Many women, from teenagers onwards, suffer from very large weighty breasts, disproportionate to their bodies. These are not only pendulous and unseemly but can cause ongoing irritation and notching from bra straps, limit what they can wear and restrict participation in exercise and sports.
More than an inconvenience, large breasts also pose a health risk. Extremely large breasts can lead to back and neck pain, skin infections, dermatitis, and in some cases can worsen breathing issues like asthma.
Breast Reduction surgery
Breast reduction surgery (also known as reduction mammoplasty) performed by Dr Verma helps to reduce the volume of breasts, making them lighter, firmer and more proportionate to your body. At the same time, this procedure improves breast shape by restoring the breast to a more natural position on the chest wall.
The procedure involves removal of fat, glandular tissues and skin from the breast. The areola is also reduced and relocated to suit the size and shape of your new breasts.
After this procedure patients experience relief from shoulder, neck and back pain. They also benefit from being able to comfortably and confidently wear clothes, being able to be more active and participate in sports, and can take satisfaction in having proportional breasts.
Breast Reduction Surgery Quick Summary
What is breast reduction surgery: Breast reduction surgery involves removal of fat, glandular tissue, and skin as well as reduction and relocation of the areola to give smaller, lighter, firmer, well-positioned breasts of a more natural shape.
Where is it done: Your breast reduction surgery will be performed at the brand-new Honeysuckle Day Hospital in Newcastle, a fully licensed and accredited day hospital which specializes in cosmetic surgery.
Length of Surgery: Usually between 2-4 hrs. Maybe longer depending on which technique is used (see below) and complexity of the surgery.
Type of anaesthesia: General Anaesthesia.
Day surgery or inpatient stay: Day Surgery.
Approximate Cost: Varies according to type, complexity, and length of the procedure. You will receive a quote with a cost of the procedure after your consultation with Dr. Verma, tailored to you.
Not sure if Breast reduction surgery is right for you? Maybe you feel more than one type of cosmetic surgery may be required?
We advise booking a consultation with Dr. Verma. With his expertise and commitment to achieving the best results for you, together you can create a personalized treatment plan involving both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments specially tailored to the look you would like to achieve. Call (02) 4001 0511 to talk to our friendly staff and book a consultation with Dr. Verma.
Please also see our list of general FAQs for more details
FAQS
The breast reduction consultation
Do I qualify for breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction can be performed on women after the age of 18 who are at their ideal weight, as significant weight loss or weight gain after surgery can alter the results of the breast reduction surgery. Although each case is considered individually, it is generally recommended that women wait until breast development, childbirth and breastfeeding have finished before undertaking breast reduction surgery. You need to be in good general physical and mental health to undergo surgery and ideally be a non-smoker or amenable to quitting pre-operatively.
Who is a good candidate for breast reduction surgery?
The ideal candidate is someone who has realistic expectations of what surgery can achieve and is undergoing surgery for themselves and not for anyone else (eg. pressure from partners or family, undergoing surgery to salvage a relationship or try to procure or keep a job). It is important to understand that cosmetic surgery performed by Dr. Verma is done with finesse, with the aim of giving a subtle but noticeable natural and elegant look.
What to expect during the consultation?
No two women are the same. After taking a general medical history and examining the chest, Dr. Verma will discuss your concerns with you. He will then suggest a procedure or procedures specifically tailored to address these issues, giving you a balanced and natural look.
Please note that Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your chest during a consultation. Photography is vital in the cosmetic surgery experience and allows Dr. Verma to document and share with you your progress pre- and post-operatively. Sometimes these photographs will be uploaded onto our website. The images are de-identified, with birthmarks, tattoos and other identifying features removed. The images are not altered any other way, in order to give a true representation of the likely results. Such ‘Before-After’ images help other potential patients like yourself to decide whether this is the right procedure for them.
Generally, the consultation is your opportunity to ask Dr. Verma any questions or clear any concerns you may have regarding breast reduction surgery.
What is the cost of breast reduction? What is included?
Cost of breast reduction surgery depends on the length and complexity of the surgery. After the consultation, once you have decided you are interested in undergoing surgery, you will receive a quote for the cost of the surgery. This price includes Dr Verma’s fees (Proceduralist fees) and the cost of follow up visits up to 3 months post-surgery. It does not include hospital and anaesthetist costs but an estimate of such costs can be provided on request.
Breast Reduction Procedure
How is breast reduction surgery performed? Are there different techniques?
Breast reduction techniques vary depending on the existing breast tissue, need for future breastfeeding and the desired outcomes. Dr. Verma most commonly uses a ‘short vertical scar’ approach which is a small incision that extends around the edge of the areola and down the midline underneath the breast. In rare cases requiring a more extensive removal of tissue (in extremely large breasts), there may be an additional incision in the crease underneath the breast.
Where will the incisions/scars be?
The incisions vary with the surgical technique used. Please see above. These incisions generally fade to form faint white scars, although the degree of fading varies depending on how your skin tends to heal and form scars.
What type of Anaesthesia will be used?
The type of anaesthesia used is general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation. Sometimes local anaesthesia can be injected into the site of surgery, giving you better pain relief upon waking.
What are the side effects of breast reduction surgery?
Temporary bruising and swelling, numbness of the areola, are normal in breast reduction patients. The majority of such symptoms resolve within a month after the operation.
What are the risks and complications of breast reduction surgery?
With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved and most problems are easily treated and settle with time. Generally speaking, cosmetic surgery is quite safe as it is sought by healthy and fit individuals seeking improvement in the appearance.
General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring. There are also risks and complications specific to breast reduction such asymmetric breasts, loss of nipple sensation (which is usually temporary but in rare cases can be permanent) and reduced ability to breastfeed (see below). Sometimes a thin plastic tube may need to be inserted into the area that has been operated on. These tubes drain any blood and secretions that accumulate under the skin after surgery and help to promote healing. Whether these drains are inserted or not is decided on a case-by-case basis, but generally, they are reserved for those requiring extensive surgery.
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on your smoking and general health status, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss major risks and complications with you during a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.
Recovery after Breast Reduction Surgery
Care of your breasts and wounds
You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to care of your sutures, wounds etc. Any sutures are usually removed in 10 days. After breast reduction surgery you will need to wear a ‘post-op garment’. This is a snug fabric garment for your chest to be worn after surgery. It reduces swelling and bruising after surgery, helping to minimize pain and achieve better-looking results.
Downtime
Returning to work usually takes 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity (such as lifting, straining, pushing, exercise beyond a light walk) should be strictly avoided for 4-6 weeks. Most of the bruising and swelling can take a month or more to resolve.
When will you see results?
Results will be visible after your tissues heal when most of the swelling and bruising subside which may take up to a month or more. Thus, being patient and optimistic is key to recovery after breast reduction surgery.
What will be your follow up schedule?
Dr. Verma will see you one week post the operation and then organize subsequent follow-ups according to how you recover. All follow-up visit costs up to three months after the operation are included in the cost of the surgery. Revision surgery for any complications carries an extra charge.
Similar to your consultation visit (see above), Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your breasts in order to document its healing during follow up visits.
How long do the effects of Breast reduction last for?
Usually permanent but breast shape can change with aging, weight change, hormonal changes, pregnancy and breastfeeding and may require surgical revision. Hence it is advised that you undergo breast reduction when you are at your ideal weight, after having finished having and breastfeeding your children.
Can I breastfeed after breast reduction?
As nipple and areola remain attached to the underlying breast milk producing tissue during and after surgery, breastfeeding is not usually affected but there is still a possibility. Therefore, we recommend undergoing surgery after finishing breastfeeding your children.