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© 2021 by PRISTYN CARE Pristyn Care® is a trademark of GHV Advanced Care Private Limited
© 2021 by PRISTYN CARE Pristyn Care® is a trademark of GHV Advanced Care Private Limited
Everything You Need to Know About Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is the 8th most common plastic surgery performed across the globe. Also known as reduction mammaplasty, it is the best way to reduce the size of breasts and ease the discomfort and pain caused by large-sized breasts. It also helps to improve the self-image and boost self-confidence in a woman. Read here to learn more about breast reduction.
Table of Index
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Why Breast Reduction is Needed?
Types of Breast Reduction
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Risks & Complications
When to consult a doctor?
Questions to ask your doctor
Treatment Options & Cost
Insurance coverage
Recovery rate
Long term outlook of the treatment
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction or reduction mammaplasty is the procedure for the removal of excess breast tissues and fat. It helps to get a proportionate size of the breasts to the body. The procedure helps to get rid of the discomfort that is usually associated with excessively large breasts (macromastia).
Why Breast Reduction is Needed?
Typically, breast reduction is needed for women whose breast size has increased significantly – a condition known as macromastia. In this condition, the breasts become disproportionate and start causing physical and emotional distress. The pain and discomfort further make it difficult for the woman to perform common physical activities, including running, jogging, etc. A woman may opt for the surgical reduction to resolve issues, such as-
- Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Chronic rash or irritation on the skin under the breasts
- Nerve pain
- Restricted activity
- Low self-esteem due to large breasts
- Difficulty fitting into the bras and clothing
Breast reduction addresses the physical and psychological issues and helps to get rid of such problems effectively. Along with undergoing breast reduction for medical reasons, there are many women who opt for the procedure for aesthetic reasons to cite cosmetic concerns, such as social stigmas or wardrobe concerns.
Types of Breast Reduction
Liposuction Breast Reduction
Vertical or Lollipop Breast Reduction
Inverted-T or ‘Anchor’ Breast Reduction
Diagnosis
Once you decide to undergo breast reduction surgery, the doctor needs to evaluate your health to ensure that you are an ideal candidate for the procedure. The plastic surgeon will discuss the following things to diagnose your health-
- Your physical health includes the medical history of diseases, illnesses, surgeries, immunizations, and current physical status.
- The doctor will also review your diet and exercise regime.
- Your mental health to ensure that you are making the decision to undergo surgery after careful consideration.
- Medications that you are currently taking, include supplements and vitamins.
- Any allergies to medications, food items, environmental factors, etc.
Based on the discussion, the doctor will assess the risks and potential complications of the surgery and provide instructions to prepare you for the surgery.
Risks & Complications
The risks with breast reduction surgery are very similar to other procedures. The potential risks are-
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Things to Consider Before Breast Reduction Some important things that you should keep in mind while considering or planning for breast reduction are mentioned below-
- The procedure must be done when the breasts are fully developed.
- Piercings can cause infection in the breasts.
- Breast reduction surgery can interfere with some diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays for cancer screening.
- The ability to breastfeed is usually affected by breast reduction surgery. The procedure is likely to affect milk production.
- Keep in mind that changes in breasts due to pregnancy or significant weight loss/gain can impact the outcomes of previous breast reduction surgery.
- Women who smoke on a regular basis have a higher risk of complications. Therefore, the doctor will strictly recommend you quit smoking completely before having the surgery.
Right Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery A woman is considered the right candidate for breast reduction surgery if she meets the following criteria-
- The physical, mental, and emotional health are good and stable.
- The breasts are too large for the body frame.
- Body posture is being affected by the weight of the breasts
- The breast size restricts physical activities.
- Large breasts cause self-consciousness.
- The expectations from breast surgery are realistic.
When to consult a doctor?
Generally, large size breast is not a matter of concern. However, some women believe that large size breasts may increase the chances of cancer. But this is very rare. The right time to see a doctor regarding breast size is when you start having physical problems, such as backaches, neck pain, shortness of breath, migraine headaches, or difficulty in performing exercises.
Questions to ask your doctor
What is the treatment plan you recommend?
How many years of experience do you have in performing breast reduction surgery?
How will you prevent or reduce the risks of breast reduction?
Will I need hospitalization after surgery?
What type of anesthesia will be used for the procedure?
Do I have to worry about scarring after the surgery?
What kind of support will I need after breast reduction?
When do I need to follow up after the surgery?
Treatment Options & Cost
Some non-surgical or natural methods to reduce breast size include the following-
- Diet Changes- In most cases, breasts are composed of adipose tissues or fat. Thus, the first step to reducing the size is making dietary changes and cutting down the calorie intake.
- Exercise– Similar to diet changes, exercising can help to burn excess fat all over the body, including the breasts.
- Reduce Estrogen- Estrogen levels are generally higher in women who have a hormonal imbalance and are taking medications for it. They can increase the size of breasts temporarily. However, the effects will go away as soon as you stop taking the medicines.
- Minimizer Bras– This is not entirely a reduction method but using minimizer bras can create an illusion that you have smaller breasts. Some bras also come with supportive straps that will provide you relief from back and neck pain.
