Larger-than-normal breasts can cause many problems, both visually and due to weight. Although they cause visual problems more frequently at young ages, heavy and sagging breasts may cause back and waist pain, collapse in bra straps, neck bending, rash in the lower folds of the breasts, itching and darkening of the skin due to weight. In addition, because they cannot find a suitable bra, they cannot breathe easily due to using a narrower size.
With breast reduction surgery, the breast is brought to its normal size and the sagging skin structure is corrected and lifted.
At what age is breast reduction surgery performed?
After the age of 18, all women with similar complaints due to the size of the breasts can have this surgery.
Can I breastfeed after surgery?
Since most of the milk ducts will be protected during the surgery, there is no problem with breastfeeding. The decisive point here is the technique with which reduction is made. There is no problem in breastfeeding with techniques that protect the nipple and surrounding tissues.
After the fifties, the technique used for excessively sagging breasts may be different, and in these cases, there will be no lactation or breastfeeding, as the nipple is sewn to the point where it should be like a skin patch.
Techniques used in breast reduction surgery
The technique to be used in breast reduction surgery varies according to the size of the breast and what kind of breast the person wants.
In the lollipop technique (Vertical Scar) breast reduction, the suture scar is around the nipple and goes down vertically. This surgical technique is more suitable for breasts that are not too large and are more for lifting. Advantage There is no tooth line in the nipple attachment area.
The disadvantage is that it may not provide sufficient reduction in extremely large breasts or excessively sagging breasts.
Inverted T breast reduction is the most commonly applied breast reduction technique. Sufficient amount of tissue can be removed from the breasts and the nipple can be brought to the desired level.
Free nipple technique; It can be applied in advanced ages or in extremely large sagging breasts. This technique can be applied to patients who do not expect breastfeeding and who complain about weight.
Preoperative preparation
Patients who apply with the request of breast reduction are examined and the technique to be applied in line with the patient´s expectation.
The decision is made. They evaluate the results of mammography imaging together with breast Ultrasound for patients under 40 years of age and breast Ultrasound for patients over 40 years of age.
This is because if there is a suspicious mass or a cystic structure in the breast, the tissues removed from these areas during the surgery are sent for pathological examination.
In order to be operated under general anesthesia, if there are concomitant diseases, a consultation with the relevant branch is made and the treatment protocol is determined.
Surgery and Hospital
The duration of breast reduction surgery varies between 2-3 hours on average. Both nozzles will have drain hoses from the sides. These are used for leaks and light bleeding in the breast. At the end of the operation, a medical bra is put on and the drains are removed after an average of three days after the operation. After one night hospitalization, he is discharged the next day. Antibiotics and painkillers are prescribed for precautionary purposes and on the third day, they are called for a control examination.
Healing Process and Pain
You can return to work approximately one week and ten days after the operation. During this period, you will need to continue dressing as shown to you. You must use the medical tightening bra for one month.
As with any surgery, the feeling of pain can vary from person to person. However, breast reduction surgery is not a very painful operation. On the first day after the surgery, you may have a tightness in the breasts and some pain at the points where the resistances come out. In the following days, the pain will decrease rapidly.
Will there be seam marks?
In the early stages of the surgery, a certain redness appears on the suture line, and this redness will gradually decrease in the following periods. It takes 6-12 months for complete wound healing. Since each person´s wound healing is unique, the amount of scars will differ. While the suture line heals and disappears almost completely in people with good wound healing, sometimes white line or dark healing can be observed. The amount of stitches that will remain varies according to the age of the person, skin color, presence of accompanying diseases, smoking and alcohol use, and the breast reduction technique applied.
Conditions to be considered after surgery
After the surgery, your dressings should be done as shown to you, and you should use your prescribed medications regularly. In the first two weeks, you should not do heavy sports, do not raise your arms higher than shoulder level, and sleep on your back for 7-10 days.