Breast reduction is a surgery that removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from breasts, while also reshaping and resizing them. The result is smaller, higher and lighter breasts that are more proportionate with the rest of the body.
Procedure Highlights
- Removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from breasts
- Result is smaller, higher (youthful), lighter and better shaped breasts
- Has a high and almost immediate satisfaction rate
- For less scarring, the wounds are sutured carefully and meticulously
- For a more lasting results Dr Safvat uses the newer supero-medial pedicle breast reduction
- Can help improve neck and back pain as well as posture
Excessively large breasts can be a source of discomfort and affect your quality of life. Large breasts tend to result in shoulder and neck pain as well as skin irritation under the breast fold. Because larger breasts are also more likely to be pendulous and sag, it can cause a woman to feel more self-conscious about her appearance. This can also lead to poor posture over time. In addition, excessively large breasts can make it difficult for women to engage in physical activities, sports and exercise because of the size of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery can alleviate discomfort and improve posture as well as improve the overall appearance of the Breasts.
Breast reduction surgery is performed to reshape and resize the breast by removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from breasts. The result of Breast Reduction surgery is smaller, higher, lighter and better shaped breasts that are more proportionate with the rest of the body. Breast Reduction surgery may also include a reduction in the size and shape of your areola. During the Breast Reduction surgery Dr Safvat, in addition to removing the excess breast tissue and fat, raises the remaining tissue and areola (a Breast Lift) to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look.
This procedure has a very high and almost immediate, satisfaction rate amongst our patients and many say they wished they had done this procedure sooner. Not only does breast reduction surgery improve the shape and size of the breasts, it also relieves the physical symptoms caused by the weight, enhancing posture and overall look of the breasts.
Technique
During breast reduction surgery, not only the size of the breast and areola are reduced but the shape of the breast can be enhanced (breast lift) as well. The goal is to make the breasts and areola more proportionate with the rest of the body and to reshape them into a more youthful and aesthetic shape.
Dr Safvat uses the more modern Supero-Medial Pedicle Technique to reshape the breast tissue which gives a long lasting results rather than the traditional inferior pedicle that relied on the skin to shape the breast and would stretch after 6 months or a year. The skin is also reduced and Dr Safvat uses either the more traditional Ancher technique (Inverted T-Scar) or the Short Scar Technique (Lolly pop scar) which places the scar around the areola and vertically under it and avoids the bigger scar under the breasts of the inverted T-scar. Dr Safvat decides which technique to use based on how much skin needs to be removed on each individual case. During your consultation, Dr Safvat discusses your options and will advise which technique is best for you to ensure the best result.
Dr Safvat’s breast reduction surgery is done under a general anaesthetic by one of Dr Safvat’s highly trained and skilled anaesthetists in one of our chosen fully accredited hospitals in Sydney or Southern Highlands, NSW.
The length of the surgery is dependent on each patients’ individual case. But in every case the procedure is carried out meticulously, carefully and without rushing any part of the procedure. It can also be performed in association with other procedures such as liposuction to reduce fat in the underarm area to ensure best results.
Procedure Snapshot:
Anaesthetic Type: | General Anaesthetic |
Length of Surgery: | 4-5 hours approximately |
Stay in Hospital: | 1-2 nights |
Downtime: | 1-2 weeks depending on type of work you do |
Recovery
Initially, after the breast reduction surgery, some pain, bruising and swelling is normal and expected. Pain can be easily managed with medication. A drain will be placed in each breast to get rid of excess fluid build-up after the surgery. Drains have important roles in recovery and healing after breast reduction surgery. This will be monitored during your overnight hospital stay. The incision site initially will be raised, red and lumpy. This will settle over the next few months and Dr Safvat will guide you through his scar management protocol after your operation.
After breast reduction surgery, you are required to wear a medical compression garment for up to six weeks (supplied to you by us). Swelling will take a couple of months to subside.
It will also be necessary, depending on your work type, to take 1-2 weeks off work to rest at home. Walking is actively encouraged after surgery but exertion and heavy lifting is discouraged for 4-6 weeks. After around 6 weeks all activities can usually be resumed.
In general, it will take some months before the breasts settle into their final reduced shape. The incision will fade over time and form a fine white line that is much less noticeable.
Preparation
Smoking and being overweight have been shown to cause significant complications after breast reduction surgery. Dr Safvat will insist that you stop smoking a minimum of 3 weeks before your surgery and lose as much excess weight as possible. Ideally you should be in the normal BMI range before your surgery. As a general rule, the results of the breast reduction are much better if your weight is stable. This is because your breasts increase and decrease in size along with your weight.
