What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is a procedure designed for women whose breasts are disproportionately large, aiming to create a smaller, firmer, and more balanced shape. Beyond its aesthetic benefits, it can also help address issues such as breast asymmetry, sagging, and physical discomfort including back or neck pain. Many women choose this surgery not only for the improvement in appearance but also for the relief it brings in everyday life—a fact often reflected in before-and-after photos, which clearly show the positive transformation.
What Are the Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery?
Like any surgical procedure, breast reduction carries certain risks, including infection, bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, scarring, asymmetry, or—in rare cases—loss of the nipple. When performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon, these risks are greatly reduced. Temporary effects such as swelling, bruising, soreness, or general discomfort are common in the early recovery period and usually subside as healing progresses.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is a procedure designed for women whose breasts are disproportionately large, aiming to create a smaller, firmer, and more balanced shape. Beyond its aesthetic benefits, it can also help address issues such as breast asymmetry, sagging, and physical discomfort including back or neck pain. Many women choose this surgery not only for the improvement in appearance but also for the relief it brings in everyday life—a fact often reflected in before-and-after photos, which clearly show the positive transformation.
What Are the Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery?
Like any surgical procedure, breast reduction carries certain risks, including infection, bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, scarring, asymmetry, or—in rare cases—loss of the nipple. When performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon, these risks are greatly reduced. Temporary effects such as swelling, bruising, soreness, or general discomfort are common in the early recovery period and usually subside as healing progresses.
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Post-Operative Care After Breast Reduction Surgery
After breast reduction surgery, patients may need prescribed pain medication to manage discomfort in the first few days. Your surgeon will provide detailed aftercare instructions, which often include:
- Sleeping on your back to avoid pressure on the breasts
- Avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities
- Wearing a supportive surgical bra to aid healing and reduce swelling
Following these guidelines is key to a smooth recovery and optimal results.
Who Should Consider Breast Reduction Surgery?
This procedure is recommended for women who experience physical discomfort or limitations due to large breasts—such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, sagging, difficulty finding suitable clothing, or discomfort during exercise.
Eligibility is determined after a thorough evaluation of factors like overall health, age, breast size, medical history, and examination results. Common pre-operative tests may include blood work, ECG, chest X-ray, and mammography to ensure the patient is fit for surgery.
Women with large breasts that interfere with daily life or cause chronic pain are often good candidates. However, certain conditions—such as advanced age, obesity, smoking, or chronic illnesses—may increase surgical risks, making an individualized assessment essential before proceeding.
Eligibility is determined after a thorough evaluation of factors like overall health, age, breast size, medical history, and examination results. Common pre-operative tests may include blood work, ECG, chest X-ray, and mammography to ensure the patient is fit for surgery.
Women with large breasts that interfere with daily life or cause chronic pain are often good candidates. However, certain conditions—such as advanced age, obesity, smoking, or chronic illnesses—may increase surgical risks, making an individualized assessment essential before proceeding.
When Does Swelling Go Down After Breast Reduction Surgery?
Some swelling is expected after breast reduction surgery. It usually begins to subside within the first one to two weeks, though it may take several months to completely disappear. Following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions and allowing your body adequate rest can help speed the process. As the swelling decreases, most patients find it easier to return to their normal daily activities.
Sleeping Position After Breast Reduction Surgery
Proper sleeping posture is important during recovery. For the first few days, you should sleep on your back, with your head supported by pillows to keep your upper body slightly elevated. This position helps reduce swelling and promotes healing. After about a week, you can gradually transition to sleeping on your side if your surgeon approves.
Recovery Timeline for Breast Reduction Surgery
Recovery time varies depending on your overall health, age, the complexity of the surgery, and how much breast tissue was removed. Most patients can resume normal activities within two to four weeks, but it’s important to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting until your surgeon confirms it’s safe. While the majority of swelling and discomfort improves in the first few weeks, full recovery can take several months.
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EBOPRAS approved plastic surgeon MD. Güray Yeşiladalı is also a member of ISAPS and ASAPS.
