About Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes fat, breast tissue and excess skin from the breasts, resulting is a more aesthetic and proportional breasts to the overall women’s body. More than only an aesthetic procedure, breast reduction is mainly a functional procedure as it relieves physical discomfort caused by overly large breasts (back, neck and shoulder pain, shoulder grooves and discomfort while exercising or performing strenuous activities). Indications for breast reduction are three-fold — physical, aesthetic, and psychological. Reduction mammoplasty can be performed at any age but preferably when breasts stop developing, usually by the age of 16 or 18.
Practical information
Surgery time | 4-5 hours |
Anaesthesia | General anesthesia. |
Night Stay or Outpatient | 1 night stay. |
Downtime | 2 weeks to go back to work. |
Postoperative care | Sleep facing up during the first month, rest as much as you can specially in the first week, do not perform strenuous activities, take antibiotics and pain killers as prescribed and wear the surgical bra for 1 moth. |
Breast Size: How big my breasts are?
When it comes to overly large breasts sizes, we can usually refer to two conditions:
Macromastia: in this condition, each breast is usually heavier than 500 gm. Breasts sag and cause chronic pain (back, neck, head and shoulders) but can also cause other health problems such as poor blood flow, impaired breathing, shoulder grooves and skin abrasion in the inframammary fold.
Gigantomastia: this condition refers to abnormally large breasts usually heavier than 1,000 gm each). Symptoms are similar to the ones of Macromastia but usually more severe, affecting women´s physical and mental health. Breast reduction is very important in Gigantomastia´s cases as surgery benefits will improve self-esteem, anxiety and will reduce psychological symptoms associated with this condition.
Commons Symptoms of Overly Large Breasts
- Pain (head, neck, back and shoulders)
- Skin irritation
- Shoulder grooves
- Difficulty or inability to perform sports or other strenuous activities
- Headaches
- Breath shortness
- Numbness and tingling
- Poor blood circulation
CANDIDATE CRITERIA
Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction surgery?
If you feel your breasts are too large and/or experience the symptoms above, you are probably a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
However, good candidates for reduction mammaplasty also meet the following criteria:
- Large and sagging breasts.
- Breast asymmetry (one breast larger than the other one).
- Enlarged areolas.
- Nipples pointing down.
- Wish to reduce size for a tighter and firmer look.
- Stable weight.
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- If you are planning to have children in the short run it would be preferable to wait until you are done with having children as pregnancy and breastfeeding can interfere with results (size and appearance).
STEP BY STEP
Breast Reduction – Surgery Step by Step
Step 1: Markings
Before administrating the anesthesia, the patient is marked in standing position (select the nipple and areola position as well as the skin removal incisions).
STEP 2: Anesthesia
General anesthesia is administered by inserting a flexible breathing tube into the patient.
Step 3 – Preparation
Patient´s skin is disinfected, and blue wraps are placed to protect the surgical place from external environment. This is a surgical health and safety rule.
Step 4 – Incisions
Incision is performed according to each patient particular case (Vertical/“Lollipop” or Inverted T/”Anchor”).
Step 5 – Breast reshaping
Excess fat, tissue and skin are removed. Nipple and areola are elevated as it happens in a breast lift procedure (breast lift is usually part of a breast reduction surgery).
Step 6 – Closing incisions
Incisions are closed.
Step 7 – Checking final results
Final results are checked, and small corrections are made if necessary. Drains will be used for 24 to 48 hours. Before being taken to the recovery room, patient is woken up and worn a surgical bra.
SCARS
Breast Reduction options
As with any surgical procedure, a breast reduction involves scars. The appearance of breast reduction scars will depend on how big breasts are and how much you wish to reduce. The plastic surgeon will choose the scar type that deliver the best results with the least potential for residual scaring. Scar healing and final result vary from patient to patient, but it can take up to 18 months to see its final appearance. It is very important to follow medical recommendations and avoid direct sun exposure during the healing process.
Liposuction: In certain cases, a breast reduction can be performed with liposuction alone with virtually undetectable scars – this option will only achieve good results in patients that only wish a slight reduction in breast size, have good skin elasticity and breasts are not sagging. This technique only removes excess fat, not breast tissue.
Vertical or Lollipop: the vertical or lollipop scar involves two incisions: one around the areola´s edge and a vertical one from the lower areola edge to the inframammary fold. This is a suitable technique for women who need a moderate breast reduction and lift.
