Breast Reduction

Most of the patients who apply with the complaint of breast size need breast reduction operation due to health problems beyond aesthetic concerns.

Breast size, especially at a young age, also causes the person to face psychological problems. Breast size also affects the skeletal system. The weight of the breasts forces the body forward and triggers disorders such as neck hernia, hunching in the back area, and loss of strength in the arms due to nerve compression. This pressure on the skeletal system increases with osteoporosis. The solution to these problems is usually surgical and a breast reduction operation is required.

How is the surgery performed?

The aim is to achieve maximum shape formation with minimal surgical scarring. For this reason, breast measurements and drawings should be well planned before surgery. This stage is as important as the surgery for the surgical result to be obtained.

With breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty, breast size is reduced, shaped and the breast is given a more upright appearance. In these surgeries, the skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue and breast tissue as well as milk gland tissues are removed from the large breast.

In breast reduction surgeries, not only reduction but also lifting and lifting procedures are performed. In addition, if the size of the nipple called areola is large, it is also possible to reduce and shape it.

In breast reduction surgeries, although it varies from person to person, scars are seen under the bra area or bikini. Depending on the surgical technique and the degree of breast reduction, these scars appear as inverted T, J or L-shaped scars around the nipple-areola and towards the inframammary fold area. These scars, which are prominent and red in the first months, lighten in color and become less noticeable in the future.

The operation time varies depending on the size of the breast and the techniques applied, but it takes around 2-4 hours.

What are the points to be considered after surgery?

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The patient is usually discharged after one night in the hospital.

Drains are placed in both breast areas to be removed on approximately days 1-4 after the surgery. Pain is experienced for the first 2 days, which can be reduced with painkillers. Swelling or bruising around the breast is also possible. However, these usually disappear completely after 2 weeks.

Special sports bras are worn to reduce postoperative edema. It is possible to return to desk work 4-5 days after surgery. Generally, exercise and lifting very heavy loads are not recommended for 3-4 weeks.

It takes 6-12 months for the swelling in the breast to completely disappear and the breast to take its final form.

Can I breastfeed after breast reduction surgery?

In some cases, since the milk ducts are also removed to some extent, breastfeeding functions may also be affected after pregnancy. Some studies show that this rate is 10-20 percent.

Who are the risk groups?

Diabetic patients, patients with systemic diseases, patients with various vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially smokers, may have wound healing problems and scars that may occur in the wound may become more pronounced. Therefore, these patient groups should be informed about the possible risks.