18th April 2017
Can women who have undergone breast reduction surgery breastfeed? Do breast reduction surgeries cause pain and scars later? Dr Amiti Shah, Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon at K J Somaiya Hospital Super Specialty Centre, Mumbai dispels myths about breast reduction surgeries.
What is a breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction surgery reduces the size of the breast and lifts it into a higher position on the chest wall. During the procedure, the surgeon removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve the desired breast size and look.
Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?
Women with breasts that are too large for their frame, or women with large drooping breasts, those who feel the heavy weight on their chest wall during regular activities, women with constant upper back and neck pain due to heavy breasts are candidates for breast reduction surgery. Many of these women also develop bra-strap marks on their shoulder. Some women develop excessive sweating and fungal infections under the breasts due to their size and drooping. These women can opt for breast reduction surgeries.
What are the benefits of a breast reduction surgery?
An immediate end to back and neck pain. After the immediate post-op period, women are able to maintain a more active life with more frequent exercise. Women fit into normal-sized blouses and bras.
Is there pain after breast reduction surgery?
Mild to moderate pain may occur. This pain is easily controlled with the pain relieving medications.
How long does it take to get back to normal activities after breast reduction surgery?
The recovery period ranges from several days to a week or two. You can be up and about the very next day after the surgery but certain upper body exercises and activities may be restricted for a period of 4 weeks.
When can I return to work after breast reduction surgery?
Returning to work should be okay within about one to two weeks after the surgery, depending on your overall progress and type of occupation you will be returning to. If your work involves heavy lifting, it may be five to six weeks until you are back to work.
Will I have scars after the surgery?
All methods of breast reduction require some sort of cut or incision and unfortunately, incisions mean scarring. There are methods available which leave shorter or less visible scars but not all women qualify to receive these procedures. The size of your breasts and amount of reduction necessary will determine the procedure that is best suited to you.
Does liposuction work as a method breast reduction?
While it is true that liposuction can be used for breast reduction, the fact is that very few women meet the criteria necessary to achieve optimal results from this method.
In a lipo-reduction only fatty tissue, as opposed to actual breast tissue, is removed. Additionally, the breasts are not reinforced or lifted in any way and the nipple is not repositioned. To be considered as a candidate for a lipo-only-reduction, women with moderately-sized breasts, good elasticity of the skin and nipple placement are some of the factors that will need to considered. Typically woman considering breast reduction are seeking to remedy extremely large breasts with nipples that rest at an abnormally low position, thus this method is generally not recommended.
Which method of breast reduction is the best?
There are many methods of breast reduction. Each technique is suited to different types of patient and desired outcomes. These will be discussed in detail during your consultation.
Are there any risks or potential complications associated with breast reduction surgery?
It is important to understand that any surgical procedure presents some level of risk. In the case of breast surgery, there are rare cases in which patients experience such things as loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts or lose the ability to breastfeed. We will discuss the subject of risk and potential complications with you in detail prior to your surgery. You can greatly assist in lowering your risk for complications by closely following any instructions we give.
Will I still be able to breastfeed?
In most cases, it is possible to preserve the lactating functions of the breast but this cannot be guaranteed. When you choose to undergo breast reduction surgery, you must be aware of this risk. In those rare cases which require complete nipple detachment (free nipple graft) breast function is guaranteed to be lost. Your surgeon will inform you in advance whether this method will be required in your surgery.
What is the best age for breast reduction surgery?
While breast reduction may be performed at any age, it is generally recommend to wait until one’s breasts are fully developed. If breast reduction needs to be done before a patient’s breasts have fully developed, the patient must understand that there is a possibility of the requirement of a second reduction surgery later in life. It is also recommended waiting until after you have had children, as the processes of child birth and breastfeeding can cause unpredictable changes in the size and shape of your breasts. However, if the breasts are extremely large and the patient desires reduction, it can be performed safely even before birthing children and breast feeding.