Inverted T or Anchor: inverted or anchor scar involves three incisions: one around the areola´s edge, a vertical one between the lower areola and the inframammary fold and another one made along the inframammary fold (smaller or bigger depending on each particular case). The inverted T or Anchor is considered a more invasive technique and it allows a higher degree of tissue removal and reshaping. This technique is suitable for women needing a more significant degree of breast reduction and reshaping.
COMBINING PROCEDURES
Breast Reduction and Lift in the same procedure
Breast reduction surgery is a top choice for women who wish to reduce the size of their breasts and improve their appearance. Most women with overly large breasts also suffer from breast sagging and for this reason, breast reduction surgery also includes lifting. All reductions that are performed making Vertical or Inverted T incisions will include a lift.
ENLARGED AREOLAS
Reduce the size of your areolas with a breast reduction
Most women with overly large breasts also have enlarged areolas and for this reason, areola reduction and reshaping are also included in a breast reduction surgery. Breast reduction is about reducing size but also about improving breasts appearance.
THE RIGHT SIZE
How do I decide the size I want to be after a breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction patients are typically very happy with surgery results as they feel more comfortable, fit in clothes better and can perform more actives. Choosing breast size when performing a breast reduction is not as straightforward as it is in breast augmentation where usually you just need to worry about your initial breast size and breast implant size. It is difficult to predict and exact size you will be able to achieve (in cup size) as bra cups are not 100% standardized. Also, there are many factors that need to be considered when choosing the reduction “amount” and techniques as it depends on initial size/physical characteristics, patient’s goals and other aspects such as:
- Age.
- Initial breast size and desired look.
- Degree of drooping and skin elasticity.
- Measurements (height, weight, distance from nipple to the neck, distance between the breasts, thorax width, etc).
- Evaluate patient’s priorities: comfort, aesthetics or both.
- If patient considers breastfeeding in the future, it is an important aspect to take into account.
- After a careful evaluation of your physical characteristics and desires, your plastic surgeon will advise you on an approximate size that is possible to achieve.
RECOVERY PROCESS
Your recovery timeline after breast reduction
As with any surgery, breast reduction recovery takes some time and the better you prepare for it, the easiest it will be. It is very important to know what to expect, so you know exactly how to plan your life for the days following surgery (work, kids, home duties, social events, etc). Also, it is very important to carefully follow your plastic surgeon´s instructions and take prescribed medications as recovery period will affect how your breasts will look over time. You must wear a surgical bra for at least 4 weeks.
Here’s what you need to know about breast lift surgery recovery process, how you will feel, what to expect and how to care for your new breasts. Each patient is different, and recovery may be different on each patient as well.
Immediately after surgery
Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and the patient goes home the day after. When you wake up from the anesthesia, you will feel tired, sleepy and maybe a little bit dizzy. You will also feel swelling and pressure in the chest area specially when your breath deeply. When you are discharged, someone must pick you up at the clinic and take you home as you are not allowed to drive.
First 3 days
Breast reduction recovery can be painful for the first 48 hours and it is advisable to take the prescribed pain killer medications. You must rest completely during the first 24 hours and get on and about/take a shower on the second day. As every patient is different and reacts differently, we cannot predict exactly how you will react. For this reason, we advise to keep the first 3 days to rest at home. Make sure you arrange someone to help you at home during the first week in case you need assistance. The drainage tubes will be in place for about 24 to 48 hours and will be removed during your first consultation.
After 1 week
Most patients resume simple activities in 3 days and after a week you may be ready for other activities such as driving, short walks, dropping kids off to school, evening parties and easy home cleaning.
After 2 weeks
You can return to work (if your work does not require intense physical effort), resume the gym with light activities, gradually increasing the intensity. You can also go swimming if you are healing as expected (covering the scars). Stitches are removed around 10 days post-op.
After 4 weeks
You can get back to the life you had prior to surgery, perform more intense physical activities, use normal bras, resume breast related sexual activities and sleep facing down. The scars may still be slightly tender if pressed.
After 3 months
The final outcome of a breast reduction surgery is expected after 3 to 6 months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Scars are permanent but will continue to fade over time – up to 12 to 18 months.
FEES
Price of a breast reduction surgery in Karachi
After consultation with Dr. Zia you will receive an estimate of cost from the finance department. This will include the cost of surgery and anesthesia, hospital charges, and the cost of disposables used during the surgery (excluding implants). Medicines given during post op period and cost of follow up visits are not included in this estimate. Any revisional surgery if required is also not included. The usual estimate for a breast reduction surgery in Karachi starts from Rs 420,000. the exact price depends on surgery complexity and will be confirmed following you breast reduction consultation. To schedule your consultation or for more information on prices and conditions, please contact us today on the following numbers:
- Aga Khan Hospital: +92 21 111 911 911
- Cooper Consultants Clinic: +92 21 35 37 0671 4
RESULTS
What can I expect from a breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction delivers dramatic changes to a woman´s life. Some of the benefits of having reduction mammoplasty include:
Appearance: having smaller breasts will make a woman look more proportional and natural which has a direct effect on confidence and self-esteem. After surgery most women start wearing clothes they did not wear before (t-shirts and smaller tops).
