Breast Reduction Mammoplasty Sydney
A breast reduction mammoplasty can reduce the size of overly large breasts for multiple reasons, including alleviating neck and back pain, reducing posture issues, improving comfort when exercising and for aesthetic reasons.
The weight of large breasts can put a strain on the neck and back, causing pain and posture concerns. Large breasts that are out of proportion with the patient’s body shape can also cause discomfort when exercising. The skin underneath the breasts can also become irritated, and patients may experience complications such as skin infections. Aesthetically, a breast reduction can address the shape of the breasts, symmetry, and the size and position of the nipples and areola.
Before & After Breast Reduction
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise. Some images may have the patient’s tattoos, jewellery or other identifiable items blurred to protect patient identities.
Your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney
What makes a suitable candidate.
It’s important to ensure that you’re a suitable breast reduction candidate to manage expectations and reduce associated risks. Those seeking a breast reduction want to reduce the size of overly large breasts due to either aesthetic reasons or health-related concerns. Candidates may want to address back and neck pain, posture issues, skin irritation underneath the breasts, difficulty exercising, or general discomfort caused by large breasts. Suitable candidates should be in good general health, at a stable and healthy body weight, have realistic expectations for the procedure results, and be prepared to follow pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions. In some cases, candidates may be advised to lose weight, quit smoking or make other necessary lifestyle adjustments before being considered as suitable for a breast reduction.The details of your individualised procedure.
After discussing your personal reasons for undergoing the procedure and your expected results, Dr Hunt can discuss the details of your breast reduction. This can include the chosen techniques that will be used, where you can expect incisions to be placed and the estimated total procedure time. Discussing the details of your procedure plan will help you to understand how your results may look, what may be involved during recovery and how you may need to prepare for the procedure.Preparing for surgery.
In preparation for a breast reduction, you may need to stop taking certain medications and supplements, such as those that can have blood-thinning effects, as taking these can raise surgery risks. If you are a smoker, you’ll likely be instructed to quit for a set period of time before the procedure. In the days or weeks leading up to surgery, you may be advised to avoid alcohol, stay hydrated and follow a healthy lifestyle. You might be advised to undergo pre-operative tests to help determine your suitability for the procedure. Following preparation instructions is important to reduce complications during and after the procedure.Recovering from surgery.
You will receive recovery instructions that are tailored to your personal case. Your recovery instructions will help to minimise post-surgical risks, including highly visible scarring. You will likely be instructed to avoid strenuous exercise, slowly resume your daily routine, follow instructions to care for incision sites and wear a compression garment. Depending on the level of physical demand involved in your work, you will be advised to take a certain amount of time off. Discussing these instructions during your consultation will give you time to prepare for your recovery.The possible risks and complications.
Before agreeing to undergo a breast reduction mammoplasty, you will need to be informed of the possible risks and complications involved. Assessing your personal health and lifestyle factors, you will also be able to discuss your personal risk level and determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. You’ll discuss how the risks and complications of a breast reduction are minimised and prevented during the preparation and recovery process, as well as during the procedure.The costs of your surgery.
With a clearer idea of what your breast reduction will involve, Dr Hunt can provide you with cost information. Patients may qualify for a Medicare rebate if a breast reduction is performed for medical reasons, such as to address concerns with pain, posture or skin conditions. Those with health insurance may also qualify for coverage. You will be able to discuss the details of your costs and the possibility of Medicare and health insurance coverage during your consultation.
The Breast Reduction Procedure
After a thorough consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney, you will be informed of the personalised steps of your breast reduction mammoplasty procedure, including the incision technique that will be used and the total procedure time.
To tailor the surgery to meet each patient’s needs, the procedure’s details can vary per patient. A breast reduction can be performed using a variety of techniques. These techniques can be chosen based on personal factors such as age, skin laxity, breast size and expected results.
Breast reductions are performed under general anaesthesia and can take up to three hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Breast Reduction options
Step
Anchor incision
An anchor incision pattern involves three incisions: one around the areola, a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold (crease under the breast), and a horizontal incision along the inframammary fold. The resulting scar is shaped like an anchor or inverted TStep
Vertical or lollipop incision
This incision pattern involves two incisions: one around the areola and a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold. It results in a scar shaped like a lollipop.Step
Periareolar or incision
The periareolar incision involves a circular incision around the areola. It is suitable for patients with smaller reductions or requiring minimal skin removal. The scar is limited to the border of the areola.
