WHAT IS A BREAST REDUCTION?
Reduction mammoplasty, or breast reduction, is an intervention that reduces the amount of fat, glandular tissue, and skin of the breast, making it smaller, lighter, and firmer. The objective is to give the woman a smaller and more proportionate breast to the rest of her body measurements.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE INTERVENTION?
It is indicated for women with too large and sagging breasts. Sometimes the increase in breast volume not only affects the body image, but can cause physical problems and lack of confidence that influence the patient’s life.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE INTERVENTION?
If you are considering this intervention you should take into account:
– In very young patients, breast development must have been completed.
– The patient must be emotionally mature and be totally sure why she wants to have the operation: Feel better about herself.
WHAT IS VALUED ON THE FIRST VISIT?
Some of the characteristics that are evaluated during the consultation are:
– Medical and surgical history.
– Regular medication.
– Results of previous imaging studies.
– Existence of a history of breast cancer in the family.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE INTERVENTION? PREOPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a few considerations to keep in mind:
– Avoid certain medications that may complicate the intervention.
– Quit smoking for a period of time, before and after the intervention, since tobacco has been shown to worsen and hinder wound healing.
– Keep in mind that you will need some help after the intervention.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AFTER THE INTERVENTION? POSTOPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Some recommendations include:
– Avoid tobacco.
– Take the prescribed postoperative medication.
– Relative rest of one week.
– Wear a bra for a postoperative period of time.
HOW IS A BREAST REDUCTION PERFORMED?
There are different techniques for breast reduction, but the most common is to make an inverted T-shaped incision: around the areola, vertically down and following the curved shape of the submammary fold.
Through this incision, excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin can be removed and the nipple and areola moved to their new position.
Occasionally liposuction can be used to reshape some areas of the breast.
WHERE IS THIS INTERVENTION PRACTICED?
This intervention is performed in the operating room. The surgery normally lasts 2 to 3 hours, and is done under general anesthesia. The patients remain hospitalized for 1 night.
WHAT IS THE EVOLUTION AND POST-INTERVENTION CONTROLS?
Although each patient has their own particularities, the postoperative course contains phases common to all patients:
One week after the intervention:
The stitches will be removed.
The inflammation will peak.
You will feel able to return to work as long as it is a quiet, sedentary job.
After several weeks of the intervention:
The inflammation will gradually decrease and you will start to see the final results.
You will no longer need to wear your bra all day.
You will be able to start exercising and move your arms freely.
Little by little the scars will get a more similar colour to that of normal skin.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE RESULTS?
The vast majority of women who undergo this intervention each year are satisfied with the result. They like their new image and when they see that they have a more stylized figure they want to wear a different type of clothes. It gives many women more self-confidence.
Although the results of the intervention last for years, do not forget that the breasts are not immune to the passage of time or to changes in weight.
ARE THERE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR THIS SURGERY?
Each case must be assessed individually. Still, some contraindications for this surgery are heavy smokers who do not plan to interrupt the habit, since it can cause serious problems in wound healing.