Comfort: improvements in posture, head, back and neck pain, skin irritation and other conditions caused by having overly large breasts. In most cases, breast reduction highly improves or eliminates these symptoms.
Quality of life: overly large and heavy breasts can limit some activities such as exercising. Having lighter and more proportional breasts will improve the ability to carry out certain activities and improve quality of life in general.
BREAST REDUCTION SPECIALIST
Why choose Dr Zia ul Islam for your breast reduction surgery?
Dr. Zia is an experienced/qualified plastic surgeon from Karachi with over 10 years of experience in performing breast surgeries including breast reductions. Breast reductions are complex procedures that require knowledge and experience to achieve good results.
- Zia routinely performs breast reduction surgeries with excellent results.
- Proven results by before and after pictures.
- Top rated plastic surgeon in Karachi.
- Performs surgeries in state of art clinics – Aga Khan Hospital and Cooper Clinic in Karachi.
SCHEDULE YOUR BREAST REDUCTION
APPOINTMENT IN KARACHI
Aga Khan Hospital
+92 21 111 911 911
Cooper Consultants Clinic
+92 21 35 37 0671 4
If you have decided on performing your Breast Reduction surgery in Karachi or you simply want to learn more about the procedure, please schedule your appointment with Dr. Zia.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Breast Reduction – Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell I need a breast reduction?
If you answer yes to some of the following it is very likely that you need a breast reduction but only an experienced plastic surgeon will be able to confirm it:
- Your breasts are very large.
- You feel pain on your back, neck, shoulders.
- Skin irritation specially in the breast crease.
- Shoulder grooves.
- Difficulty or inability to perform sports or other strenuous activities.
Are the results of a breast reduction permanent?
Breast reduction results are permanent unless you go through major weight fluctuations or become pregnant. Also, surgery does not stop the natural aging process, so it is normal that your breast appearance changes through the years.
Can breast reduction correct breast asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry is one of the common symptoms of women with overly large breasts. In most cases, breast reduction can improve symmetry, but it depends upon a patient individual characteristic.
Will my breasts grow again after surgery?
Although it is rare that breasts grow back after surgery, it can happen, and the patient may require a second surgery. In most cases when breasts grow back after surgery is usually for one or some of the following reasons:
- Weight gain.
- Drastic hormonal changes.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Use of certain medications that affect the endocrine system.
- Continued breath growth usually in teens (this is the reason why surgery must be performed when growth is completed).
- Breast hyperplasia.
What is the ideal age for a breast reduction surgery performed?
There is no exact age to get a breast reduction surgery performed but there are a few aspects that need to be considered before deciding if is the right time. If the patient is a teenager, it is very important for the plastic surgeon to consider whether the breasts are still growing or have stopped growing (usually at least 6 months without growing). However, in some very young women, their breasts are so large that an early reduction may be necessary to reduce discomfort and self-consciousness. On the other hand, on a later age, you may want to postpone breast reduction surgery if you are considering having children or go on a weight loss plan in the near future.
What are the risks and complications associated with a breast reduction surgery?
A breast lift is a very safe procedure but as in any other surgery there is always a change of risks and complications. The most common complications associated with breast reduction are anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, inability to breastfeed, changes or loss in nipple sensation. During your breast reduction consultation with Dr. Zia, surgery risks will be discussed in detail and you can ask all your questions.
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Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?
If you are planning to breastfeed in the future, you must discuss this with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery. During surgery some tissue is removed, and nerves and milk ducts may be affected. Advanced surgery techniques help plastic surgeons protect parts of the breast that make milk, but it is still one of surgery risks you must be conscious us when you decide undergoing surgery.
Will I lose sensation after a breast reduction?
In general, there is a potential for losing nipple sensation following a breast reduction surgery. However, in certain techniques there is very minimal to no sensation loss in nipple sensation, but you should first need to be evaluated by your plastic surgeon to discuss each technique and its risks.
Can smokers perform a breast reduction?
Patients should stop smoking a few months before and after performing a breast reduction surgery since smoking significantly reduces the supply of oxygen, increasing the risk of complications, infection and healing problems.