Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a highly effective procedure designed to alleviate various physical and emotional burdens associated with overly large breasts. For many women, large breasts can cause discomfort, pain, and even hinder daily activities. During breast reduction surgery, excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed, resulting in a smaller, more proportionate breast size that aligns with your body. This surgery not only improves breast aesthetics but also enhances overall comfort and quality of life. By achieving a more balanced and manageable breast size, patients can often experience relief from chronic pain, including back, neck, and shoulder pain, and can participate in physical activities with greater ease. Your breast reduction journey typically begins with a consultation, where Dr. Saam Tourani will discuss your goals and provide detailed information about the surgery. He'll review your medical history to ensure you're a suitable candidate and outline the breast reduction surgery process, from initial anaesthesia to the closing of incisions and scar management following your surgery. Every step is meticulously planned to ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery.
Breast reduction is performed under general anaesthesia, allowing patients to remain comfortable throughout the procedure. The surgery may involve liposuction to remove excess fat, while incisions are strategically placed to minimize scarring. Post-surgery, patients are monitored closely to ensure a safe recovery, with follow-up appointments scheduled to track healing.
If you're seeking relief from the physical and emotional strain caused by large breasts, breast reduction surgery can be a life-changing solution. Dr. Tourani and his dedicated team are here to support you through every step of your journey, providing expert care and comprehensive information to help you make informed decisions. Discover how breast reduction surgery can transform your life and enable you to embrace newfound confidence and comfort.
Why Breast Reduction is Performed
Pre (top left) and 1 year post (top right and bottom) bilateral breast reduction.
Breast reduction is performed for a variety of important reasons, primarily to alleviate physical and emotional discomfort caused by overly large breasts. Many patients choose breast reduction surgery to enhance their quality of life and achieve a more balanced body proportion. Large breasts can lead to various health issues such as chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain. Breast reduction can significantly improve these health problems, allowing people to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Another crucial reason for seeking breast reductions is the alleviation of skin irritation and rashes that often occur underneath the breasts. Reduction mammoplasty can greatly reduce these uncomfortable symptoms. Furthermore, patients frequently undergo breast reduction for aesthetic reasons, aiming to achieve a breast size that aligns better with their body frame and self-image. Breast reduction can also improve posture, reduce bra strap grooving and eliminate difficulties in finding well-fitting clothing. For athletes and active individuals, this surgery often means better performance and increased comfort during physical activities. Social and psychological benefits are also significant. Many patients report heightened confidence and self-esteem after surgery. Reduced breast size often alleviates feelings of self-consciousness, allowing women to engage more comfortably in social and professional settings. By undergoing breast reduction, individuals can foster a healthier relationship with their body and contribute positively to their overall mental health.
Pre (top left) and 1 year post (top right and bottom) bilateral breast reduction for left breast cancer.
Moreover, breast reduction may be combined with lumpectomy for breast cancer to achieve a better cosmetic outcome and allow for breast conservation for much larger cancers that were traditionally treated with mastectomy (see our blog on Modern Breast Conservative Surgery). As a high-volume oncoplastic breast surgeon, Dr Tourani, understands the multifaceted benefits of breast reduction and works passionately to ensure each patient receives personalised care they desire. It’s essential to acknowledge that breast reduction surgery is not a cosmetic procedure but a life-changing intervention for many. As our patients can attest, the transformative impact of this surgery extends far beyond physical changes, contributing to better health and improved well-being. Dr Tourani is committed to providing comprehensive support throughout your journey, ensuring you achieve the excellent results you deserve in your reduction surgery.
Preparations for Breast Reduction Surgery
Undergoing breast reduction surgery is a critical decision that requires proper preparations to ensure the best possible outcomes. Dr Tourani places a great emphasis on comprehensive preoperative consultations so that each patient is well-informed and confident about their reduction surgery. Before having breast reduction, your thorough consultation with Dr. Tourani will cover various aspects of the procedure. During your consultation, you'll discuss your medical history, expectations, and goals. This is an essential part of preparing for your breast reduction surgery. Dr. Tourani will guide you on what adjustments are necessary in the months leading up to your surgery. This may include stopping certain medications or supplements that could affect healing. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and maintaining a stable weight are encouraged, as these can significantly impact your surgery and recovery.
Your physical preparation also plays a key role. For an effective breast reduction surgery, the health of your skin matters. Keeping your skin moisturized and in good condition is crucial. If your skin is healthy, it will heal better following surgery. You'll also need to arrange for a support system following reduction surgery. Having someone to assist you in the initial days after your surgery can make your recovery smoother and less stressful.
