Mastopexy &
Breast Reduction
What does the surgery involve?
Incisions are made in order to sculpt the breasts into a smaller and perter shape. The incisions can be:
- Around the areola only (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) – this is used in a small mastopexy (uplift) only.
- Around the areolar, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease and horizontally in the breast crease under the breast – this is used for most reductions and mastopexies where more skin needs to be tightened.
Excess breast tissue and skin is removed and the entire breast is reshaped with the nipples moved to a higher and more youthful position. The incisions are stitched up in a way that reduces scarring to a minimum. The surgery takes between two and three hours to complete.
A breast reduction / mastopexy is usually performed under a general anaesthetic (you will be asleep during the procedure). Providing all is well, you can expect to go home the day after surgery.
What are the risks and side effects of surgery?
Having cosmetic surgery can be a very positive experience. Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, no surgery is without risk and it is important that you are aware of possible complications.
Infection
Infection is rare, but you may require antibiotics if there are any concerns.
Wound healing problems
This problem is rare but can happen around the nipple or at the T junction (where the horizontal and vertical scars meet). These healing difficulties can range from minor problems, such as small areas of wound separation, to major issues, such as skin or nipple loss. Although very rare, this situation may require a skin graft to close the wound, meaning more surgery. Patients who have diabetes, smoke, are obese or elderly are at an increased risk of delayed healing.
Numbness, reduced sensation or oversensitivity
This can occur in the nipple. This is usually temporary, but occasionally these changes can remain to some degree.
Fat necrosis
Sometimes areas of fat within the breast scar and form hard lumps called fat necrosis. Usually, no specific treatment is required and the problem settles down over a 12 month month period.
Asymmetry
Each breast is slightly different and will continue to be following surgery; they are ‘sisters’ and not ‘twins’.
Breastfeeding
Not all patients will be able to breast feed after a breast reduction or mastopexy. If you have further family plans and wish to breast feed, then this procedure should be delayed.
DVT/PE
Following any surgical procedure it is possible to develop a blood clot in your legs, which could potentially break off and move to your lungs. If the blood clot is large enough it could prove fatal. In order to reduce any risks of this we give you special stockings to wear in bed and a blood thinning injection if you are immobile.
All the risks will be discussed in detail at your consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to discuss these with me. Decisions about cosmetic surgery must never be rushed and requires personal research.
What is the estimated time for recovery, absence from work and return to usual activities?
When you get home, you should take things easy for the first week. Most people take a few days off from work. You should be able to drive by 1 week, return to the gym for lower body work after 1 week and begin upper body exercises at 2-3 weeks.
