Breast Reduction

What this surgery is

Breast reduction makes very large breasts smaller, lighter, and lifted. It removes breast tissue, fat, and extra skin. Most women have it to relieve neck pain, back pain, shoulder grooves, and rashes under the breasts.

Relief from the weight is often felt within days.

What happens during it

1. You get anesthesia (medicine that makes you sleep).
2. The surgeon makes cuts around the nipple, down the front of the breast, and often along the breast fold.
3. Extra tissue, fat, and skin are removed.
4. The remaining breast is shaped and lifted. The nipple moves up, still attached to its blood supply.
5. The cuts are closed in layers. A soft surgical bra goes on.
6. Surgery takes about three hours. Most people go home the same day.

Main risks

Every surgery has risks. Here are the main ones for this surgery, in plain words. We will go over all of them with you in person.

• Changed nipple feeling. It usually improves but can be permanent.
• Breastfeeding may not be possible for some women afterward.
• Slow healing where the scars meet under the breast. Small open spots usually heal with dressing care.
• Loss of blood flow to the nipple. This is rare. Smoking raises the risk a lot.
• Bleeding. Some bleeding can need another trip to the operating room.
• Infection. Signs are spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
• Scars. Every cut leaves a scar. Most fade over a year. Some stay raised or wide.
• Numb skin near the cuts. Feeling usually returns over months. Small areas can stay numb.
• Blood clots in the legs. A clot can travel to the lungs. That is an emergency.
• Problems from anesthesia (the medicine that makes you sleep). These are rare in healthy people.
• Uneven results. The two sides of the body are never a perfect match.
• The need for another surgery to fix a problem or improve the result.

What recovery is like

First few days

Soreness and swelling. Many women already feel the weight relief. Walk every few hours.

One week

Most desk workers return to work. No lifting over ten pounds.

Two weeks

Swelling keeps fading. Light exercise below the waist.

Six weeks

Full exercise, including running, feels easier with the new size.

One year

Scars fade and flatten.

When to call us right away