Breast reduction with lift not only results in reducing the size of heavy and very heavy breasts making them lighter, it also results in uplifting the breasts making them youthful, perky and aesthetically pleasing.
A lot of women, of all ages, suffer from problems associated with heavy breasts, which may include neck pain, shoulder pain, poor posture etc, besides suffering from low self-esteem and inability to wear the clothes of their choice.
Non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, weight loss, medications, however, do not offer much relief to such women and Breast reduction surgery is usually the best option for them.
Large Breasts and Associated Problems
Heavy or large breasts, medically known as macromastia can cause pain and disturbance in various body symptoms which is known as symptomatic macromastia. Neck, back and shoulder pain, pain in the chest wall, rashes under and between the breasts, rashes between the bra grooves are few of the very common symptoms.
Other symptoms may also include headaches, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath beside various others. The symptoms are very similar to those of neck arthritis or cervical disk problems and a good physician can tell if the problems you are facing is because of the heavy breasts only.
Non-surgical treatment for breast reduction
Most women have this question in mind – “Is there any nonsurgical treatment for breast reduction and breast lift?"” Experts say that minor problems can be treated with medications, physiotherapy, and other nonsurgical treatments. However, for women with very heavy breasts, who have severe symptoms, nonsurgical treatments do not offer much relief.
Even support bras are of little use and can sometimes even aggravate the pain. Though weight loss is good for health, it does not really improve the symptoms. The fact that the breast skin is heavy and adds significantly to the total breast weight and the increase in breast skin is permanent and not reversible even with the weight loss, makes surgery the most viable solution for women suffering from macromastia.
Breast Reduction Surgery- Permanent solution for Symptomatic Macromastia
What is Breast Reduction and Lift Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery also called reduction mammaplasty, is the surgical procedure to remove extra fat, skin, and tissue from the breasts making them lighter. The surgery also results in uplifting the breasts when they are drooping, making them aesthetically pleasing.
It is the most effective treatment for treating symptoms associated with heavy boobs. The benefits include pain relief, relief in headaches, better sleep, and improved physical activity.
Plastic surgeons across the world agree that patient satisfaction after breast reduction is very high. More than 90% of women experience significant relief in symptoms associated with heavy breasts.
What is the Best Age for Breast Reduction?
Though breast reduction operation should be undertaken after you have completed your family and do not plan to breastfeed anymore, experts all over the world agree that there is no “right” age to get the operation done.
If you are above 18, have heavy boobs which make you concious and are the cause of physical discomfort to you; you are healthy and have realistic expectations from the procedure, you are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
Can I Breastfeed after Breast Reduction?
Most women, who choose to undergo breast reduction before completing their family are concerned if they can breastfeed after the operation. It is quite understandable that on one hand, you are concerned about the discomfort and pain because of heavy boobs; while at the same time you do not wish to compromise on nursing your baby and feel the pinch of not providing the best to your little bundle of joy.
Please tell your surgeon about your choice to breastfeed after breast reduction and the surgeon would advise the best course of action. He would modify the technique and would spare the ducts for good flow of milk.
It is important to understand the process of milk production to understand how breast reduction can affect your ability to breastfeed.
This detailed article on Breastfeeding after Breast reduction gives you information on the process of milk production and how the surgeon can modify your breast reduction surgery to accommodate your request for breastfeeding in future.
What is the Breast Reduction Procedure like?
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2-3 hours. There are various techniques to perform breast reduction; of which the most commonly used are:
- Vertical or Lollipop Breast Reduction
- Inverted “T” or Anchor Breast Reduction
- Inferior Pedicle Method
| Before Inferior Pedicle method |
| After Inferior Pedicle method |
| Before Anchor breast reduction |
| After Anchor breast reduction |
| Before Vertical Breast Reduction |
| After Vertical Breast Reduction |
All the techniques have different advantages and disadvantages. Your surgeon and you can discuss the options which shall be based on your breast anatomy, type and amount of tissue to be removed and your expectations from the procedure.
The surgeon makes a circular incision around the areola and removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin. In case of too much fat, the excess fat is removed through liposuction along with the incision.
Nipple which is tethered to its original blood and nerve supply is re-positioned by the surgeon and if necessary, the areola is reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. If the breasts are too pendulous, the nipple and areola are also removed and transplanted to higher position as free graft.
The surgeon then closes the incision of the reshaped smaller breasts. The incisions from the breast reduction are permanent, though fade and appear like a thin line with time and are well concealed under the swim suit or bra.