During the procedure, the skin tissue is detached from the mammary gland and the excess glandular tissue is extracted. The amount of tissue that will be extracted will depend on the patient’s breast size and the level of reduction that will be aimed for. Once excess tissue has been extracted, the remaining tissue will be repositioned and re-centred before the skin is draped over the glandular tissue. Excess skin will also be removed. To complete the procedure, the incisions are sutured closed. Bandages will be placed over the closed incisions.
Some procedures may include other interventions, such as liposuction to remove excess fat pockets. This will depend on the needs of each patient and will be discussed in detail during the consultation.
After the procedure, patients will be closely monitored before being able to return home to complete their recovery. Patients will need to be picked up from the hospital as driving won’t be possible in the earlier stages of recovery due to the effects of anaesthesia.
Recovery information and steps
What to expect
As for an expected recovery timeline, the time it will take for the body to heal will depend on the complexity of the procedure. It’s normal for the breasts to be bruised and swollen after surgery. Bruising and swelling can last from days to weeks. A compression garment will help to reduce swelling. It’s normal to experience pain and discomfort after a breast reduction. You may be prescribed pain medication to help manage.
During the first two weeks of recovery, you will be instructed to avoid strenuous exercise. Heavy lifting and intense workouts are generally recommended to be resumed after about four to six weeks, depending on the progress of your healing at this time. You’ll be advised to resume your daily routine slowly, ensuring that your body won’t be pushed past its limits. The amount of time that you’ll need to take off from work will depend on how physically demanding your job will be. Some patients may only be required to take one to two weeks away from work, while others may need longer.
Scarring is an inevitable part of surgery. As the body heals, scarring can slowly fade over time, becoming less noticeable. The chosen incision pattern used for your procedure will determine the placement and appearance of scarring.
As for being able to see your final results, patients can generally see results after about three months. Swelling and bruising will need to have sufficiently subsided to allow the final results to show. Sometimes, the final results can take up to one year to become completely visible.
General recovery instructions
Your personalised instructions may have slightly different steps in order to be tailored to your personal needs and the details of your procedure. Your instructions will be designed to reduce post-surgery risks and prevent complications, so it’s important to follow them closely. Be sure to ask Dr Hunt any questions if you need clarification on any instructions.Common recovery instructions after a breast reduction mammoplasty can include to:
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least two weeks
- Quit smoking for at least two weeks
- Avoid alcohol for at least two weeks
- Avoid heavy lifting for four to six weeks
- Avoid stretching activities for about six weeks
- Avoid sun exposure
- Avoid excessive heat exposure, such as saunas and steam rooms
- Sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the breasts
- Avoid intense upper body movements
- Wear a compression bra/garment as instructed
- Keep incisions clean and dry
- Change bandages as instructed
Costs of a Breast Reduction in Sydney
Due to the highly personalised nature of breast reduction mammoplasty procedures, you’ll only be able to receive a cost estimate during a consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney.
Procedure costs can vary based on the complexity of the procedure, the total procedure time and whether or not other techniques will be implemented, such as liposuction.
Your costs will cover:
- Surgeon’s fees
- Anaesthetists fees
- Hospital fees
- Fees required during aftercare
Medicare and health insurance
If a breast reduction is performed for health reasons, such as to address:
- Neck, back or shoulder pain
- Posture concerns
- Skin conditions
- Other health-related concerns caused by the breas
A patient may be eligible for a Medicare rebate, meaning that some of the procedure costs can be claimed. During your consultation, Dr Hunt will explain the details of Medicare rebates, including the requirements that must be met.
Patients may also be eligible for cover from health insurance. This will depend on the patient’s health insurance details and personal case.
In contrast, if a breast reduction is performed for purely aesthetic purposes, the patient will not be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Combining procedures
Some patients may wish to combine a breast reduction with other procedures, which will influence total costs. A breast reduction may be performed in conjunction with a breast lift, liposuction, an abdominoplasty or another cosmetic procedure.
The decision to combine procedures will ultimately depend on the personal needs of the patient, which can be discussed during the consultation process.
Risks and complications
The possible risks and complications of a breast reduction can include:
Your recovery instructions will need to consider the details of your procedure, your personal needs and any lifestyle factors that can affect your body’s healing process. Dr Hunt will provide you with personalised instructions that will be essential to follow to minimise procedure risks.- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Delayed healing
- Scarring
- Asymmetrical results
- Temporary or permanent changes in sensation
- An inability to breastfeed
- Fluid accumulation (Seroma)
- Blood clot formation (Thrombosis)
- Anaesthesia complications
- The need for revision surgery