Breast reduction surgery has become significantly popular among women over the years. Whether it be for aesthetic reasons or to alleviate physical discomfort – namely back, neck, or shoulder pain – the decision to undergo this surgical procedure is a significant one. If you’re contemplating breast reduction surgery, Dr Lawrence Gray believes that there are some crucial aspects to ponder.
Your Body, Your Health
Before delving into the specifics of the surgery, you should get a clear understanding of your body and your health. The ability to heal from the surgery, the potential risks, and the expected outcomes are all closely tied to your overall health. A thorough discussion with your physician about your health history, any existing medical conditions, and lifestyle habits like smoking, which can affect wound healing, is essential.
Understanding the Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to get the right breast size in proportion with the body. Surgeons may also reduce the size of the areola—the darker skin around the nipple. Like any surgery, there are potential risks involved, including infection, bleeding, anesthesia risks, and a possibility of less-than-ideal aesthetic results.
Full recovery can take several weeks. During this period, you may need to wear specific supportive garments and limit certain physical activities. And though this operation will effectively help reduce breast size, it’s very crucial to have a clear and realistic understanding of the cosmetic outcomes, including potential scarring and changes to nipple sensation.
Long-Term Implications Of Breast Reduction
If you plan to breastfeed, you should first discuss this with the surgeon. While many women can breastfeed after a reduction, the procedure could potentially affect your ability to do so. Breast reduction surgery does not ordinarily affect mammograms – however, it’s pertinent to discuss this with your doctor as well.
Substantial weight fluctuations after surgery can affect the results. Dr Lawrence Gray It’s essential to be at a stable weight before undergoing the procedure. Lastly, you must remember aging will cause some degree of sagging with or without breast reduction.
