What Should You Expect From a Breast Reduction Procedure?

• 4 November 2019
• MCC Marketing

Last updated on July 10, 2024

A woman’s body is always changing. From puberty through adulthood, through all the stages of pregnancy and all the stages of aging, our bodies are constantly evolving. Whether determined by genetics or hormonal changes, our breasts change right along with everything else in life. And for some, those changes can have a negative impact on self-esteem. At My Cosmetic Clinic in Newcastle, NSW we are committed to helping you feel beautiful through treatments like breast reduction that can give you back your confidence.

If you aren’t sure a breast reduction is the right choice for you, that’s okay. There is a lot of mixed information out there about this kind of procedure. To give you the best information to make a fully informed decision, we have put together this simple guide of everything you need to know about breast reduction procedures.

What Is Breast Reduction?

If you guessed that a breast reduction is a type of surgery, then you guessed right. A reduction procedure is designed to reduce the size of your breasts by removing tissue and skin. Also called a reduction mammoplasty, this kind of procedure is regularly done for women of all ages and lifestyles.

Unlike most body weight, the size of your breasts isn’t something you can work off through diet and exercise. That’s where surgery becomes an indispensable solution.

Benefits of Breast Reduction

There are countless benefits of breast reduction. Some women consider reductive surgery to be the best decision they’ve ever made, and it can be a huge game-changer in the way women feel about their bodies and their overall health. Let’s discuss some of the main benefits of reduction mammoplasty:

Lifestyle

Larger breasts make it a little more difficult to do basic everyday activities, such as exercising or playing sports. Large breasts can impede living your life. Large breasts can complicate everything from wearing a seatbelt properly to carrying a basket of laundry.

Some women are so challenged by the obstacle of their breasts they abandon healthy activities altogether. A reductive procedure on your breasts can return some freedom to your everyday life.

Clothing

Finding clothes that fit are a problem for many women. But whether your problem is in your hips or your bust, you probably won’t be finding that little black dress that fits like a glove unless you have it tailor-made. And for women who can only afford to buy off the rack, it can be an endless source of frustration to find clothes that fit a large bust and everywhere else. After a reductive procedure, it will be much easier to shop for clothes that fit you properly.

And speaking of clothes, any woman with a large bust understands what a nightmare it can be to find a bra that doesn’t dig, pinch, or leave marks. Many women with larger breasts have difficulty finding bras that are both comfortable and supportive. After your procedure, you will have a better time finding bras that fit correctly.

Confidence

Many women with large breasts feel self-conscious by the size of their chests. Feeling insecure about the appearance of your breasts can lead to hiding behind clothes or avoiding intimacy with your partners.

There is also the added self-consciousness that comes when your bust draws unwanted attention. Women who have undergone a reduction surgery have often found a greater sense of confidence and self-worth once they have fully recovered.

Health

Large breasts can be a cause of multiple health concerns. For example, many women with larger bust sizes often suffer from neck, shoulder, and back pain since the muscles in your back have to work double-time to support your chest. Women with large breasts can suffer spine issues from slumping forward from the weight on their chests.

Additionally, large breasts can cause skin irritation beneath the breast folds. After reduction procedures, many women report less pain and better posture.

Regardless of what you seek from a reduction mammoplasty, there are many additional benefits you might not have considered before. For most women, these benefits are enough reason to have a reduction.

What Should You Expect From a Breast Reduction Procedure?

Women who are considering a reduction mammoplasty are often curious about the exact steps involved in the whole process. We have created an outline of what to expect from a breast reduction procedure, from your initial appointment to your recovery and every step along the way.

Initial Appointment

Your initial appointment will be a consultation at our office. At this appointment, we will examine your breasts and talk about your appearance goals to determine if this procedure is right for you. We will discuss your current health, your medical history, and other lifestyle factors that might need to be taken into consideration if you are a candidate for the procedure. We will discuss if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as these are also factors of consideration for this procedure.

Part of this appointment may include taking photographs of your breasts so that we can create a treatment plan. These photographs will act as a reference for what needs to be done on the day of your surgery to accomplish your ideal appearance. We may also ask that you have a mammogram done so we can have a baseline reference of your breast tissue. There may be other lab tests we will ask you to complete.

