Budapest Plastic Surgery - Breast Reduction in Budapest

Breast Reduction in Budapest - Breast Cosmetic Surgery

Breast reduction surgery may be the solution to the discomfort caused by excessively large breasts. Find out what the procedure involves and what you can expect from the surgery.

Constant back and neck pain, gouges in your shoulders from bra straps, deteriorating posture and an inability to participate in certain activities rank among the common complaints of women with large breasts. Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) may help relieve these symptoms. As technology advances and surgical techniques improve, more women are seeking consultations from plastic surgeons to discuss options for adjusting their breast sizes to a healthier and more comfortable level. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 104,000 breast reduction surgeries were performed in 2006.

If you're considering breast reduction surgery, find out more about who the surgery can benefit and what you can expect from the procedure.
What are the indications for breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is for women who have large breasts and want to resolve one or more of the following associated problems:

* Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
* Poor posture
* Skin rash under the breasts
* Deep grooves in the shoulders from bra strap pressure
* Restricted levels of activity
* Low self-esteem
* Difficulty wearing or fitting into certain bras and clothing

You can have breast reduction surgery at any age, but it's generally advisable to wait until you're at least age 20, by which time your breasts are likely to be fully developed. However, sometimes surgery is performed in teens who suffer significant emotional and psychological effects of having too-large breasts.

If you want children, consider postponing breast reduction surgery until you've had them. Changes to breast tissue during pregnancy could alter your surgical results. Also, after the surgery, breast-feeding may be difficult.

How is breast reduction surgery done?

Image of incisions made for breast reduction surgery Breast reduction surgery

Surgeons use different techniques, but the most common one involves an anchor-shaped incision that goes around the areola, down the breast toward the crease between the breast and abdomen, and then horizontally in the crease under the breast. The surgeon removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to reduce the size of your breast. If amount of tissue to be removed is relatively small, your surgeon may not need to make the horizontal incision.

In most cases, the nipple and areola remain attached to the breast. If the breasts are very large and droopy, however, the surgeon may have to remove the nipple and areola and reattach them at a higher position as a skin graft. In this case, detaching the nipple and areola from their blood vessels and nerves causes them to permanently lose sensation and can result in the inability to breast-feed.
What can you expect during the surgery?

Before surgery, your doctor measures and puts marks on your breasts. Breast reduction surgery usually is performed under general anesthesia that you inhale as a gas or receive through an intravenous (IV) line. It affects your entire body, inducing a temporary state of unconsciousness.

Breast reduction surgery generally lasts two to three hours. After the surgery, you wake up in a recovery room, where your health care team monitors you for any complications.

What can you expect after the surgery?

After surgery, your breasts are covered with a gauze dressing or elastic bandages. A drainage tube may be placed under each arm for one day to several weeks. Medication for pain and nausea as well as antibiotics to decrease your chance of infection will be available for you. You may stay in the hospital overnight, but outpatient surgeries also are common. Make plans for someone to drive you home from the hospital.

During the initial recovery period, your breasts likely will feel very tender and sensitive. They may also be swollen and bruised. Scarring is permanent, but it won't be visible when you're clothed.

You may be able to return to work in two to three weeks if your job doesn't require strenuous activity. It may take up to a month for the pain and sensitivity to disappear. And it may take even longer — six months or more — for your final breast shape to become apparent.

What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?

Benefits of the surgery include relief of pain in your upper back, neck and shoulders; reduced shoulder pressure from bra straps; increased ability to exercise and participate in physical activities; and a more positive self-image. The surgery may also help you breathe and sleep easier. Most women who have breast reduction surgery are highly satisfied with the results.
What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery has the same risks as any other type of major surgery — bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Other possible risks specific to breast reduction surgery include:

* Loss of sensation in the nipples and areolae
* Impaired blood supply to the nipples, leading to loss of the nipples and scarring
* Inability to breast-feed
* Asymmetry in size, shape, position and contour of the nipples or breasts, which may lead to further surgery to improve appearance
* Altered body image and a period of adjustment to get used to the change in your appearance

Understanding what's involved in breast reduction surgery and weighing the benefits and risks of surgery can help you decide if it's right for you.