Breast reduction
Breast surgery
Breast hypertrophy is characterized by large volume breasts, frequently combined with a breast ptosis (drooping breasts).
This hypertrophy can be responsible for aesthetic and functional discomfort, resulting in cervicodorsal pain, difficulties in getting dressed or playing sports, and cutaneous irritation in the submammary furrows.
Breast reduction aims to reduce the volume of hypertrophic breasts. It also enables to enhance their shape by repositioning upwards the areola and the nipple.
This procedure can be achieved from the end of the pubertal period (end of the breast development).
Procedure steps
- Dr. Petit will begin with questioning your medical history as well as your family history of breast cancer, your bra size, your weight and your size, your breast erogenous sensitivity (sensitive to sexual stimulation), your pregnancy and breast-feeding projects as well as your tobacco consumption.
- He will listen to you in order to understand your motivations and your expectations relating to the volume of the breasts, and will suggest the most appropriate breast volume corresponding to your figure.
- He will carry out a clinical examination of your breasts and will note the possible asymmetries that can persist after the surgery.
- Dr. Petit will provide information on the scar positioning, treatment process and procedure limits, post-operative recoveries as well as main risks, so as to make an informed decision.
Good candidates for breast reduction are those
- With bilateral breast hypertrophy.
- Having an asymmetry relating to breast volume and wishing to reduce the volume of the biggest breast to the smallest breast size.
- With aesthetic and functional discomfort.
- Accepting the scarring price.
Pre-operative instructions
General pre-operative instructions relating to aesthetic surgery
- Smoking cessation 1 month before and after the procedure.
- Discontinuation of medicines which increase bleeding 10 days before and after the procedure: aspirin, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant medicines, vitamin E.
Specific pre-operative instructions relating to the breast reduction
- To do a mammography to return on the day of surgery.
Procedure stages
Pre-operative markings are performed by Dr. Petit before the operation.
The operation is achieved under general anesthesia, with an out-patient basis (hospital discharge that very evening) or with hospitalization of one night at the clinic according to the cases.
Breast lift surgery consists in repositioning upwards and reducing the size of the areolae, in removing the excess glandular tissue, and in reassembling the mammary gland.
Three scars in the shape of an anchor are necessary to reshape your breasts: a periareolar scar (around the areola), a vertical scar extending from the areola to the submammary fold, and a horizontal scar within the submammary fold.
The skin closure is performed with subcutaneous resorbable sutures.
A dressing modeling the breasts is performed at the end of the procedure.
What to expect after surgery
Breast reduction is a little or non-painful procedure. Pains are well soothed by analgesics.
Ecchymosis (bruises) can subside within 2 weeks after the operation. An oedema (swelling) is constant and of variable duration, gradually subsiding within a few months.
Daily nursing care after your shower with a soft soap is necessary during 10 to 15 days.
The wearing of a support bra without any underwiring is recommended day and night during 1 month.
The resumption of daily activities is possible the day following the procedure.
The resumption of professional activities is possible 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure.
The resumption of sports activities can be done from 4 to 6 weeks following the operation.
Procedure risks
The complications of breast reduction are weak.
Main risks are the following:
- A haematoma: rare complication which may involve a secondary surgical revision to drain it.
In the post-operative month:
- Healing problems.
- Transitory troubles of skin sensitivity.
- An infection, a necrosis of the areola and nipple: rare complications.
In the long term:
- A decrease or a loss of erogenous sensitivity in 5% of cases.
- A scar expansion (of the sub-pectoral scar in severe forms).
- A pathological scarring (hypertrophic scars or keloids).
Long-term result
The final result of breast reduction is obtained between 3 to 6 months after the procedure, when the post-operative oedema has disappeared. Your breasts will gradually regain their natural shape during this period.
The scars initially are inflammatory (red and swollen) the first months, then they will fade gradually without disappearing. The final aspect of your scars is not predictable and will be known at the end of the scarring maturation (between 1 and 2 years after the procedure).
Dr. Petit uses the best surgical technique to achieve a discreet scar. However, the random character of the skin healing process does not enable to foresee its quality given that the residual scar is unpredictable. It is possible to use a new laser technology in order to optimize your scar outcome for a less visible scar.
The result is stable and long-lasting except in case of significant changes in body weight or pregnancy. However, your new breasts will evolve like any uncorrected woman subject to the effects of gravity and ageing.