A woman's breasts are a uniquely feminine feature of her body. For some women, beyond having an immense physical impact on posture and pain relief, the psychological transformation can be life-changing.
Reduction Mammoplasty
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Is this surgery right for me?
Women who are interested in this operation typically have large, heavy breasts which cause them pain – most commonly neck pain, back pain, and shoulder pain. Some people have had large breasts for their whole life, and others have noticed that their breasts have grown during pregnancy/breastfeeding, but not returned to their normal size afterwards.
Exercise or physical activity can be difficult, and some women find their bra cuts in to their shoulders. It may be difficult to find clothing that fits properly, as the breasts may be out of proportion to the rest of their body.
Some women have significant breast asymmetry, with one breast larger than the other, and may be interested in having a reduction on one side to match their other breast.
What does the procedure
journey look like?
To begin your journey at Tailored Plastic Surgery, you will typically have an initial consultation to discuss your goals and see how we can help you. After a second consultation and a cooling-off period of one week, if you wish to proceed, we will schedule the surgery on a date that suits you. We will discuss the steps you need to take in the lead-up to your surgery, and also on the day of your procedure.
Most people feel the difference in their breast volume immediately after their operation, and have minimal pain. The night after your procedure and the day after you may experience some discomfort in the breasts. You will be wearing a post-operative surgical bra and have instructions for medications to take at home, and exercises to perform. You should be able to go home the next day. You should be able to return to work within two weeks depending on your regular occupation. We advise against strenuous physical activity and exercise within the first six weeks.
It is important to remember that with all surgical procedures, there will be swelling immediately after the operation, and after the initial post-operative period, the final results become apparent.
Procedure Risks
Reduction mammoplasty, also known as breast reduction surgery, aims to reduce the size and reshape the breasts. In addition to general surgery risks, potential risks associated with this procedure may include:
Loss of Sensation:
Nerve injury during surgery can result in temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipple or a patch of breast skin.
Inability to Breastfeed:
Damage to the milk ducts during breast surgery may affect the ability to breastfeed. It is important to discuss this risk with your surgeon and consider the best procedure option for your individual situation.
Changes to nipple blood supply:
Breast surgery may impact the blood supply to the nipple and if this occurs, further procedures to address this may be warranted.
Cup size:
There is no standardised measure for bra cup size. Dr Seifman aims to achieve your ideal breast shape and volume, though it is important to ensure harmony between your breasts and the rest of your body.
Additional Risks:
There is a small risk of detecting a breast cancer when performing a reduction mammaplasty. If this occurs, Dr Marc Seifman will discuss the findings with you, and guide you through the appropriate treatment.
Still unsure? Here are some FAQs..
Is this surgery right for me?
Most women who are interested in this operation have had normal or heavy breasts which have deflated in volume, possibly after childbirth, and are saggy or ptotic. Their breasts may not fill their bra cup, or may fill them in a bra but be quite different out of a bra. Women considering this procedure are often looking to reposition their breasts (to lift them), and may be looking to restore cleavage or fullness at the top of the breasts.
What size should I be after a breast reduction?
It is difficult to predict exactly what size you will be after a breast reduction, especially because there is no standardised bra cup size measurement. The priority in reduction mammaplasty is to reduce the heavy and often pendulous breasts to a lighter and more functional position, alleviating the stress that is placed on your back, neck and shoulders. Dr Seifman aims to achieve harmony between your breasts and the rest of your body.
Do I still need to check my breasts regularly after a breast reduction?
Even though the amount of breast has been reduced, we still recommend regular breast checks and screening. All the usual screening tools are still able to be used after you have had a breast reduction.
What scars are there with a breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty)?
Breast reduction can be performed using a lollipop incision (vertical scar reduction) or an inverted-T or anchor incision (Wise pattern reduction). Factors that may influence the decision to choose one incision over another include the amount of excess skin and excess breast tissue you have, your body’s tendency to form good or bad scars, and personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages for either of these methods, and we at Tailored Plastic Surgery are happy to explain these to you and what best suits you.
Can I have a breast reduction at the same time as liposuction?
Breast reduction can be performed alone or with liposuction. The breast reduction is able to remove skin, fat and breast tissue from certain areas of the breast. Liposuction may help with contouring of your breasts.