Surgery Overview
Doctors perform breast reduction surgery under general anaesthesia in hospitals or outpatient surgical centres to reduce breast fat.
During the Surgery
Surgeons use different methods to reduce breast size:
- Surgery with Incisions: The doctor makes cuts to remove tissue and skin.
- Liposuction: This removes extra fat from the breasts.
Here’s what the doctor typically does:
- Cuts around the nipple, areola, and down the breast.
- Removes extra breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breast smaller.
- Reshapes the breast and moves the nipple and areola (the dark area around the nipple).
In most cases, the nipple stays connected to the breast. For extremely large breasts, doctors may need to remove the nipple and reattach it as a graft.
The surgeon will strive to make both breasts look symmetrical, but they may not be identical. They may also reduce the size of the areola. While scars from the surgery will fade over time, they won’t disappear completely.
After the Surgery
- Your breasts will be covered with bandages, and you’ll wear a surgical bra for support.
- A small tube might be placed under each arm to drain excess blood or fluid.
- You’ll receive pain medication and possibly antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
Recovery: First Few Days to a Week
- Your breasts may feel sore, swollen, and bruised.
- You’ll need to wear a special bra that fastens in the front to support your healing breasts.
Long-Term Recovery
- Avoid heavy physical activity for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Continue wearing the surgical bra to reduce swelling and support healing.
- Scars will gradually fade, and you’ll have follow-up visits with your surgeon to monitor recovery progres
