Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that involves removing excess breast tissue and skin to reduce the size and change the shape of your breasts. Large breasts can cause issues including back, shoulder and neck pain, chronic skin rashes, and shoulder grooves from bra straps, as well as limit physical activity.
Breast reduction surgery, also known as a mammaplasty, can help improve the side effects of large breast size, and improve the appearance or asymmetry.
The surgery takes between 2 to 3 hours and is performed under a general anaesthetic. The excess breast tissue that is removed is sent to a pathologist for analysis. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night. This surgery is not considered especially painful, and most women are taking simple analgesia like Paracetamol 2 to 3 days after surgery. We will need to see you in the rooms for bandage removal 2 to 3 days after your surgery, and for suture trimming after 1 week.
Breast reduction can be considered a medical procedure, not a cosmetic one, therefore Medicare and your health fund may contribute to some of the expense.
Breast Implants
Dr Kennedy no longer performs any surgery involving breast implants. He does not insert, remove or adjust breast prostheses.
Surgery Risks
All surgery is associated with risks and complications. Many of these are well known, including infection, bleeding, scarring, pain, and bruising. Less common issues can include asymmetry, ongoing pain from nerve irritation, loss of sensation, loss of movement because of nerve injury, and the possibility that revision surgery may be required. What can be an acceptable result to one patient can be a disappointment to another. All surgery requires a period of rest for safe recovery, however immobility can predispose to clots in the limbs and lungs.
Breast Reduction Surgery Risks
Breast reduction is a functional operation, not a cosmetic procedure. The scarring from breast reduction is considered to be poor compared to other plastic surgery procedures, but it is often well accepted because of the results for most patients after surgery, particularly pain relief.
Breast size cannot be accurately predicted before surgery, however an estimate can be made of the weight that will be removed.
Numbness of the nipple/areola affects up to 40 per cent of patients. The inferior part of the breast skin is always numb.
Infection is a particular problem with breast reduction, as it is normal for bacteria to live in the ducts that are divided during resection. Infection is treatable, but can affect the symmetry and shape of the breasts.
Although the breasts are lifted during a reduction, it is normal for them to still remain empty in the upper pole if they were before the operation.
Skin loss and even nipple loss can complicate the procedure, and is a particular problem for patients who smoke, have diabetes, or have a higher BMI.
Postoperative pain is likely to persist for weeks to months, but it can often be controlled with simple analgesia. Occasionally, severe pain intervenes and specialised pain therapy may be required.
Breastfeeding can be impacted by reduction. Breast size can increase with weight gain or hormonal changes.
Haematoma affects 3 to 5 per cent of patients, and may necessitate a return to theatre for a washout.