BREAST REDUCTION

Who is Suitable for This Surgery?

Breasts may become droopy due to various reasons. The ligaments that hold breast tissue in place can loosen over time. There might be a discrepancy between the breast tissue and the surrounding skin envelope due to weight changes, breastfeeding, and the effect of gravity. The issue can be related to breast tissue, skin, or both, resulting in a sagging appearance resembling an empty interior.

Preoperative Preparation

As with other breast surgeries, discuss with your doctor why you wish to undergo the surgery and what you expect from it. Inform your doctor if there’s a history of breast disease or cancer in your family, if you smoke, have medication habits, or have a systemic illness. Inquire about the shape of the surgery and potential issues.

Surgery

In aesthetic breast lift surgery, droopy breast tissue is reshaped, and excess skin is removed. The nipple is brought to its proper position. The surgery is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia in the operating room. It takes 1.5-2 hours. The presence of scars varies depending on the degree of sagging. Regardless of the method used, it is inevitable to have scars around the nipple. If a breast lift surgery is performed by making an incision around the nipple, the scar around the nipple may be more prominent. In addition to the scar around the nipple in other breast lift surgeries, there may be a 4-5 cm scar extending downwards from the middle of the lower edge of the nipple. In suitable patients, sagging can be eliminated by simply placing a breast implant. In this case, the surgical scar is hidden only at the junction of the brownish skin of the nipple and the white skin of the breast and is minimal. There is no breast lift surgery that leaves no scars. However, these scars are initially distinct but gradually become less noticeable over time.

Postoperative Period

The postoperative period is generally comfortable. Pain typically does not pose a problem. If a breast implant is used during surgery, there may be some limitation in arm movements for a few days. A dressing similar to a bra is applied over the breasts. Separate dressing is applied over the nipple. The dressing is opened two days later to check the wound. The dressing is removed after 7 days. Stitches are removed after 7-10 days. The patient is provided with a sports bra for 6 weeks and is advised to massage. There may be swelling in the early period, numbness in the nipple, and purplish discoloration of the skin. These disappear on their own shortly.

Return to Normal Life

The patient can return to work within 3-4 days. It is recommended to avoid strenuous sports for 3 months. Aesthetic breast lift surgery generally provides good and lasting results, improving the mental health of the individual and their partner, making them more committed to life. The reshaped breast remains durable for a long time, but weight changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and gravity can cause new sagging.

Possible Issues Related to Surgery

Every surgery can result in some unwanted conditions. It is beneficial to discuss these possibilities with your doctor.