These methods are not as effective as surgery in reducing breast size.
Insurance coverageIn most cases, breast reduction is done for medical reasons. Hence, the surgery is covered under medical insurance. To get the claim from the insurance company, you will have to provide written proof from your doctor stating that the large size of your breast is causing you physical problems. The insurance provider will review the documentation and proofs and cover the surgery cost to the maximum extent. The coverage includes doctor’s fee, anesthesiologist fee, lab tests, hospitalization, medical consumables, etc.
In some scenarios, breast reduction is also performed for cosmetic reasons. If so, then the procedure cost won’t be covered under insurance. To learn more about the terms and conditions of your health insurance policy, it is advised that you talk to your providers.
Recovery rateThe average recovery time after breast reduction takes around 4 to 6 weeks. Throughout that period, the patient has to take extensive care of the body to get the expected results. The exact time may vary for each patient based on the overall health and the technique used.
Long term outlook of the treatment
A successful breast reduction surgery will provide permanent relief from the back, neck, and shoulder pain. It will also improve your ability to take part in physical activities.
The long-term effects of breast reduction depend on several factors, including the age at which the surgery is performed, future pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight gain/loss. For instance, if you get pregnant after having breast reduction surgery, the breast size may increase again and sagging may occur again over the years. This will alter the outcome of breast reduction.
Pristyn Care for the treament
Case Study
In Jan 2022, a patient (Sharon) came to us concerning the large size of her breasts that were causing physical discomfort and backache. Her breast size was 38DD and they sagged to a great extent. She wished to undergo breast reduction surgery. Dr. Sharad Mishra handled the case. She was overall healthy and had an ideal body mass index. The doctor ensured that she is an ideal candidate and then performed the surgery. Her size was reduced to 4 cups through the Inverted T technique. As Sharon was overall in good health, there were minimal risks and the surgery took around 2 hours to finish. She was discharged on the same day.
She is perfectly happy with her 34B breast size. She recovered quickly and now living a life without any type of back, neck, or shoulder pain.
Latest Research
Breast-reduction surgery takes off 11 kg from a woman’s chest
Woman’s ‘life-changing’ breast reduction after being denied surgery 10 times
A systematic review and meta-analysis of risks and benefits with breast reduction in the public healthcare system: priorities for further research
FAQ
In what scenario a plastic surgeon may not recommend breast reduction surgery?
The doctor may not recommend or postpone breast reduction surgery if you have future plans to get pregnant or have a child who is being breastfed. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding affect the shape and size of the breasts.
What are the advantages of breast reduction surgery?
When successful, a breast reduction surgery can provide relief from chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain. Other than that, the procedure has many advantages-
- Improvement of posture
- Minimal chances of skin irritation under the breast
- Increase self-image and boosts confidence
- Permit participation in physical activities
How should I prepare for recovery after the surgery?
Before you go for the surgery, it will be better to set up a recovery area at home that suits all your needs. To prepare the recovery area, follow the tips below-
- Keep a stock of all the prescribed medications, gauze, clean washcloth, and towels.
- Keep loose and comfortable clothes nearby.
- Have your favorite books, magazines, or movies nearby to keep you occupied while your physical activities are restricted.
When will I be able to resume regular activities?
You will need to rest for at least one week before resuming regular activities. The surgeon will advise taking the week off from work or school until the stitches dissolve and the bandages are removed. Strenuous activities, even jogging and running is restricted for at least a month after the surgery. The surgeon will prepare a timeline for you to ensure that you resume all activities at the right time.
Undergo Breast Reduction Surgery at Pristyn Care
Being a leading healthcare provider in India, Pristyn Care ensures that the patients get comprehensive care. We provide personalized care to the patients to fulfill their requirements. You can rely on us to undergo breast reduction surgery at cost-effective prices. We will also ensure that the quality of care is not compromised and you get all-inclusive care and services-
- Top-grade hospitals and clinics for breast reduction and other cosmetic procedures.
- A team of highly experienced plastic and cosmetic surgeons with proper knowledge and skills to carry out the procedure.
- Protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
- Complete assistance throughout the treatment journey.
- Assistance with insurance and hospital-related paperwork.
- Flexible payment options with No-Cost EMI availability.
- Commute service on the day of surgery without any additional fee.
- Follow-up appointments without any additional charges.
Our medical coordinators stay in touch with the patients to take care of all their needs.
Schedule Your Appointment with the Best Plastic Surgeons in India
Picking the best plastic surgeon for breast reduction is the key to making the surgery successful. That’s why Pristyn Care houses the most experienced and skilled team of plastic surgeons. You can get in touch with our top breast reduction surgeons by using any of the following ways-
- Give us a call on the number given at the top. Our medical coordinators will connect with you and schedule your consultation at your convenience.
- Fill out the information in the “Book Appointment” form and submit your details. Our representatives will get back to you shortly and confirm the appointment.
- Download the Pristyn Care app and explore the list of top breast reduction surgeons in your city to book an appointment.
Our surgeon will listen to your concerns and address them right away to make your life easy and comfortable.
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