BREAST REDUCTION
Although breast size often seems attractive in the public perception, physical wear and tear as the years progresses can lead to health problems. Due to multiple births, pregnancy, hormonal disorders or familial characteristics, breast tissue may grow excessively over the years and droop. The increase in breast size can manifest itself with many problems such as unbearable neck and low back pain, hunched posture and walking, irritation due to sweating under the breast, wounds, difficulty in breathing. However, it can lead to introversion, embarrassment and depression in young girls. All these physical and psychological problems often make breast reduction surgery necessary.
Appropriate Patient Profile
Every woman who has completed her breast development anatomically and has reached spiritual maturity is suitable for this surgery. Except in rare cases, this surgery is not recommended for women under the age of 18.
Before Surgery
Along with an appropriate disease history and physical examination, criteria that will determine the technique of the operation such as the patient’s wishes, breast size, length, skin quality, etc. are evaluated. Your surgeon will tell you which technique is suitable for you among the techniques that can be used for breast reduction surgery. Conditions that may pose an obstacle to the operation are inspected by the anesthesiologist, and necessary blood tests are performed. In case of chronic diseases that may affect the surgery, additional examinations or consultations may be requested. If any blood thinners are used, they should be discontinued at least 1 week in advance. Smoking may impair the wound healing process in some patients. There is no need to discontinue drugs used for other chronic diseases.
Surgery Process
Breast reduction surgery is performed in a hospital environment and under general anesthesia. Although it is directly proportional to the size of the breast, the average operation time is 2-2.5 hours. The procedure is performed in accordance with the technique determined by your aesthetic surgeon. In all surgeries, a vertical (vertical technique) scar will remain around and below the nipple. Especially in elderly patients with excessive breast size, sagging and excess skin, there may be a horizontal scar (T-scar technique) in addition to this scar. During the operation, thin tubes called drains can be placed under the breast temporarily to evacuate excess blood.
Postoperative
After the operation, food is eaten at the 4th hour and the patient gets up from the bed and starts walking. The patient is discharged on the same day or 1 day later. The pain is not pronounced and painkillers to be used provide adequate help. The patient can be washed after 1-2 days. Some edema and swelling that may occur in the breasts will pass in approximately 2-3 weeks. The patient can return to his daily life within the same week. Athlete style printed bras can be used for the first 2-3 weeks after the surgery. Light exercises can be done easily after the operation.
Possible Problems
Of course, every surgical procedure has its own complications. Although these are rare, they should be explained to the patient by the physician for the purpose of informing the patient. There are alternative solution options for all of the early and late complications that may develop. Temporary problems; loss of sensation, tenderness, pain, early problems; bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, long-term problems; asymmetry, bad scarring, tightness in the skin and aesthetic problems.
Breast Reduction and Pregnancy
Breast reduction surgeries performed with the right technique and experience do not affect breast milk and breastfeeding. It should be known that pregnancy and breastfeeding processes after breast reduction surgery may cause some growth and sagging in the breast tissue. Breast reduction surgeries should be postponed for expectant mothers who are considering early pregnancy.
Breast Reduction and Cancer
Breast reduction surgeries do not trigger the formation of breast cancer. On the contrary, it significantly reduces the risk of cancer as it reduces breast mass. All of the breast tissue removed during the reduction operation is sent for pathological examination for screening purposes. In this way, early cancer cases can also be caught.
Breast Reduction and Permanence
It is natural for the pregnancy process, breastfeeding and of course the gravitational force that has been exposed over the years to cause some relaxation in the breast tissue.