Large breasts can be a significant problem. Their weight alone prevents many women from doing the things they want to do. They cause neck and back pain, rashes, and many medical problems. They make it difficult or impossible to exercise. For some women, they cause significant psychological problems.
Breast reduction can be as much cosmetic as reconstructive. Our physicians believe the breast reduction should be done in as aesthetically pleasing a way as possible. Using the "short scar" breast reduction technique, which is more technically demanding, he achieves sexier, feminine breasts, with more projection and cleavage than a standard breast reduction.
After a breast reduction, the patient typically experiences tremendous relief. Gone are the bra strap marks across the shoulders, the rashes, and the burden of carrying around all that extra weight. Your breathing and posture improve and your clothes fit better. It is a tremendous relief.
Some patients with large breasts are overweight, and they should try to lose as much weight as possible before surgery, not only because losing weight is healthy but because it makes the operation technically easier.
Procedure
There are several ways to perform a breast reduction. In his practice in Bangkok, our physicians perform"short scar" breast reduction whenever possible. This is somewhat more technically difficult but has the huge advantage of leaving a shorter scar and it also creates more breast projection and cleavage.
A scar is inevitable. The scar goes completely around the areola and then travels down the breast to the level of the fold underneath the breast. If your breasts are exceptionally large another short scar within the fold may be necessary. This is very unusual.
Recovery time
Post surgery, many patients experience some pain for the first 3-4 days and soreness for the first 2 weeks. Breasts will be swollen and tight for 6-8 weeks. The body heals asymmetrically. One breast may be swollen, hurt more and appear higher or lower than the other. This is to be expected.
Swelling and bruising usually clear up in 2-4 weeks. Pink scars will eventually fade to an unnoticeable color. It may take up to a year for the scar to fade to its minimal color.
Your nipples might become hyper sensitive or lose sensation for the first 3 months. This usually improves.
Some women with sedentary jobs go back to work after 1 week. If your job, however, requires aggressive arm movements it may take as long as 4 weeks to return to work. Most women return to work after 2 weeks.
You should not work out at all or avoid lifting heavy objects for 3 weeks, and do no upper body workout for at least 8 weeks.
The scar usually becomes quite red the first 2 months after the operation but fades within a year. A woman considering breast reduction must be prepared to accept the scar as a trade off for lighter, perkier, more attractive breasts. The reality is these scars are not noticeable even when wearing highly revealing clothes.
Possible complications
This procedure may create a significant scar that fortunately, even with revealing clothes, is not visible.
The most common complication after breast reduction is asymmetry. Since breasts are rarely identical naturally, a breast reduction, in fact, often corrects asymmetry. It is unreasonable to expect both breasts to be exactly identical.
Another potential complication is inadequate reduction or over reduction. Some women want to be as small as possible, but there is a limit as to how small they can be made without compromising blood supply and safety. Our physicians have considerable experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery and will do all that is possible to provide you with the size and shape of breasts you desire.
After breast reduction, there is likelihood that breast-feeding will be compromised. Also possible is a decrease in or loss of sensation to the nipple. Some sensation usually returns with time.
Other complications that must be considered, but are possible with any operation, are the risks of infection, wound healing problems, and fluid or blood collection.
