crease underneath the breast. While there will be more scarring with this method, scars are concealed by the shape of the breast itself, bras and bikini tops.
An anchor, or inverted T breast reduction allows for greater tissue removal and more extensive reshaping. This method is thus ideal for those with significant sagging or in need of a considerable reduction in breast size. However, this method also requires the longest downtime.
What to expect
Before the surgery, a breast ultrasound is performed on the patient to guide the doctor in determining the size and characteristics of the breast. To prepare for the surgery, patients should stop taking medications such as aspirin at least 10 days before the procedure. Diabetic patients should keep their blood sugar levels under control. Smoking should also be avoided prior to the surgery. In addition, patients should fast for at least 8 hours before the surgery. It is important to inform your doctor of all medications and natural health products you are taking, as some may increase the risk of complications during the surgery. Your doctor will advise you on whether you need to stop taking any of these medications and when to do so. Finally, it is recommended to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least one night after the procedure if you are not staying in the hospital.
Depending on your individual case, breast reduction surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure, or you may need to stay in the hospital for at least one night. General anesthesia will be administered in either case.
The surgery typically lasts between 2 to 5 hours, although it may take longer depending on the complexity of the case. Your surgeon will select the most appropriate surgical method based on factors such as the size and shape of your breasts, the amount of tissue to be removed, and your desired post-surgical appearance.
There are several surgical methods available, including:
- Liposuction: Small incisions are made in the skin and a thin tube is used to suction fat and fluids from the breast. This is best for small reductions and for individuals whose skin will easily retract.
- Vertical or “lollipop”: This method is for moderate reductions and visible sagging. Incisions are made around the areola and down to the crease beneath the breast. Extra tissue and fat are removed, and the breast is reshaped and lifted.
- Inverted-T or “anchor”: This type of surgery is best for large reductions and for individuals with significant sagging or unevenness. Incisions are made around the edge of the areola, from the areola to the breast crease, and along the crease underneath the breast.
After the surgery, your surgeon may use drainage tubes and then stitch up your breasts and wrap them in special gauze. You may also be required to wear a surgical bra for a period of time.
The person will need to stay in the hospital for one day after the surgery. Once the drainage is removed and the dressing is done, the patient can be discharged. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled at the end of the first and second weeks after the surgery.
As with most surgeries, scarring may occur on the skin after breast reduction surgery. The size and shape of the scar can vary depending on the surgical technique used.
It is essential to take antibiotics and painkillers as prescribed by the doctor, at the correct dosage and time after the surgery. Wearing a supportive sports bra that does not apply pressure on the breasts and prevents excessive movement is crucial for pain relief and breast shaping. The doctor will determine how long the bandage needs to be worn.
For about four weeks after the surgery, heavy lifting and pushing/pulling movements should be avoided. Light exercise movements can be started after the first month, but weight lifting and activities that strain the arm and chest muscles should be avoided. After breast reduction surgery, the breast tissue will appear swollen and edematous. This puffy appearance usually decreases in about 3 to 4 weeks, and it takes around 1 year for the breasts to fully recover their natural appearance.
To promote rapid tissue and scar healing, smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided for at least one month. Both smoking and alcohol use can impair cell regeneration and visibility of the surgical scar.
Frequently asked questions
The average breast reduction surgery can take two to four hours to complete. Your surgeon may be able to give you an estimate of how long your particular procedure will take.
Anesthesia will be given during the procedure, but you should expect to feel sore for two to three days after surgery. You will be prescribed pain medication, and your surgeon may advise placing wrapped ice packs gently over sore areas to help with pain and swelling. If your pain lasts longer than a few days or becomes unbearable, contact your care team immediately.
Patients are commonly given a surgical bra to wear for two weeks after surgery, 24 hours a day. At your follow-up visit, your care team will let you know if you should continue to wear the surgical bra or if you can wear a similar support garment of your choice. They will also let you know when it is appropriate to wear a traditional bra. It is commonly advised to avoid underwire bras for three months after breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction surgery should only be performed when the breasts are fully developed. After that, it can be performed on women of any age.
The answer is yes. The breast tissue and the skin are removed and the nipple and the areola are raised to a higher location. The lift is a part of the breast reduction procedure.
