Breast Reduction
Many of the patients presenting with breast size complaint require breast reduction surgery due to health problems beyond aesthetic concerns.
Breast size, especially at a young age, 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 discomfort such as neck hernia, hunchback in the back region, and loss of strength due to nerve compression in the arms. This pressure in the skeletal system increases with osteoporosis. The solution of these problems is usually surgery and breast reduction operation is required.
How is the surgery performed?
It is aimed to obtain maximum shape formation with minimum surgical scar. Therefore, preoperative breast measurements and drawings should be well planned. This stage is just as important for the surgical outcome to be achieved. Breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty, reduces breast size,
shape and gives the breast a more upright appearance. In these surgeries, skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue and breast tissue as well as milk gland tissues are removed from the big breast. Breast reduction operations not only reduce but also erect and lift operations. It is also possible to reduce and shape if the nipple size, called areola, is large. Breast reduction surgeries vary from person to person, but there are scars under the bra or bikini. Depending on the surgical technique and the degree of reduction of the breast, these scars appear as inverse T, J or L- shaped scars around the nipple-areola and towards the sub-breast folding area. These traces, which are prominent and red in the first months, turn their colors to a less noticeable level. Operation time varies depending on the size of the breast and the techniques applied, but it takes around 2-4 hours.
What are the postoperative considerations?
Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Generally, the patient is discharged after staying in the hospital for one night . Approximately 1-4 after surgery. Drains are placed in both breast areas to be removed on days. The first 2 days of pain relief is seen with painkillers. Swelling or bruises around the breast are also possible. However, these usually disappear completely after 2 weeks. Special athletes' bras are worn to reduce postoperative edema. It is possible to return to desk work after 4-5 days after surgery . Generally exercising for 3-4 weeks and lifting very heavy loads is not recommended.It takes about 6-12 months for the swelling of the breast to completely disappear and the breast to take its final form.
Breast reduction surgery after breastfeeding?
In some cases, breast milk functions may also be affected as the milk ducts are also removed. Some studies show that this rate is 10-20 percent.
Who are the risk groups?
In diabetic patients, patients with systemic diseases, deficiency of various vitamins and minerals, especially in smokers, wound healing problems and signs of scarring may be seen. Therefore, these patient groups should be informed about the possible risks.
