Well developed breasts enhance woman's beauty. But the same breasts sometimes grow disproportionately large and become a reason for chronic pain and embarrassment. Breast reduction surgery can bring large breasts to normal size. You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Breasts are too large in proportion to your body frame.
- Back, neck or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts.
- Skin irritation beneath your breasts.
- Grooving in your shoulders from tight bra straps.
- Restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts.
- Heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward.
- One breast is much larger than the other.
- Dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the largeness of your breasts.
- Inability to find bras that fit.
| Before | After |
 |  |
| » Anaesthesia | : | General |
| » Duration of Surgery | : | 2-4 hours |
| » Hospital Stay | : | One day |
| » Stitches | : | Self absorbable |
| » Where | : | Operation theater |
| » Recovery | : | Walking and dinner same day |
| Self Care | : | Getting dressed, combing hair, eating: Day of surgery Preparing tea, heating food: Next day |
| Work | : | Cooking, dusting, light household work: 1 week Driving, deskjob: 1 week |
| Activities | : | Morning walk: 1 week Treadmill/Yoga/Swimming: 1 month Upper body weight lifting: 6 weeks Handling the breasts: 6 weeks or more |
| » How is it Done | : | Individual factors and surgeon's preferences will determine the specific technique selected to reduce the size of your breasts. Dr. Priti uses short vertical scar technique which results in a scar around nipple and going vertically down from it till the breast crease. Rarely the scar may be inverted T shaped if the breasts are too large. One incision is made around the areola. Another runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. After the excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed, the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. The areola, which in large breasts usually has been stretched, also is reduced in size. Skin that was formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Liposuction may be used to improve the contour under the arm. Usually, the nipples and areolas remain attached to remaining breast tissue, and this allows for the preservation of sensation. The ability to breast-feed may also be preserved by this method, although this cannot be guaranteed. Rarely, if your breasts are extremely large, the nipples and areolas may need to be completely detached before they are shifted to a higher level. In such a case, you will need to have made the decision to sacrifice sensation and the possibility of breast-feeding in order to achieve your desired breast size. |
Step One: Consultation
During the consultation, you can talk to Dr. Priti about your desired breast size as well as anything else about your breasts that you would like to see improved.
You can see the representative clinical pictures of patients to satisfy yourself about the procedure and ask any questions regarding the results, and possible risks of the surgery.
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, and medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. You should tell if you plan to lose a significant amount of weight, particularly if you have noticed that your breasts become smaller with weight loss. It is recommended that you stabilize your weight before having surgery. Routine diagnostic tests will be ordered.
Step Two: Preoperative Evaluation
Once you have decided to undergo surgery, you will be evaluated for your fitness for anaesthesia and surgery by Dr. Priti or if necessary by the anesthesiologist. Your diagnostic test reports will be studied. Dr. Priti will examine your breasts, taking measurements and clinical photographs for your medical record. The size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the placement of the nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated. You will sign the consent forms and will be given detailed preoperative instructions in writing.
Step Three: Surgery
You report at the hospital on the morning of surgery. Before taking you inside operation room your breasts will be marked with you standing to shape them to desired size. Operation is under general or local anaesthesia and is pain free.
Step Four: After Surgery
You will wake up soon after surgery with bandage and bra on your chest. You can drink water after 4 hours and have some snacks afterwards. You walk and have dinner on same evening. Drains (tubes) are removed usually on next morning and you are ready to go home.
Step Five: Recovery
You will need some assistance initially. Many women start light work in a week's time. By the end of one month usually you are feeling quite normal and ready to resume all normal activities. Breasts look big initially due to swelling but final size and shape is visible in 3-6 months.
