Breast Reduction
(Mamoplasty)

Overly large and pendulous breasts can be as disturbing to a woman as extremely small breasts. In addition, back and shoulder pain, as well as breast discomfort, is commonplace, with these difficulties at times being severe enough to impair normal respiration.

Lesser problems relate to the need for supportive undergarments and difficulty in finding fashionable clothing, while extremely large breasts also limit participation in various athletic activities.

Breast reduction surgery involves removing an amount of breast tissue to make the breast smaller and shapelier. In many cases the nipple is very low on the breast, even facing downwards. In order to make the appearance proportional to the rest of the body, very often the nipple will need repositioning at the same time as the excess tissue is removed.

When performing breast reduction surgery, the incision line runs around the areola (nipple) and then vertically down the centre of the breast, curving out and under the breast where it meets the chest wall.

Although the resulting incision lines can be seen in the naked form, a normal bra or swimsuit conceals any evidence of surgery, and the lines do fade in time.

For most patients, these lines are much preferred to the alternative, which is the discomfort, and even embarrassment, of carrying around overlarge breasts.

Following breast reduction surgery, nipple sensitivity may be affected to some degree, but it should be recognised that the overlarge, pendulous breast is less sensitive to begin with. Patients should also note that generally, breastfeeding would not be possible after a breast reduction operation.

Most women who opt for this surgery do so for health reasons, so the resulting effects on their appearance are an added bonus. Smaller, more proportionate breasts have an instant effect on a woman’s posture, which when added to her newfound freedom of upper body movement is a powerful boost to the self-esteem. They will tend to carry themselves more confidently, and are able to dress more stylishly in figure-hugging fashion clothing. This subsequent new wardrobe also includes a whole new world of beautiful lingerie generally unavailable to large breasted women.

Post Operative Healing
Breast Reduction surgery involves a 1-2 night hospital stay, subject to a surgeon’s assessment of the patient. Sutures (stitches) are usually removed in two stages after approximately 7 and 14 days, if they are not dissolvable. During this time there will be some swelling, which is suppressed by the patient wearing a support or sports bra continually for a period of approximately 4 weeks. For the first few days there may also be some slight bruising. The patient is advised not to drive for 5-7 days following surgery, and to avoid heavy lifting and any strenuous exercise involving use of the arms for a minimum of four weeks.