Signs that suggest that you might want to consider a breast reduction
There are a variety of different reasons why a woman might consider having a breast reduction, but some women may not realise that the symptoms they are suffering with are a consequence of breasts that are too large for her frame. Overly large breasts can cause pain and discomfort, so if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, and have larger than average breasts, then you may want to consider exploring your options with a cosmetic surgeon.
Women with very large breasts may find they have:
- Back, neck or shoulder pain
- Skin irritation underneath the breasts
- Difficulties with posture
- Issues with self-confidence regarding the size and shape of the breasts
Breast reduction surgery can help tackle all of these problems, as it can help alter the size, shape, weight and firmness of the breasts.
The first step on your journey will be a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, who will talk to you about your motivations for surgery, the steps you have already taken to make you feel better/more comfortable and they will also talk about your overall health and well-being, including your medical history. The purpose of this consultation is to check your mental and physical suitability for surgery, and also to ensure that you are fully informed about the process and the steps ahead. This is an opportunity for you to ask lots of questions.
What to expect from the breast reduction procedure
If you decide that a breast reduction is the choice for you, you will need to talk to your surgeon in detail about what you are hoping to achieve, visually. This will be done with diagrams and pictures, this could also involve computer simulations of what to expect. Once you and your surgeon are both aligned, you will be booked in for your operation. If you’re a smoker you will be advised to stop smoking in the weeks running up to your operation, as smoking can affect the body’s ability to heal.
Breast reduction can be done as an outpatient operation (you’ll be able to go home later the same day) or in some instances you may have an overnight hospital stay. The operation tends to last between two and five hours, depending on the complexity. An incision is made from the nipple downwards underneath the breast, and surplus skin, fat and tissue from your breasts will be removed. Your nipple will then be repositioned, and your breasts will be stitched.
It is recommended that you have at least one week off work to recover from the operation, and during that time you must get plenty of rest, follow your aftercare plan and ensure that you have plenty of painkillers on hand. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but you’ll soon begin to heal, and any swelling/bruising will gradually ebb away. You’ll see your surgeon around one week later so that they can check your progress and remove any stitches that need taking out.