Breast Reduction Surgery (reduction mammaplasty)
Breast Reduction Surgery in Mumbai
Disproportionately large breasts can cause both physical and emotional distress. Patients may experience physical discomfort resulting from the weight of their breasts. The resulting pain can make it challenging for some patients to perform common physical activities. Easy exercises (such as jumping, cycling, jogging) are also difficult. Larger heavy breasts cause chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, skin irritation under the breasts. Along with the physical pain, some patients may suffer from emotional distress or more significant mental health problems as a result of their large breasts.
Breast reduction also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure to remove excess breast fat, tissue and skin to achieve a breast size more in proportion with your body and to get rid of the discomfort associated with excessively large breasts.
Operation
Breast reduction can either be done by surgery or by liposuction to remove the excess fat in your breasts. Your surgeon will recommend a technique more suitable to you. The surgery will usually involve making incision around areola and down the breast, removal of excess fat, skin & tissues, reshaping of breast with repositioning of nipple & areola.
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia & takes anywhere between 2 to 4 hours based on size, shape and if it is combined with breast lift procedure. It requires an overnight stay and patient can go home the next day. The incisions are taken to minimize scars and breast is positioned to improve overall body contour.
Result
Breast reduction procedure will help achieve following.
- Improved body image and self-esteem
- Relief from neck, back & shoulder pain due to weight of breasts
- Ability to participate in physical activities. Enjoying jumping, bouncing, jogging, cycling etc.
- Rejuvenated figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted
What about scars?
One of the biggest worries that many women have about undergoing breast surgery is how visible the surgery scars will be. Scars are an inevitable part of any invasive surgery. Periareola scar heals quite well. The only visible scar is the one that runs down the breast. This Scar also often fades with time. Scar lightening will take several months up to a year after surgery. Scarring tends to be most visible in people with extremely dark skin. Please discuss about scars with your surgeon.
Risks/ Complications
Breast reduction surgery is generally a safe procedure but following potential complaints, risks and complications may occur; most of the which will subside in 2 weeks’ time. These are largely driven by one’s healing abilities.
- Bleeding, Infection, Bruising, swelling & pain
- Nausea, numbness & itching around wound
- Changes in Nipple or breast sensation
- Partial or total loss of nipples and/or areolae
- Difficulty in breast feeding
In rare case, as with all surgical procedures, a revision surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Care after treatment/ surgery
Immediately following surgery, breast will be covered in gauze & surgical bra will be in place to support natural healing process, minimize bruising and swelling. A tube might be placed under each arm to drain any excess blood or fluid. You will need to take at least one week off from work or school for breast reduction surgery. Some people need two weeks, but each situation varies. Vigorous activities including gym, sex etc. should be avoided in 1st six weeks.
After you are discharged from hospital, you will see your surgeon in post-surgery follow up sessions during which as well, you will be given more guidance on care, activities etc. Any plastic or other surgery does not stop biological ageing process and your surgeon will recommend you ways to have effect of surgery lasted for long.
Costs
Costs for individual procedures will vary widely based on procedure & hospital chosen for surgery but usually involves following.
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital facility charges
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical tests & medicines
- Any post-surgery garments
If revision surgery is needed in a rare case, your surgeon will not charge Surgeon’s fee but other costs will have to be borne by patient as applicable.