Breast Reduction Surgery is also called mammoplasty, it is a procedure that is done to remove the extra fat and tissues from the breasts. Why breast surgery is needed? If you have large breasts and you are not happy with the size of your breast, you might choose to have breast reduction surgery to achieve the desired breast size. The indication of breast reduction surgery can be therapeutic, cosmetic, or both. Many patients say that I Regret Breast Reduction Surgery with the fear of Common Problems After Breast Reduction Surgery.
Why Breast Reduction Surgery is Needed?
Generally, the large size of your breasts gives you discomfort and hampers your activities of daily living too. Breasts size disproportionate to your body size leads to poor self-image
The large size of the breasts causes pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. Heavy breasts may be painful because of excess weight. Other symptoms of large breasts are heaviness, rashes, or skin infection because the large size of the breasts traps the heat and moisture underneath the breast.
Breast reduction surgery will help you to ease discomfort, lowering the risks of infection and other associated symptoms. It will also help to achieve the cosmetics value proportionate to your body which might also help improve your self-image, overall personality, and ability to participate in physical activities.
Symptoms and Problems with Large Breasts
- Poor self-image related to the disproportionate size of breasts in the body
- Rashes and skin irritation under the large breasts
- Neck, back, and shoulder pain
- Numbness in hands and figures
- Nerve pain radiating to arms
- Restricted activities of daily living
- Difficulty fitting clothing and bras
- Breathing Problems
When Breast Reduction Surgery is not recommended?
- Obesity
- Have certain chronic conditions like heart problems or diabetes mellitus
- If you smoke
- Want to avoid scars on your breasts
Also in certain conditions, you will have to postpone breast reduction surgery.
- If you are planning a pregnancy because breastfeeding might be challenging after breast surgery
- Also, if you are planning weight loss by changing your dietary habits or starting exercise to reduce weight because losing weight can change your breast size.
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery can be elected by men and women both. A condition called gynecomastia causes men to develop breasts that resemble a girl’s. Breast surgery is performed on males also if they have developed gynecomastia.
Women may choose to have breast reduction surgery to minimize the discomfort and the symptoms that arise from large breast size and to create breast size proportionate to women’s bodies.
Breast reduction surgery is a bit more complex than breast augmentation, it requires an overnight stay in the hospital after surgery and will require general anesthesia.
The surgeon will remove breast tissues, fat, and skin and will reposition the areola. In most cases surgeons keep the nipple attached. But in some cases, the nipple has to be detached if desired size and location of the breasts are not attained.
Most Common Problems After Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery is very helpful in most cases but many patients experience some problems after breast reduction surgery. Potential side effects of breast reduction surgery can be the following:
Infection
It depends on the strength and immunity of your body. Fever is the most common symptom after breast reduction surgery which is caused by an infection. Infection can arise if the wound is not cleaned under aseptic conditions.
Breastfeeding Problems
If the breast reduction is made just before pregnancy or while you are pregnant, then complications with breastfeeding may arise. This is why it’s recommended to wait until the childbirth is done.
Unfavorable Scarring
This is also a common problem after breast surgery but it subsides and fades over time. It also can be changed into a hypertrophic scar which is called a keloid. A hypertrophic scar is most prevalent in blacks and Asians.
Loss of Sensation in the Nipples
There is always a chance that a sensation in the nipple can occur, but it’s temporary in most cases and gets cured with time.
Loss of Shape of the Breasts
Breast reduction surgery brings good results in terms of the shape and size of the breast. But in some patients shape of breasts may happen if the surgeon is not experienced and not careful enough.
Potential, Partial, or Total Loss of Nipple
Breast reduction surgery can also lead to partial or complete loss of nipple, it depends on the size and reposition of the breast.
Other Complications After Breast Reduction Surgery
- Allergies to tape, glue, or suture material.
- Bleeding and Hematoma after surgery
- Asymmetry of Breasts or shape irregularities
- Damage to deeper structures such as blood vessels and underlying nerves
- Excessive firmness of the breasts
- Fluid accumulation
- Poor wound healing and septicemia
- Possibility of revision of the surgery
- Fat and areola necrosis
Complications occurred in 25% to 35% of the patients within 30 days of breast surgery. Infection at the surgical sites occurs in 15% of cases and delayed wound healing in 10% of patients.
Precautions Before Breast Reduction Surgery
- Stop Smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery
- Stop Aspirin 2 weeks before surgery (Do not stop Aspirin if you have a coronary artery stent in place)
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight or 8 hours the night before surgery