Minimum Age for Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction can be performed once breast development is complete, which is why it’s generally recommended after the age of 18. However, in cases where excessively large breasts cause significant physical discomfort, teenage patients may also be considered for surgery. In such situations, a pediatrician or adolescent medicine specialist should be involved in the evaluation to ensure the timing is appropriate.
Does Breast Reduction Surgery Affect Breast Cancer Risk?
Breast reduction surgery does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. In patients who already have breast cancer, it’s essential that any cancerous tissue is completely removed during the procedure. Regular breast health screenings should continue as advised by your doctor.
Does Breast Reduction Surgery Affect Breast Cancer Risk?
Breast reduction surgery is not known to cause breast cancer. However, for patients at higher risk, it’s important to preserve enough breast tissue to ensure that screening methods—such as mammography or ultrasound—remain effective for early detection. For this reason, women with an elevated risk should consult a breast specialist before undergoing the procedure.
While breast reduction is not a treatment for breast cancer, it can sometimes be performed at the same time as the removal of breast tissue in patients who have already been diagnosed. If you have concerns about breast cancer risk, discussing them with your doctor before surgery is essential.
While breast reduction is not a treatment for breast cancer, it can sometimes be performed at the same time as the removal of breast tissue in patients who have already been diagnosed. If you have concerns about breast cancer risk, discussing them with your doctor before surgery is essential.
Can I Have an Ultrasound or Mammogram After Breast Reduction?
Yes. After breast reduction surgery, changes in breast tissue may make imaging necessary. It’s generally recommended to wait at least six months before having a mammogram, though in some cases your doctor may suggest a longer interval.
Mammography and ultrasound remain essential tools for the early detection of breast cancer. Following surgery, these scans can also help assess the healing process and evaluate the success of the procedure.
That said, breast reduction can sometimes make imaging more challenging to interpret, and results may occasionally be less clear. For this reason, it’s important to inform your radiologist about your surgery and promptly see your doctor if you notice any new discomfort, lumps, or changes in the breast.
Mammography and ultrasound remain essential tools for the early detection of breast cancer. Following surgery, these scans can also help assess the healing process and evaluate the success of the procedure.
That said, breast reduction can sometimes make imaging more challenging to interpret, and results may occasionally be less clear. For this reason, it’s important to inform your radiologist about your surgery and promptly see your doctor if you notice any new discomfort, lumps, or changes in the breast.
Will My Breasts Return to Their Original Size If I Give Birth After Breast Reduction?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery can influence the long-term results. During pregnancy, hormonal changes may cause breast tissue to expand again, which can partially alter the surgical outcome. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your breasts will return to their pre-surgery size or shape.
Similarly, breastfeeding can also lead to some enlargement and changes in breast tissue. Since every woman’s body responds differently, it’s impossible to predict exactly how the breasts will look after pregnancy.
If you’re planning to have children after the surgery, it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon in advance. They can explain how pregnancy and breastfeeding may affect your results and what options might be available for reshaping the breasts afterward if needed.
Similarly, breastfeeding can also lead to some enlargement and changes in breast tissue. Since every woman’s body responds differently, it’s impossible to predict exactly how the breasts will look after pregnancy.
If you’re planning to have children after the surgery, it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon in advance. They can explain how pregnancy and breastfeeding may affect your results and what options might be available for reshaping the breasts afterward if needed.
How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Take?
The duration of a breast reduction procedure varies depending on factors such as breast size, the surgical technique used, and the patient’s anatomy. On average, the surgery lasts between 2 and 4 hours, but in some cases it can take longer.
The length of the operation is influenced by:
- The size and shape of the breasts
- The type and extent of incisions
- The patient’s individual body structure
- The technology and surgical equipment used
- The surgeon’s experience and technique
Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, the priority is safety and achieving the desired size and contour. Your surgeon will provide a clear estimate of the expected operation time during your consultation.
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EBOPRAS approved plastic surgeon MD. Güray Yeşiladalı is also a member of ISAPS and ASAPS.