Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure used to remove
excess fat, tissue and skin from the breasts.
The patient/person usually comes to the attending surgeon with

• Fat aspirated from patient body and transferred to buttock 
• Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain that requires pain medications
• Chronic rash or skin irritation under the breasts
  
• Nerve pain
  
• Restricted activity
  
• Poor self-image related to large breasts
  
• Difficulty fitting into bras and clothing

While many patients choose breast reduction to alleviate physical symptoms , the cosmetic benefits
of breast reduction should not be overlooked.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
1. Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?
Any woman in good health who feels that her breasts are too large for her body is a good candidate
for a breast reduction.
2. Where are the incisions made, and are there any visible breast reduction scars?
The incisions are either made around the nipple and down the inferior part of the breast, or around
the nipple, down the breast, and under the breast in an “anchor” pattern. There will always be
visible scars following surgery, however with time they are less conspicuous.
3. Are the results from breast reduction surgery permanent?
Yes, your results are permanent unless you go through a major weight gain or become pregnant.
4. Should I wait to have a breast reduction until after childbirth?
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age — sometimes even as a teenager. But if your
breasts aren’t yet fully developed, you might need a second surgery later in life.
You might postpone breast reduction surgery if you have certain future plans, such as:
Childbirth: If you haven’t started a family or your family isn’t yet complete, you might wait
until pregnancy isn’t an issue. Breast-feeding might be challenging after breast reduction
surgery — although certain surgical techniques can help preserve your ability to breast-feed.

Weight loss: If you are interested in losing weight by changing your diet and starting an
exercise program, you might wait to decide if reduction mammoplasty is for you. Losing
weight can often result in changes to your breast size.

5. Are there different types of breast reduction procedures?
The type of breast reduction is determined by how the incisions are placed on the breast and how
the blood supply to the nipple is maintained. Each procedure has its pros and cons.
6. How long does it take to get back to my normal activities after breast reduction surgery?
Most patients are able to return to normal activities within several days following surgery. Exercise
and sexual activity should be limited for 2 weeks following surgery.
7. How long is the surgery?
On average, the surgery takes 2-4 hours.
8. Will I need to stay in the hospital?
The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia and requires admission into the hospital for
a night stay.

 

Written by : Dr. Fazlur Rahman
Copyrights: Pakistan association of Plastic Surgeons