Breast reduction operations are performed quite frequently in our country. The main complaints of the patients are neck, shoulder and back pain, scarring of the bra fasteners, increased sweating, itching, rash, inability to find suitable clothes, difficulties in social life and aesthetic concerns, especially in summer. Breast reduction operations are performed based on your wishes and the surgeon’s experience. The methods to be chosen according to your breast size are important. Although it varies in clinical practice in patients with a body mass index >30, surgery is generally not preferred. For detailed information about this operation, you should definitely consult a plastic surgeon.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURGERY
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The operation takes about 4 hours, depending on the chosen technique and breast size. A hospital stay of at least 2 days is required. Three types of incisions are used in reduction procedures. The first of these is the reduction process, which is performed only by making an incision around the nipple. It can be used for breast lift and shaping only in patients who want a limited reduction, do not have excess breast tissue, and whose nipple has been displaced downwards. In larger volume, both sagging and displaced breasts, procedures performed by adding an incision around the nipple and downwards (in the shape of a lollipop) or adding an additional incision in the lower groove of the breast (inverted T-shaped) are preferred. In this way, the breast tissue and nipple are brought to the position they should be.
POST-SURGERY INFORMATION
A corset should be used for at least 1 month after the operation. Depending on the wound healing, water should not be touched for 3-7 days. After dressing for at least 2 weeks, scar-reducing creams and silicone bands that promote wound healing can be started. Operations performed in the summer season may be a little more uncomfortable, as a corset should be used and water should not touch the wound for a certain period of time. It takes 6 months for the breast to take its final shape. During this period, weight gain and pregnancy change the shape of the breast.
RISKS
In the early period, hematoma (blood collection), suture opening, local infection, seroma (serum collection), wound healing problems, breast asymmetry, insufficient reduction can be seen in the late period. Blackening can be seen at the nipple due to impaired blood supply, and lactation functions can be affected by 20%.
