Breast reduction and lift surgery is a very popular procedure to help reduce the size of the breasts while also lifting them. This can be done in a single procedure or in two separate surgeries. The first part of this procedure is known as a breast reduction and involves removing excess skin and fat from the breasts, which can help make them smaller.
The second part of this procedure is known as a mastopexy, which involves tightening the tissue inside your breasts so that they sit higher on your chest wall. This can help give you better shape and support for your breasts, which will make them look more youthful and attractive. In this guide, we review the aspects of Breast reduction and lift procedure, common problems after breast reduction surgery, minimum size for breast reduction, and breast reduction surgery cost.
Breast Reduction And Lift Procedure
The best candidates for this type of surgery are women who want to reduce their bra size by at least one cup size or more but may not necessarily want all their breast tissue removed from under their armpits (don’t worry—there aren’t any nerves there). They also must have sufficient skin elasticity and good overall health, since these factors may affect how quickly they recover from surgery.
8 Things to Know If You’re Considering Breast Reduction Surgery
For women with very large breasts, having a reduction can feel like — quite literally — having a weight lifted off of their chest.
It can relieve them from years of back, shoulder and neck pain; difficulty exercising; and rashes on their chest — not to mention limited clothing options and permanent shoulder grooves from weighted down bra straps.
But, like any other medical procedure, breast reduction surgery does have risks. It’s a personal decision that requires careful consideration of the potential pros and cons.
You’ll probably (eventually) feel like a million bucks
A number of studies have found that women who have breast reduction surgery commonly feel a boost in their self-esteem, body image and physical health afterward.
“It has one of the highest satisfaction rates of all the procedures we do,” Dr. Bernard says.
In one study, 95% of patients said they felt satisfied with the results.
But you’ll be sidelined for a few weeks
The surgery itself is an outpatient procedure that only takes about three hours, Dr. Bernard says. Women typically go home on the same day or the next morning. But you’ll likely feel tired and sore afterward, so plan to take a few days off from work or school to recover. You’ll be encouraged to get up and move around regularly, but you’ll have to put off any kind of rigorous exercise for about a month, he says.
You might not be able to get the exact cup size you want
How much your breasts can be reduced depends on your size, breast composition and goals. During your consultation, your plastic surgeons will help you determine the best plan. Most breast reduction patients go down one to two cup sizes, Dr. Bernard says.
You’ll get a breast lift, too
The procedure is actually a twofer: Your surgeon will remove excess tissue and skin to make your breasts smaller, and then move the nipples up in position to give them a lift.
You’ll have scars
The incision wounds (they usually look like lollipops that circle around the nipples and go straight down to the bottom of the breast) will be swollen for a while. “In most people, the scars improve significantly within a year after surgery, but they’re always there,” Dr. Bernard says.
“With scars, it’s just as much genetics as anything. Every plastic surgeon can do good job of closing a wound, so it just depends on the person.”
There’s a chance you’ll have decreased nipple sensation
Immediately after surgery, your nipples might feel numb. “Some sensation in the nipples almost always comes back, but it might take a month or two,” Dr. Bernard says. Certain surgical techniques are more likely to preserve nipple sensation, so be sure to bring this up to your surgeon if it is a concern for you.
common problems after breast reduction surgery
The decision to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks of breast reduction surgery and potential complications are acceptable.
Your plastic surgeon and/or plastic surgery staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.
Possible breast reduction surgery risks include:
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single breast reduction procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Where will my surgery be performed?
Breast reduction procedures may be performed in your plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital. Your plastic surgeon and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.
When you go home
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these breast reduction complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Be careful
Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself and minimize breast reduction surgery risks.
Be sure to ask questions: It’s very important to address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
minimum size for breast reduction
There are many women who want to have larger breasts, and then there are those who want the exact opposite. If your natural breasts are larger than you would like or interfere with your ability to complete everyday tasks, then it might be time to consider a surgical solution. At My Cosmetic Clinic in Crows Nest, we know that breast reduction surgery can help you feel more comfortable with the appearance of your body.
How Many Sizes Can You Go Down in a Breast Reduction?
Generally speaking, most women seek to reduce the size of their breasts by at least one or two cup sizes. Ideally, the amount of breast tissue you eliminate should create a natural-looking silhouette, meaning that the proportions of your body will be evenly balanced. Women who have especially large breasts may need to reduce the size of their breasts by additional cup sizes to achieve the desired aesthetic goal.
What Is Removed During Reduction?
Breast reduction surgery removes three main components from the breast: unwanted fat, excess glandular tissue, and loose skin. The amount of each component removed during your reduction will be determined by your aesthetic goals, as well as the exact composition of your breasts.
For example, some women have breasts composed of more fatty tissue than glandular tissue, which means more fat will be removed during surgery. Any excess skin will also be removed during surgery, which will in turn help lift breasts into a higher and tighter position. The amount of unwanted breast tissue removed during surgery will correlate directly with the size, shape, and firmness of the breast after you are fully recovered.
How Much Weight Does Reduction Equal?
The amount of weight taken off your body by a breast reduction will be determined by the current size of your breasts and the amount of tissue that is being removed. On average, the range of breast tissue removed for most reduction surgeries is in the range of 450 and 600 grams. If you have larger breasts or you desired more tissue removed, you may be able to shed as much as 1 kilogram of weight from your body.
What Are Common Reasons for Women to Seek Reduction?
Women seek reduction surgery for many reasons, including first and foremost the desire to feel better about their overall appearance. The most common reasons to seek this surgery include:
Pain and Skin Irritation
Breasts that are overly large for your body frame can cause a lot of problems. Specifically, women who have large breasts also tend to have neck, shoulder, and back pain caused by stress on the muscular-skeletal system created by top-heavy weight at the front of the body. Some women also experience skin irritation under the fold of the breasts, such as painful chafing. Large breasts may also be more prone to tenderness.
Daily Attire and Intimate Clothing
Large breasts may pose a problem in terms of fitting into daily attire and intimate clothing. One issue, in particular, is finding well-fitting bras, which can be another source of pain from uncomfortable underwire and straps digging into shoulders. It may also be difficult to find supportive athletic clothing or tops that fit as designed.
Difficulties During Everyday Activities
Sometimes large breasts can even get in the way of everyday activities, including carrying or moving objects and participating in gym activities. The issue of larger breasts interfering with athletic activities can be a causal factor for other health issues, as well, since it can be hard to find a gym activity that is comfortable to perform.
Low Self-Confidence
Large breasts can also be a problem in terms of a woman’s self-esteem and self-confidence. For example, women with large pendulum-shaped breasts may struggle with self-esteem because overly large breasts have a less firm appearance, with a lower position on the chest wall.
What Is the Goal Result of Reduction Surgery?
The goal of reduction surgery is to restore balance to your body proportions and to lift breasts to a higher position with a firmer texture. This means the overall goal is to make the breasts lighter, tighter, and firmer with a higher position on the body. Other goals of reduction surgery include less physical pain or discomfort caused by overly large breasts.
Is Reduction Surgery Safe?
A reduction is a surgical procedure that necessitates the use of general anesthesia, which has several risk factors that may disqualify some patients from the procedure. Overall, a reduction is considered a safe procedure, but patients can expect to feel some pain, bruising, swelling, and an extended healing period to recover from the surgery. However, most patients are recovered within 3 to 5 weeks of surgery.