WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE?

Women who are in good general health and who have disproportionately large sagging breasts are good candidates for reduction mammaplasty. If your breasts are not too large but are sagging, you may be a better candidate for a Mastopexy (Breast Lift) procedure rather than a reduction. This surgery is usually performed after the breasts are fully developed.

WHAT TO EXPECT

You will need to obtain a referral from your General Practitioner, regardless of whether surgery is performed for cosmetic or medical reasons.

Medical patients: If the procedure is performed for medical reasons, your surgery can attract Medicare rebates, and a percentage of your Surgeon’s, Anaesthetist’s and Hospital fees may then be claimed from both Medicare and your private health fund if you have cover. Medicare eligibility is based on suffering from significant neck or shoulder pain.

Medical patients only require one consultation with our Surgeon, where you will be assessed for suitability. The weight and size of your breast will be assessed and the distance from your collarbone to your nipple measured to assess the degree of sagging. If you have some idea of the bra size that you would like to be, mention this to your Surgeon so that an accurate picture of your expectations can be foreseen. Every patient has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape of breasts, so it is important to discuss this in full with the Doctor. You should also discuss where the nipple and areolar will be positioned. They will be moved higher during the procedure and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breasts. The size of the areolar can be reduced if required.
Be frank in your discussions remembering to mention any medications that you may be taking, especially if you are taking Aspirin or Aspirin related products as this may need to be ceased prior to surgery. A preoperative mammogram may be ordered to assess the quality of the breast tissue.

Following this consultation, you will be able to speak further with our Cosmetic Consultants, who are very experienced in the cosmetic field and discuss any issues with them.

Cosmetic patients: If performed for cosmetic reasons, you are required to have two consultations at our Practice. At the initial consultation, you will undertake an assessment for Body Dysmorphia, a condition causing intense focus, shame and anxiety over perceived body defects. At this appointment you will also be given the paperwork for your possible surgery and go through this with our practitioner, discussing the procedure and associated risks and recovery requirements. Be frank in your discussions and remember to mention any medications that you are taking and whether or not you are a smoker.

At your second consultation, our Surgeon will assess you for surgery. The weight and size of your breast will be assessed and the distance from your collarbone to your nipple measured to assess the degree of sagging. If you have some idea of the bra size that you would like to be, mention this to your Surgeon so that an accurate picture of your expectations can be foreseen. Every patient has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape of breasts, so it is important to discuss this in full with the Doctor. You should also discuss where the nipple and areolar will be positioned. They will be moved higher during the procedure and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breasts. The size of the areolar can be reduced if required.

Be frank in your discussions remembering to mention any medications that you may be taking, especially if you are taking Aspirin or Aspirin related products as this may need to be ceased prior to surgery. A preoperative mammogram may be ordered to assess the quality of the breast tissue.

Following this consultation, you can consult further with our Cosmetic Consultants who are very experienced in the cosmetic field and discuss any issues with them.

SURGERY

Breast Reduction requires a General Anaesthetic with a minimum of one night stay as an Inpatient in Hospital. You may prefer two or three nights in Hospital following this procedure. The surgery itself takes from two to three and a half hours.
Prior to the surgery, your Surgeon will mark your breasts with a surgical marker giving guidelines as to the best lines for the incision. Generally, incisions are made vertically and horizontally following the natural lines of the breast. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher location after the excess skin, fat and breast tissue is removed. When the nipple has been repositioned, the skin on both sides of the breast is moved down to form the new breast. The incisions are closed under the breast. Where the vertical and horizontal suture lines meet is called the “T Zone”.

RISK

All surgery carries some risk and uncertainty. It is impossible to predict every outcome because everyone is different. Breast Reduction is normally a safe procedure providing the clients have been carefully selected and the Surgeon is adequately trained in the procedure as well as having training in General Surgery.

Complications in the short term include infection, which is treated with antibiotics and dressings, and haematoma, or a collection of fluid under the skin which may need drainage.

Complications in the long term include wound breakdown from persistent infection, requiring continued antibiotics and dressings; thick or hypertrophic scar formation, which may require surgical revision or injections; loss of the nipple, requiring further grafting or nipple reconstruction; asymmetry; and some long-term loss of sensation of the nipple due to damage to the sensory nerves to that area.

AFTER SURGERY  – RECOVERY

Breast Reduction is invasive surgery and has a significant recovery timeframe and limitations and aftercare requirements. You will have an opportunity to discuss recovery expectations with your Surgeon at your Consultation and will receive detailed information prior to surgery in your Informed Consent paperwork.

You will need to organise a responsible adult carer to take care of you in the first three days following your Surgery. This person will need to take you home from the Hospital and assist you in traveling to and from your nursing appointments, as well as assist in your general care at home.

Follow-up care and wound checks are performed by our nursing staff at our rooms on a regular basis in the post-operative stage. You will have dressings on which will be kept in place for up to seven days and bandages which will be applied for the first 24-48 hours. You may also have a drain on each breast to collect excess fluid. These will all be assessed by our team and removed when appropriate. 

Pain may vary from mild to severe and will be managed by your Surgeon with pain relief. Swelling (which can be helped with application of ice packs), bruising and nausea is also likely.

After discharge from the Hospital, you will be required to attend our rooms on a regular basis for checking of dressings and removal of sutures. Sutures are generally removed at seven to ten days, however, this time may be extended depending on your individual case. You will need to continue wearing your support bra day and night for the first two weeks following surgery and then during the day for a further two weeks. You will find that it takes as long as six months for the breasts to fall into their new shape.

You can return to work approximately three to four weeks after your surgery, providing your occupation does not involve heavy lifting or excessive arm work. A gentle walking programme can be resumed as soon as you feel fit enough to do so. More strenuous exercise such as fast walking or running should not be recommenced for four to six weeks.