At this appointment, we may discuss other treatment options available to you. For example, a reduction might be too drastic a step for you if a breast lift or non-surgical treatment can accomplish the same goal. Our priority is to guide you toward your ideal appearance with the best treatment options available.

Pre-Treatment Guidelines

There are a few guidelines we will ask you to follow before your procedure. These guidelines are for your health and safety, so we ask that you follow the advice we provide for you. Some pre-treatment guidelines include:

• Avoid smoking for 48 hours before the procedure
• Avoid certain over-the-counter medications and supplements 48 hours before the procedure
• No eating or drinking for 12 hours before the procedure
• Arrange transportation to and from hospital

Procedure

From the time you arrive at the hospital to the time you leave, a reduction mammoplasty is just like any other surgery. After you are admitted to the hospital and change into a surgical gown, we will administer a general anesthetic that will keep you sedated through your surgery.

Dr. Ansari will perform your procedure, removing excess breast tissue, skin, and fat to achieve the desired size and shape for each breast. Usually, a reduction mammoplasty is done with incisions, liposuction, or a combination of both. The methods used for your procedure are determined by your personalized treatment plan. Once the right shape and size has been achieved, the doctor will suture the breasts to lift them into the right position and then your wounds will be dressed.

From start to finish, a reduction mammoplasty takes between 3 and 4 hours to complete. Depending on the amount of work needed to be done and how well you respond to general anesthesia, you may either be an outpatient or be asked to stay at the hospital overnight.

Post-Treatment Guidelines

There are certain post-treatment guidelines that you will be asked to follow. Along with other dressings and prescriptions, you will be given a surgical bra that comes with its own instructions to help facilitate your recovery. Some post-treatment guidelines you will be asked to follow include:

• Avoid smoking for 48 hours after the procedure
• Avoid certain over-the-counter medications and supplements for a time after the procedure
• Take the medication and antibiotics as prescribed
• Do not shower for 1 day after the procedure
• Limit activity and movement

You will have a follow-up appointment at some point during your recovery time, usually about 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.

Recovery

Recovering from a reduction surgery takes some time. Your breasts will be sensitive and sore for the first 3 to 7 days after the procedure and will feel bruised. This temporary discomfort is normal and will fade. Overall, you will be limiting movement and activity for 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.

Most women are recovered 2 to 4 weeks after the procedure and can resume light to normal activity. Full recovery from this procedure takes about 6 weeks, which is also the amount of time you are asked to wear the surgical bra. The surgical bra is designed to help you heal and is meant to be worn 24 hours a day, although it should be taken off for bathing.

Results

Some women wonder when they can expect to see results following a reduction mammoplasty. After you wake from general anesthesia, you will immediately notice that your breasts are smaller. However, you won’t be able to fully enjoy these results until a few weeks after the procedure when most of the healing is complete.

Women also wonder if this type of procedure is permanent. And yes, under the right circumstances, this surgery is a permanent way to reduce the size of your breasts. It is possible that some volume will return to your breasts if you gain a significant amount of weight. Your breasts will also change size and shape during pregnancy, which is why some women wait until after they no longer plan to have children to have this surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Breastfeed After Surgery?

It is important to understand that this type of surgery may result in an inability to breastfeed. Depending on how much tissue had to be removed to achieve desired results and whether milk ducts were snipped, you may never be able to breastfeed after having a reduction mammoplasty.

Will Scars Be Visible?

For a short amount of time, the scars from this surgery will be visible where incisions have been made. However, like most scars, these will fade over time. You may help these scars fade faster with certain creams or dermatological treatments.

Who Are Ideal Candidates?

Ideal candidates for this procedure include any woman who desires to reduce the size of her breasts for any reason. There are very medical restrictions that need to be considered, however, and we generally encourage that surgery candidates be in their mid-20s or older.

Is It Right for You?

If you think a reduction mammoplasty is right for you, contact My Cosmetic Clinic in Newcastle, NSW to schedule your initial consultation today! We look forward to the opportunity to help you feel beautiful and live your best life!