If you have not had children and are planning to, then you may want to consider the best timing for breast reduction surgery. Your breast size and shape can change after pregnancy and this can affect the results you had from your breast reduction surgery.
Scars
There is no way to prevent scars completely after surgery and everyone can scar differently. However, the techniques Dr Safvat uses to suture his wounds are designed to minimise scarring. Scars are strategically placed so they can be hidden in the natural folds of the skin or at the junction of the areola and the skin. What’s more, any scarring will fade over time, especially if they are cared for correctly.
Dr Safvat will provide you with his specific protocol for scar management that will help you protect and care for your incisions in a way that will minimise scarring. Patients who have followed Dr Safvat’s protocol for scar management diligently have been very pleased with their progress in reducing and fading of scars.
Dr Safvat will also include LED Light Therapy sessions (available in Miranda only) which will assist with wound healing, scarring and recovery.
Cost
There will be an out of pocket cost with Breast reduction surgery. This surgery has a Medicare item number and patients should get a rebate from Medicare and their health fund (where applicable). The hospital costs are usually covered by private health funds depending on the patient’s level and type of coverage.
Alternatively, you can have the procedure done in a Private Hospital as a Self-Funded patient. Detailed information regarding costs will be provided to you after your consultation.
Breast Reduction FAQs
Is breast reduction surgery the right choice for me?
Is breast reduction the right choice for me?
Breast reduction surgery can easily be tailored to your specific needs. Unfortunately, it’s not the right procedure for everyone. It’s always best to speak to a fully qualified plastic surgeon, such as Dr Safvat in Sydney and Bowral, about your needs in order to determine which type of surgery you can benefit from. Your concerns as well as your medical history will also be taken into account by Dr Safvat. You may be a good candidate for this procedure in some or all of the following circumstances:
- You are in good physical health and your breasts are fully developed
- You have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with a breast reduction surgery
- Overly large breasts are causing you physical and emotional distress
- You aren’t able to engage in the physical activities you want to due to large breasts
- Neck, back and shoulder pain is something you experience on a regular, if not a daily, basis
- Your bra straps leave indentations due to the weight of your breasts
- Rashes and skin irritations occur quite regularly underneath your breasts
- The weight of your breasts has caused the skin to stretch and your breasts to sag
- Your nipples are pointing downwards and rest below the crease of the breast
- Your areolas are bigger than they should be because of the stretched skin
- Loss of confidence in the appearance of breasts
What should I take into account before considering a breast reduction?
- Breast reduction surgery should ideally be undertaken when breasts are fully developed.
- Childbirth and breastfeeding can affect breast reduction results.
- If you decide to have a child after surgery, keep in mind that a breast reduction may affect your ability to breastfeed. Unfortunately, there’s no way to determine whether this will be the case.
- You will need to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle after your breast reduction in order to retain your results.
- Smokers have an increased risk of complications and could experience delays during the healing process. It’s always best to quit smoking to have a more positive surgical experience
What Can I expect over the long term after breast reduction surgery?
Swelling takes months to subside after surgery, so you need to be patient before you see the results, even though your breasts will look and feel significantly better right away.
Scarring will also only start to fade quite significantly after 6-12 months. Your new breast size will give you a lot more freedom in terms of physical movement and clothing choices. Your body will be more proportionate; back, neck and shoulder pain which were associated with larger breasts should no longer be an issue.
The results of breast reduction surgery are permanent. However, any weight fluctuations, pregnancy and the natural ageing process can affect your results over time.
How will my nipples be affected after breast reduction surgery?
It’s very common for the nipples to feel numb initially after breast reduction surgery. However, in most instances, feeling gradually returns.
Dr Safvat will take you through the techniques that he uses to salvage as much nipple sensation as possible during your consultation.
Are there any alternatives to breast reduction surgery?
There are a few ways that you might be able to overcome large breasts, including weight loss or wearing the correct bra. Generally, these options will only provide mild relief, if any.
Liposuction and breast reduction surgery are usually the best options if you want permanent results, and Ethique Plastic Surgery provides both and you can discuss this during consultation with Dr Safvat in one of our three locations in Bowral, Concord, and Miranda.
What are risks or complications could there be with my surgery?
There are some general risks and complications associated with all types of surgery, including breast reductions. Having your breast reduction surgery done in a fully accredited hospital (in Sydney or Southern Highlands) with highly experienced anaesthetists minimises some of the risks.
Although uncommon, the complications of undergoing a breast reduction include, collection of blood (haematoma) or other fluids (seroma), mild to severe infection and risks associated with general anaesthetics.
The sensation around the areola can be affected by your breast reduction and may take several months to return.