Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue and skin to make the breasts smaller, lifted and body-compatible. Excessively large breasts cause not only aesthetic but also health problems. Especially neck, back and lower back pain, pressure marks on the shoulders caused by bra straps, rash and fungus formation on the skin are common complaints. The main goal of breast reduction surgery is to eliminate the patient’s health problems and to achieve a natural and proportional aesthetic appearance.
Who is it applied to?
- People whose daily life is made difficult due to breast size,
- People who experience limitations while doing sports and moving,
- People who suffer from chronic back, neck and shoulder pain,
- People who are psychologically negatively affected,
- People who experience significant breast asymmetry (size difference between two breasts).
Although breast development is generally expected to be completed for breast reduction surgery, young patients with serious health problems can also be operated at an early age in line with the physician’s recommendations.
Impact on breastfeeding
Depending on the technique used in breast reduction surgery, some of the milk ducts may be affected. Therefore, there is a possibility of a decrease in breastfeeding function. However, since there is no surgery to remove all breast tissue and milk glands during the breast reduction operation, a complete loss of breastfeeding function is not expected.
Recovery after breast reduction
After breast reduction surgery, patients can usually return to their daily lives within a few days, but it is normal to experience swelling, edema and mild pain in the first weeks. The use of a supportive bra helps to shape the breasts and accelerate healing. It is important to avoid heavy lifting and intense exercises for the first few weeks in order not to negatively affect wound healing. The stitches applied in the breast reduction operation can dissolve spontaneously or can be removed under the doctor’s control.
Since breast reduction surgery is a surgical procedure, it definitely leaves scars; however, the appearance of these scars decreases significantly over time. The surgical technique used, the patient’s skin structure and the care in the healing process affect how prominent the scars will be. The scars, which appear pink or red in the first months after surgery, fade over time and approach the skin color. Regular cream, silicone gel and care methods recommended by the doctor accelerate this process.
The location of the scars is usually around the nipple and on the lower part of the breast. Since they can be easily concealed with clothes or a bra, they do not pose a disturbing problem in social life. Sun protection is also very important for more aesthetic healing of scars. With the right technique, careful care and patience, scars after breast reduction lose their prominence over time and become difficult to notice in most patients.
What are the differences between breast reduction and breast lift?
Although breast reduction and breast lift surgeries are performed with similar techniques, their purposes are actually different. Breast reduction is preferred when the breasts are larger and heavier than normal. During this surgery, excess breast tissue and skin are removed to reduce the volume and to give the breasts a more upright and aesthetic shape. In other words, the reduction procedure also provides a lifting effect.
Breast lift, on the other hand, is applied for people who have normal or small breast volume but have sagging problems. In this surgery, the breast tissue is removed either completely or minimally, excess skin is removed and the nipple is positioned higher to achieve a youthful and erect appearance. In patients with significant volume loss, not only lifting is not enough, but silicone prosthesis can also be added. In summary, while breast reduction aims at both reduction and shaping, breast lift aims only at shaping and lifting.