Breast reduction surgery is a popular procedure for women who have large, heavy breasts. As a result, many women are considering breast reduction.
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, it’s important to learn how the process works, what to expect and what to do before, during and after the procedure.
Here are some tips to prepare for breast reduction:
Make a list of your medical conditions, drug allergies and current medications.
Make a list of all your current medications, including their dosage and frequency of use. Bring this list with you to your appointment with the surgeon so he or she can review it with you before surgery day and make sure there aren’t any potential issues related to taking certain medications before undergoing anesthesia.
Make sure you understand the benefits and risks involved with the procedure.
Breast reduction may help relieve back, neck, shoulder and chest pain caused by large breasts. It can also help improve your self-image if you’re bothered by how your breasts look in clothing or bathing suits. But it’s important to be realistic about potential side effects, like scarring or loss of sensation in your nipples or breast skin. You should also consider how much weight you’ll lose after surgery — if you’ve recently gained weight, this could affect your results. And remember that breast reduction doesn’t prevent pregnancy or stop lactation after birth; it simply reshapes the tissue in your breasts so that they’re smaller and firmer (although your ability to produce milk may not change).
Make sure you understand what will be required of you before, during and after the operation.
Make sure you understand what will be required of you before, during and after the operation. This includes diet and activity restrictions, as well as post-operative care guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific situation and any concerns that may arise before deciding on this surgery.
Find out how much pain to expect after the surgery, and how you can manage it effectively.
You will most likely feel soreness or tenderness around your breasts and nipples. You may also experience soreness in your back, shoulders or arms for up to 2 weeks after the surgery. The doctor may prescribe pain medication for you to take as needed during this time.
Choosing a Surgeon
Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that can remove excessive breast tissue and skin, reshape the breast, and improve the appearance of your breasts. It may also help relieve pain caused by large breasts and even reduce your risk of developing some types of cancer. It’s important to choose a surgeon who has experience performing breast reduction procedures.
Bring photographs to show the look you want.
Showing your surgeon pictures can help them understand what you want to achieve. Bring photos of breasts that are similar in size and shape to yours, as well as photos of how you’d like your breasts to look after surgery.
Write down your goals and expectations.
What do you hope to achieve? Do you have any concerns about the surgery? Write down everything that comes to mind, even if it doesn’t seem important at first. You may have thoughts or questions that come up later, but you won’t remember them if they weren’t written down during your initial research period.
Don’t be afraid to discuss your feelings and concerns.
You may feel embarrassed or ashamed about having large breasts, but don’t let that keep you from talking with your doctor about how you feel. If you’re leaning toward breast reduction surgery, it’s important that your doctor knows how much pain and discomfort you’re experiencing so he or she can advise on what size will give you the best results.
Set aside time for recovery.
Breast reduction can take two to three weeks to recover from. Expect swelling and bruising after the procedure that will gradually improve over the first few days or weeks. You’ll also need time off work if you have any strenuous physical activity restrictions following surgery. It’s important to rest and not do anything too physically demanding for at least two weeks after surgery.
Be prepared to change your dressings
Breast reduction scars can take up to a year or more to heal completely. The doctor may ask that you keep gauze pads on the incisions for two weeks after surgery and then change them every day until they’re healed enough to go without dressing changes. If your breasts are very large or if you have had multiple surgeries, your scars may not be completely healed for up to a year or longer.
Quit smoking
Smoking is bad for your health in general and it’s especially bad for your surgical wounds. Women who smoke have a higher risk of blood clots or wound infections after surgery. If you smoke and are considering breast reduction surgery, talk with your doctor about quitting before surgery. You may be able to use nicotine patches or gum during recovery if you don’t want to give up cigarettes completely.
Getting a baseline mammogram.
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, you should have a baseline mammogram before the procedure. This provides a clear picture of your breast tissue and can help your surgeon identify any abnormal areas that might require attention during or after surgery.
Stock up on healthy, nourishing food.
It is recommended that you eat a balanced diet in preparation for your surgery. You should avoid unhealthy foods like soda and junk food. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables as well as lean meat or other protein sources to ensure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs before, during and after the procedure.
Buy new bras during recovery.
Breasts change shape and size after breast reduction surgery, so it’s important to buy new bras during recovery. Your doctor or surgeon will likely recommend several brands of post-surgical bras based on your surgery type. If you already own a few favorite styles, try the same types in sizes larger than usual to accommodate swelling and other changes during recovery.
Get your blood and immunizations up to date
You’ll likely be asked to provide a blood sample before your surgery. This is so that your doctor can test it for various diseases and make sure that you don’t have any illnesses or conditions that could affect the surgery. Having your blood work done before the operation will give you peace of mind about your health before going under the knife.
Prepare your home for recovery
You will need to have a safe place for you and your family members to sleep during the recovery period. This can be difficult if you have stairs or a second story in your home, or if you have small children. You may also want to consider hiring a sitter to help with household chores during this time.
Lose weight if you need to.
Before your procedure, talk with your doctor about losing weight if you’re overweight or obese. Excess fat can make your breasts larger than they would be otherwise, so losing this extra weight will help ensure a more desirable result after breast reduction surgery.
Reduce caffeine intake
The most important thing to do before surgery is to reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine can increase anxiety and make it harder for you to relax. If you’re a coffee drinker, try cutting out caffeine altogether for a few weeks before your surgery. If you’re a tea lover, switch to decaf.
