Many women complain about their large and heavy breasts but are afraid of considering surgery. Yet, breast surgery is a painless, quick, effective and rewarding surgery. Breast reduction surgery has many benefits, both physical and psychological, for patients with large breasts. Their quality of life is highly improved.
- Quick and painless surgery
- Reduction of breast size, mammary ptosis, breast asymmetry and deformities, if needed, at the same time
- Esthetic and functional benefits
- Your plastic surgeon will determine whether it is an esthetic or reconstructive surgery that may be covered by Social Security (if more than 300cc by breast is removed).
BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY OVERVIEW
This information sheet is issued by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, board-certified plastic surgeon in Paris, familiar with breast reduction surgery. It provides all the information about the surgery, scars, recovery, before and after comparison photographs, Social Security coverage and the costs of breast reduction surgery.
What is mammary hypertrophy?
Breast hypertrophy is the condition of having abnormally large breasts that are not in harmony and proportion to the patient’s overall figure. It is usually associated with drooping breasts, or mammary ptosis, and sometimes with a mammary asymmetry.
Mammary hypertrophy often has a psychological impact on patients who lack self-confidence. It may also cause considerable physical and functional problems and pain in the neck, back and shoulder. Physical activities, sport and even clothing fit may be issues for women with breast hypertrophy.
When can patients consider breast reduction surgery?
Patients may consider breast reduction surgery at any age, sometimes even as teenagers.
PRINCIPLES OF BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY
What’s the goal of breast reduction surgery?
The goal of breast reduction surgery is to reduce the size and the weight of heavy breasts but also to address ptosis and asymmetry, to create breasts more in proportion and harmony with the patient’s body (size, height and symmetry). The breasts are reduced but also uplifted and reshaped.
DESCRIPTION DES ÉTAPES D’INTERVENTIONS DE LA PTOSE MAMMAIRE
BEFORE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY:
- Two preoperative consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon will be conducted as well as a consultation with an anesthetist.
- You will get a mammography or/ and an ultrasound.
- Before and after comparison photographs will be taken.
- A post-surgical compression bra, wireless and front opening, will be prescribed.
- Preoperative instructions are as follow:
- Quit smoking at least one month before the surgery and up to 1 month after the surgery to avoid any complication or necrosis risk.
- Discontinue any anti-platelet or blood-thinning medication 15 days before the surgery.
BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY:
- Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
- The patient is in a sit-up position to create an optimal result.
- It lasts about 1h30 to 2 hours.
- Dr Vincent Nguyen uses the most advanced surgical techniques that avoid the use of drains and performs the surgery himself on both breasts.
The final result is visible after a year but the physical and functional change is immediate as soon as the first dressing is removed. Can I breastfeed after breast reduction surgery? For future pregnancies, breastfeeding may be possible but it depends on the amount of glandular tissue that was removed. It is advised to wait at least 6 months after the surgery before becoming pregnant.
AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY:
- Breast reduction surgery is not a painful procedure. Only light analgesics will be prescribed.
- Patients may go home the following day or even the same day.
- Swelling and bruising appear on the breasts the following days.
- No nursing care is required after the surgery.
- You may have a shower the following day but you can’t have a bath before a month after the surgery.
- As the sutures are made with absorbable material and are under the skin, you won’t need to have them removed.
- You will have to wear a compression bra for 6 weeks night and day to support the breasts and to alleviate tensions on the scars.
- Avoid sun on the scars for a year at least.
- Most patients may go back to work after 5 to 15 days depending on the nature of their job.
- You may resume physical activities after 6 weeks.
- Follow-up consultations with Dr Vincent Nguyen will be planned (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and a year after the surgery).
BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY: PRICE AND COSTS
- Part of this breast surgery may be covered by Social Security or some Health Insurance Companies in case of severe breast hypertrophy, mammary asymmetry or breast deformity.
The pathology must be confirmed by the Social Security Medical Advisor who delivers a prior agreement. - If more than 300cc of glandular tissue per chest is removed, Social Security and some health Insurance companies may cover part of the surgery.
- If 300cc or less of glandular tissue is removed, it is considered as esthetic surgery and there is no coverage by Social Security or health insurance.
- The costs may vary depending on the patient, on the type of associated ptosis, on the location of the surgery, on the length of the procedure and other related expenses. The costs may vary from …. To … (find all the costs on this website).
- Make sure to find a board-certified plastic surgeon expert in breast procedures, who will evaluate your needs and the amount of glandular tissue to be removed according to your expectations.
BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY FAQS
Where are the scars after breast reduction surgery?
The procedure involves 3 scars (see pictures):
- A scar around the areola
- A vertical scar
- A horizontal scar under the breast, hidden in the inframammary fold that may be shortened depending on the shape of the breast.
- It is called a T scar.
Can I breastfeed after breast reduction surgery?
In most cases patients may breastfeed. However, after a major reduction with severe ptosis, it may be difficult, even impossible, to breastfeed.
Does breast reduction surgery affect breast and nipple sensitivity?
The lower part of the breast may be hyposensitive or insensitive for a year after the surgery.
As far as the areola is concerned, it may not get its sensitivity back especially in cases of hypertrophy and severe ptosis.
