Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery, which is defined as ‘reduction mammaplasty’ in the medical language, is an operation that is preferred due to the fact that the breasts are larger and drooping than normal or due to the medical problems it causes. A different definition is that breast reduction surgery can be performed due to medical problems as well as aesthetic concerns. In addition to the reduction of genetically large breasts, breast reduction operation applied to suture sagging breasts after the breastfeeding period, to apply to the ways of back and shoulder pain due to the size of the breasts, wounds under the breast and childbirth. Breast reduction can also be performed depending on the preservation of the feeling of pressure created by the bra straps on the shoulders and the restriction of physical activities. In addition to all these, breast reduction surgery can only be performed on people who are disturbed by the appearance of their breasts.

The operation, which takes approximately 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the breast size, is performed by removing the skin and nipple by using reverse T or lollipop incision methods. The person following the breast reduction procedure, which is among the breast operations operations, can continue his daily life within 1 week. After the operation, the small incision and suture directions that are visible turn into skin color after about 3-4 months and become indistinct.

What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery, or in other words, reduction mammoplasty, can be performed for medical reasons as well as aesthetic concerns. The operation is usually performed for reasons such as sagging, not looking beautiful, not being symmetrical, not being able to find clothes due to the fact that the breasts are too large. Medical reasons, on the other hand, are performed to relieve shoulder, neck and back pain caused by the size and therefore weight of the breasts, or to prevent hunchback. Depending on the size of the breasts, the prevention of diaper rash, fungus, infection or wound formation under the breast, and the elimination of pressure sores caused by bra straps are among the reasons for breast reduction surgery performed for medical reasons. People with large breasts also face difficulties during daily physical activities. In addition to genetic factors, a person’s lifestyle can also cause the breasts to grow or lose their shape over time. Factors such as being overweight, pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal irregularity, certain disorders and age can also cause the breasts to grow or lose their shape. With this aspect, breast reduction surgery is performed to eliminate both aesthetic concerns and medical problems. The aim of breast reduction surgery is to obtain a breast of equal size, symmetrical and aesthetic appearance, in the dimensions desired by the patient, with the least possible scarring.

What are the Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery?
As with any operation, there are some risks in breast reduction surgery. Some of these risks can be listed as follows:

Infection and bleeding may rarely occur after surgery.
Nipple sensation may be adversely affected.
Since the milk ducts may be damaged during the surgery, the lactation potential of the breast may decrease.
Many different health problems may arise in operations that are not performed under appropriate conditions.
How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?
Breast reduction surgery, which is performed by removing the fat tissue in the skin and breast, is a type of operation applied to people who are 20 years old and over, whose body development is completed. Breast reduction surgery, which requires completion of physical development as well as hormonal regulation, can be applied to people under this age only in the presence of medical necessity. Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery is completed within 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the breast, using the lollipop incision and reverse T incision methods. In determining the method, parameters such as breast size, position of the nipple according to the breast fold, breast tissue, skin structure, distance between the nipple and shoulder and hip are taken into consideration. In the lollipop incision method, the circumference of the nipple is cut circularly and then the breast tissue and excess skin tissue are removed. The nipple can be moved upwards, if necessary, in the procedure performed by considering the physical appearance of the person. The skin is closed, taking care not to damage the milk ducts, and then a drain is placed in the area to accelerate the healing and expel the accumulated blood in the breast, and the operation is completed. In the reverse T incision method, an incision in the form of an inverted T letter is made in the lower part of the breast. After the excess breast tissue and skin are removed, the operation is terminated as in the lollipop type incision method. After breast reduction surgery, the person must stay in the hospital for one day. After the drain is removed and the dressing is done, the patient is discharged. After the operation, control is made at the end of the 1st and 2nd week. During the control in the 2nd week, the stitches are removed and special creams are used to reduce the scars. Thanks to the special bra, the patient can return to his daily life after 1 week of home rest. However, it is recommended to wear a special bra similar to a sports bra for 6 weeks. Mild stinging and tingling may be felt in the breasts for 6 to 12 months after the operation. However, this feeling does not reduce the quality of life of the person.

Is There Any Scar After Breast Reduction Surgery?
As in almost all operations, scars may remain on the skin after breast reduction surgery. The shape and size of the scar varies according to the technique used during the operation. In the lollipop type of operation, the surgical scar is less. The reason for this is that the amount of incision is small and the incision is around the nipple. In other words, the scar between the skin and the nipple is almost indistinguishable due to the color difference in this area. In the reverse T type surgery, the surgical scar is larger. The incision downwards from the nipple becomes less obvious by gaining skin color over time. The horizontal line at the fold point of the breast cannot be seen unless viewed from the opposite side. The scar of the operation also differs depending on how much the breast sagged or how much it wants to be reduced.