Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
Surgery Summary
Breast reduction is usually performed through incisions on your breasts with surgical removal of the excess fat, glandular tissue and skin.
In some cases, excess fat amy be removed through liposuction in conjunction with the excision techniques described below. If a breast size is largely due to fatty tissue and excess skin is not a factor, liposuction alone may be used for breast reduction.
The technique used to reduce the size of your breasts will be determined by your individual condition, breast composition, amount of reduction desired, your personal preferences and the surgeon's advice.
Preparing for Surgery
2 Weeks before surgery
- Avoid all aspirin containing products, all anti-inflammitory medications (ie: Ibuprophen such as Advil or Motrin), all products containing 400 IU's of vitamin E and all herbal products. These products can increase bleeding both during and after surgery and may lead to increased post-operative bruising, swelling and recovery time.
- Stop or at least cut down on smoking. Smoking constricts small blood vessels causing delayed healing, increased scarring and increased recovery time.
- Begin taking a multivitamin tablet daily, which can speed healing and shorten recovery time. It is recommended to continue your multivitamin for one month following surgery.
- Arrange for transportation to and from surgery. You must have someone responsible pick you up and remain with you for a minimum of 24 hours. You cannot take a taxi home on your own.
- It is recommended to restrict activity for approximately 2 weeks following surgery. It is advisable to make arrangements for assistance.
- Avoid dental appointments 2 weeks prior to your surgery as well as 2 weeks post operatively.
- Arnica capsules or pellets can be taken orally starting 2 days before surgery and can continue for 5 days post op. This homeopathic medication can assist in decreasing bruising and swelling due to surgery.
24 hours before surgery
- Avoid alcohol or smoking.
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery (no water, no gum). If surgery is booked after 12 noon, clear fluids may be allowed up to 6 hours before surgery (ie: black coffee/tea, clear juice, water). Our nurse will advise you on this when you are given your time for surgery.
Day of surgery
- Wear loose, comfortable button-up/zipper clothing (ie: jog suit, slip on shoes).
- Leave valuables at home (remove contact lenses, jewellery or piercing of any kind).
- Take any regular prescribed medications (ie: blood pressure medications) with a small amount of water.
Click here to download the pre and post op instruction booklet
Surgery Detail
Step 1 - Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Waslen will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 - The incision
Incision options include:
- A circular pattern around the areola.
- A keyhole or racquet-shaped pattern with an incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast line.
- A inverted T or anchor-shaped incision pattern.
Step 3 - Removing tissue and repositioning
After the incision is made, the nipple - which remains tethered to its original blood and nerve supply - is then repositioned. The areola is reduced by excising skin at the perimeter, if necessary. Underlying breast tissue is reduced, lifted and shaped. Occasionally, for extremely large pendulous breasts, the nipple and areola may need to be removed and transplanted to a higher position on the breast (free nipple graft).
Step 4 - Closing the incisions
The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts; sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape close the skin. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.
Step 5 - See the results
The results of your breast reduction surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover.
After Surgery
To help reduce swelling, you will probably be advised to wear an elastic pressure garment for a week or two after surgery.
You can expect to be back to normal daily activities within a week but you will be restricted from heavy physical activity for about a month. It will take about 3 months before you see the final result of your surgery.
After surgery, some discoloration and swelling will occur initially, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month. After breast augmentation surgery, it is often possible to return to work within just a few days or a week.
Except in the event of implant deflation (which is a 1% chance with saline implants), the results of your breast augmentation surgery should be long-lasting. The typical lifetime of implants is thought to be more than 10 - 20 years.
- Some pain and nausea can be expected. This can be relieved with anti-pain and anti-nausea medications. Take them as directed. If you are coming from out of town, please have these medications with you.
- Begin taking antibiotic medication once home from surgery and continue until the prescription is finished.
- Any bandages worn post-operatively should be comfortable and not too tight. Adjust as necessary.
- Use cold compresses 20 min on and off during waking hours. Use a facecloth soaked in ice water and drape over face. Never place ice directly on skin.
- Maintain a regular fluid intake during the day. Gatorade is a good option. Restrict fluids after supper; increased fluid intake will increase swelling.
- Rest is important to minimize pain, nausea and swelling.
- Try to maintain an upright sitting position at all times (ie: 25-45 degree angle) for the first 2-7 days post-op. This will assist in the reduction of post-operative swelling and speed healing time.
- Begin a light nutritional regime and increase food intake as tolerated.
- Take anti-pain medications with food to avoid an upset stomach. Begin taking antibiotic medication once home from surgery and continue until prescription is finished. Eat yogurt while taking antibiotics. If diarrhea occurs, stop antibiotics and call our office for further direction.
Call (403) 228-1313 if you have any questions or concerns.
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Post-operative Day 1
- You may remove your bandages and shower if you wish. Remove all gauze, but leave the white skin tapes intact for approximately 2 weeks post-op (you may notice a blister near the tape area, polysporin can be applied over the tapes as needed).
- Be aware of any unusual swelling or a sudden increase in pain. If either of these are noted, phone the office as soon as possible.
- Continue to maintain a regular fluid intake during the day, decrease after supper.
- Continue to maintain an upright position.
- Use cold compresses for 72 hours to decrease swelling (ie: ice cubes or ice chips in a bowl of cold water with facecloths).
- Be aware of decreased skin sensation. Do not apply excessive heat or cold to the operative areas.
- Do not smoke.
- Rest as much as possible.
- A nurse will call you by noon to assess how you are doing. At this time, you will be given further post-operative instructions as well as an appointment for your first post-operative visit.
Post-operative Days 2-7
- Gradually increase your activity level after 7 days post-operatively. As individuals, everyone's post-operative healing phases will differ. Generally speaking, gentle exercise may resume at 10 days with moderate exercise resuming after 3 weeks. It is advisable to abstain from a full exercise regime until 6 weeks post-operatively.
- Scar tissue (firmness or hardening of operative tissues) may increase up to 6 weeks with the resultant softening of the tissues.
- Approximately 75% of swelling will diminish within 3 - 4 weeks. Any remaining swelling can take from 6 months to 1 year to absorb.
- Best results are usually not seen until 3 months following surgery.
- The final stages of healing are usually not complete until 1 year post-operatively.
Click here to download the pre and post op instruction booklet
Risks & Safety Information
Complications related to surgery are infrequent and usually minor. The risks associated with this surgery are: infection, excessive bleeding, and excessive fluid loss or accumulation. Noticeable scars can also result from this surgery as can permanent pigment changes in the breast area, or asymmetrical breasts or nipples. If asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be performed.
The temporary effects of breast reduction surgery include numbness which may last up to a year.
Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk. It is important that you understand the risks involved with this procedure. An individual's choice to undergo a surgical procedure is based on the comparison of risk to potential benefit. Although the majority of patients do not experience these complications, you should understand the potential complications.
Click here to download the detailed informed consent document