What is Recovery after Breast Reduction like?
You would stay at the hospital for 2-3 days under medical supervision if you are a medical tourist and getting plastic surgery in India, this is to make sure that the initial recovery happens under medical supervision and you have healed enough to be on your own.
Your chest shall be bandaged and you would be advised to wear a surgical bra for initial few days followed by a sports bra for few weeks. The surgeon would prescribe you medications to control the pain and discomfort which may last for a few days, the intensity of which reduces with each passing day.
Recovery varies from person to person depending on individual body’s healing capacity and extent of the surgery performed; however, the general timelines for recovery for returning to a normal desk job is after a week to ten days. Exercises and heavy workout would need to wait for 4-5 weeks for everyone. Your stitches need to heal completely before you start any heavy workout using your arms or upper body.
It is important to note that your breasts may heal at a different rate, so it is normal to feel asymmetry during first few months. Besides, your breasts may appear a little larger than what you had expected because of swelling and soreness for the first few weeks. Loss of sensation in nipples and tingling in breasts is also normal for first few weeks.
How is the Pain after Breast Reduction Surgery like?
Most women are concerned and sometimes scared about pain after breast reduction. Their first question about recovery is- “Is it too painful after breast reduction?” The answer to this questions is that it varies from person to person. The threshold to bear pain varies for every woman and so few women feel it too painful; while the others may feel little to moderate pain.
You can expect to feel moderate to severe pain for intital 2-3 days after the procedure, which varies depending on the technique and the extent of surgery performed. You would feel better with each passing day.
You should share your concern with the surgeon and there are options to control the pain which may include pain pumps, to intravenous pain killers and prsecription medicines.
How are the Results of Breast Reduction like?
While many women feel an immidiate relief from pain in neck, shoulder and back; for some, it may take some time. It is important to note that it may take a few weeks before you can apprecaite the final results.
With time, your swelling would resolve and the scars would begin to fade. After about 8-10 weeks, you can see the final results and you can shop for new bras with confidence.
Almost all women feel an increase in self confidence and renewed sense of freedom to wear the clothes they want and participate in physical activities that they used to avoid before the surgery.
| Before- After Breast Reduction Surgery |
How long do the Results of Breast reduction last?
You can enjoy the results of breast reduction- smaller, lighter breasts for life unless you gain or lose large amount of weight and do not have children.
It is at the same time important to note that nothing can stop the natural ageing and it too shall have effect on the results. Your new breasts would also sag with time, but definitely not as severely as they might have without breast reduction.
If you choose to get pregnant, expect to see the change in size, shape and appearance of your breasts; possibly reversing some of the positive effects of breast reduction surgery. It is important to discuss your plan of getting pregnant and/or breast feeding after the surgery with your surgeon. He would guide you about the timing of surgery and/or modify the technique accordingly.
It is important to discuss your plan of getting pregnant and/or breastfeeding after the surgery with your surgeon. He would guide you about the timing of surgery and/or modify the technique accordingly.
It is very important to get the procedure done by a board certified and experienced surgeon for best results and your safety and well-being.
Finding the Right Cosmetic Surgeon
If you are looking for Breast reduction surgery and do not afford it in your country, IndiCure offers the best solution for you.
Plastic surgery in India is not only affordable, we have got few of the best breast reduction surgeons in the world, language is not a problem- English is the official language and all medical staff speak and understand English; you get to enjoy personalised attention, your surgery remains discreet and you get to visit a unique country on the earth.
Read this article to know Why you should choose to get Plastic Surgery in India
What is the Cost of Breast Reduction Surgery?
The cost of breast reduction surgery varies with your geographical location. The cost of breast reduction in USA is around US $ 12,000, in UK around £ 9,000, Australia it costs around $ 15,000, while the cost of breast reduction in India is around is around US $ 2600.
It varies with the extent of surgery required, surgeon, facility and the city where you choose to get the surgery done.
How to get Breast Reduction Surgery?
If you are looking for plastic surgery abroad with board certified surgeons at an affordable cost, write to us.
IndiCure is the most renowned name for providing plastic surgery in India with the best plastic surgeons at affordable prices. We have on our panel few of the best breast reduction surgeons in the world, who have many years of experience under their belt and a 100% track record.
With hundreds of satisfied clients from more than 30 countries, IndiCure understands your expectations and can anticipate your requirements well. For more information about your plastic surgery in India, write to us at [email protected] or call us at +91 9320036777 (India number) or +1-877-270-2448 (US Toll Free) or talk to us at Skype@IndiCure
