Breast reductions are becoming increasingly popular in recent years. With women realising that large breasts can cause detrimental effects to your posture and leave you in pain until you get a breast reduction. In this article we will go through what to expect with a breast reduction in Manchester or New York, no matter where you are in the world, the information will be the same.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is a cosmetic surgery that reduces the size, weight and shape of large, heavy breasts. The procedure helps to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance that is more proportionate to the patient’s body shape and size. When the surgeon removes excess breast tissue, fat and sagging, the appearance of the breasts will feel smaller, lighter and firmer whilst also looking much more symmetrical.
Whilst a reduction has many benefits for relieving pain and discomfort, there are many more benefits to why you would get a breast reduction including:
- Breasts will look more youthful due to them being lifted and firmer.
- Bras will fit much better
- Your silhouette will look more proportioned making you feel more attractive.
- Large nipples and stretched areolas can be reshaped, aligned and reduced.
- You will feel much more confident in a bathing suit.
How Do I Choose The Right Breast Reduction Surgeon?
If you have decided to commit to having your breast reduced, then it is key that you find the correct surgeon for your needs as this is going to be your most important decision. Many surgeons will only opt to have the breasts reduced purely for comfort and pain release. This should not be the case though, they should be also concentrating on the aesthetic side of things and make them a more beautiful natural look.
When you start to visit a range of different surgeons, you should ask questions like how frequently they do this procedure, how many procedures have they done and ask to see before and after pictures of patients with similar breasts and skin colour so you know how the scarring will look.
One thing that all the surgeons you go to see should have is to be board certified. This shows they have been through rigorous training in the procedure as well as health and safety training. When picking your surgeon you don’t want to go for the cheapest as this will hinder your optimum results.
What Are The Breast Reduction Options?
When you are having a breast reduction, the surgeon can do it in several ways. This will be determined by the patient’s current breast anatomy, the amount of tissue to be taken out and also the patient’s expectations of the way they look. The type of techniques they will use are:
Liposuction For Breast Reduction
Some patients are lucky enough to be able to have liposuction alone to reduce their breast size. There are many benefits of this, including a shorter and less intrusive procedure that leaves minimal scarring and it lasts well. The issue with this surgery is that it can only be done to remove small to moderate pockets of fat. The patients must also have young skin which still has its elasticity, has little to no sagging and is largely due to being excessive fatty tissue.
Vertical Breast Reduction
Patients who need a more moderate reduction who also have noticeable sagging are the right candidates for this procedure. It includes two incisions, one is around the edge of the areola, and the second is from the bottom of the areola to the bottom fold of the breast. This helps to remove excess fat and tissue whilst being able to reshape internally and lift the breast so they appear firmer and more youthful. The scarring on this surgery is minimal and is only visible under the nipple which can be hidden by bras and bikinis.
Inverted-T Breast Reduction
The inverted-T technique includes three incisions, the first is around the edge of the areola, the next vertically from the areola to the crease and then the final incision is along the crease under the breast. If a patient needs a significant reduction, the surgeon will use this method as it allows maximum ability to remove tissue, reshape and raise if needed. Scarring is similar to the vertical technique but with an added thin scar under the crease but with proper care, they will fade within the first year.
What Is Breast Reduction Recovery Like?
Once you have had the surgery, you will be put in supervised recovery for a few hours until you can do a few things they ask you to do. The great news is that you will be able to go home the same day of the surgery. Your chest will be bandaged up and will be given a surgical bra so you will not be able to see the final result yet.
For the first couple of days, you will obviously be sore and uncomfortable which you will have painkillers for. If you can put regular doses of ice on top of the bandages, this can help to reduce the discomfort.
Most people will feel ready to get back to life as normal and drive after and go to work after around 1 week but will get you to exercise after around 3-4 weeks as this helps to ensure the incisions are healed properly. You can further boost your recovery by eating a well balanced and healthy diet, keeping hydrated and moving around regularly to improve your immune system.