Ensuring your home environment is conducive to recovery is another vital step. Preparing a comfortable recovery space with necessary supplies will help ease your post-surgery experience. Dr. Tourani will provide detailed instructions and guidance on what to expect and how to prepare for your reduction surgery. Following these guidelines and maintaining close communication with your surgeon will optimize your results and enhance your overall experience.
What to Expect During Breast Reduction Surgery
When you decide to undergo breast reduction, it's natural to be curious about what the procedure entails. During your preoperative consultation, Dr. Tourani will thoroughly discuss your goals, answer questions, and show you before-and-after photos of past patients. This consultation will help set realistic expectations for the surgery. On the day of the surgery, Dr Tourani will mark up nipple and areolar position and planned incisions and answer any final questions you may have. You'll then meet your anaesthetist who will take you through general anaesthesia and postoperative pain management in detail.
Inverted T or anchor scar is the most common type of incision used for breast reduction.
You are then taken to the operating theatre where general anaesthesia is administered, your position on the operating table adjusted, and final mark-up by Dr Tourani is performed. He will then make precise incisions based on the surgical plan tailored to your anatomy and desired outcomes. The breast tissue is carefully reduced, lifted, and reshaped to create a balanced and proportionate appearance. Liposuction may also be employed during the procedure to remove excess fat, helping to achieve the best possible results. Once the reduction surgery is complete, the incisions will be temporarily closed with staples, and you will be sat up to check for symmetry and any final adjustments that may be required. Finally, the incisions are meticulously closed with sutures, and surgical dressings will be applied. The entire procedure generally lasts between two to four hours, depending on the complexity and the extent of the reduction needed. You will often have a drain tube on each side to allow drainage of fluid and small amount of blood oozing from capillary vessels. The drains are removed on day one after surgery and you are fitted in your post-surgery bra. Most patients can be discharged home on day one after surgery. It's crucial to have a friend or family member drive you home and stay with you for the initial recovery period. We ask you to leave the dressing intact till your review with Dr Tourani which is generally in two weeks. You can shower and tap dry, but bathing is not advised. At your first review, the dressing will be removed and wounds checked for healing. The sutures are dissolvable; however, a few external knots will be removed, and the wounds will be retaped for best aesthetic outcome. Dr Tourani will then advise you on your subsequent scar management regimen. The final outcome of your breast reduction surgery is often not apparent till 6-months following your operation. You will meet again with Dr Tourani at this point to check for contour and symmetry and discuss any cosmetic concerns you may have. Your final follow-up appointment will be at one-year following operation when we expect the scars are mostly matured. Remember, each patient’s experience is unique but knowing what to expect can make the entire process more manageable and less stressful.
Cost of Breast Reduction Surgery
The cost of breast reduction surgery can vary based on several factors including the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s experience, and your health insurance cover. Bilateral breast reduction in most cases is covered by Medicare item 45523. If your private health insurance covers this item number your hospitals costs will be covered (minus the agreed excess on your policy). However, you will still have significant out-of-pocket costs for your surgeon, assistant surgeon, and the anaesthetist. If you are not insured, we can request a self-funded quote from the hospital which will be payable upon your admission in addition to the above doctors’ fees.
Following your consultation with Dr Tourani, our team remains committed to transparent communication ensuring patients understand every aspect of their financial obligation before proceeding with the surgery. You will be provided with an informed financial consent detailing the upfront costs and estimated rebate from your private health insurance/Medicare. Dr Tourani’s quote will include the cost of all your subsequent follow-up appointments and his fees for any revision surgery that may be required.
Potential Risks and Complications of Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction like any other surgery can be associated with minor or major complications. Undergoing breast reduction surgery with Dr Tourani’s experienced team will ensure minimal complications and more importantly early recognition and appropriate management of those complications should they occur. Below is a list of complications following breast reduction with an indication of their relative frequencies:
Infection (rare)
Bleeding and hematoma (rare)
Changes in nipple or breast sensation (common)
Nipple loss (rare)
Difficulty breastfeeding (depends on the technique, discuss with your surgeon)
Allergic reactions to anaesthesia (rare)
Keloid and hypertrophic scars (depends on your skin type)
Delayed wound healing (rare)
Breast asymmetry (gross asymmetry is rare, however very subtle asymmetries maybe unavoidable)
Possible need for revision surgery (rare)
DVT/PE (blood clots in the legs/lungs, rare)