What Happens During Breast Reduction Surgery


Cosmetic Surgery Enquiry

Breast reduction surgery is a complicated procedure. Whilst different surgeons use different incision patterns to remove the breast tissue, the general procedure remains the same.

Consulting a Surgeon

The first step of the procedure for breast reduction surgery is to find an experienced cosmetic surgeon and to meet with them to discuss your treatment. During this meeting, you will be able to tell them what you expect from the surgery so that they can advise you on the best options. You should make sure that this meeting is not before or during your period when your breasts are tender.

The surgeon will take your medical history and examine you to ensure that you are able to undergo surgery. They will then photograph and measure your breasts so that they have a reference of your breast size. You will be able to discuss what you expect your breasts to look like after the surgery and ask any questions that you have about the treatment.

You should also ask the surgeon about their experience doing breast reduction surgery. You should find out how long they have been doing it for and how often they perform the surgery a week. You should also ask for before and after pictures and patient testimonies.

Breast Reduction Surgery

On the day of your surgery, you will be told not to eat or drink for a certain period before the operation. You will then be put under a general anaesthetic, which will put you to sleep. You will then be taken into the operating theatre where an anti- bacterial solution will be used to cover your breasts and chest.

The surgeon will cut your breasts following the marks that he has created using a surgical pen. These cuts will go around the nipple and then down the breast in a vertical incision. In some surgeons will also cut below your breast in the natural fold creating an anchor- like shape, whereas others do not make this incision.

They will start by cutting around the nipple, which will be moved upwards so that it sits naturally on your breasts when the tissue has been removed. In most cases, the nipple will be moved whilst it is still attached to the body but if your breasts are very large it may need to be removed completely.

Excess fat and tissue will then be removed from the breast through the incision. Once the desired amount of fat has been removed, excess skin will be cut away and the remaining skin will be moulded to your newly shaped breasts.

This procedure can take between one and a half and five hours depending on the complexity of the surgery and the amount of tissue that is removed. Once the tissue has been removed, the incision will be closed with stitches. It may be necessary to leave a drainage tube in the incision to drain any blood. This will be removed after two days.

After the Procedure

Immediately after the procedure, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will be brought round from the anaesthetic. You may feel nauseous after this and may suffer from uncontrollable shivering. If you are cold, you should ask for a warm blanket, or ask for the heat lamps to be turned on, if they are provided.

You will normally be required to stay in the hospital for one or two nights after the procedure. During this time, nurses will regularly monitor your vitals to ensure that you are recovering from the operation. You will be given pain medication to prevent you from feeling discomfort during this stage.

After being discharged from the hospital, you should ask someone to drive you home. You should also make sure that there would be someone to look after you once you are home, as you will need to relax for at least ten days after the surgery. After ten days, either your stitches will dissolve or they will be removed by a professional.

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