What does a breast reduction consultation look like?

 

Breast surgery is a surgical procedure that can improve body shape, alleviate back pain, and in some cases, even relieve the symptoms of respiratory and spinal problems. Consultation for breast surgery is typically quite simple and straightforward. It does not involve lengthy or difficult preparation, and most of the routine tests are performed before the procedure. Here is what a breast surgery consultation looks like.

The whole process takes anywhere from 2 ½ hours to 3 ½ hours. It includes preparation, anesthesia, and actual surgical procedures. Breasts are moved out of their normal location to make room for the new ones. Then the remaining tissues are trimmed, stitched, and pulled back into place. Additional procedures may be needed depending on the extent of the reduction required. After the operation, you will receive some medications to help prevent infection and swelling. You will also be asked to stay still for a few days to allow proper healing. Most women feel full recovery within 7 – 10 days.                       

                  

What Does a Breast Reduction Consultation Look Like?

Breast surgery is a surgical procedure that can improve body shape, alleviate back pain, and in some cases, even relieve the symptoms of respiratory and spinal problems. Consultation for breast surgery is typically quite simple and straightforward. It does not involve lengthy or difficult preparation, and most of the routine tests are performed before the procedure. Here is what a breast surgery consultation looks like.

 

Meet with a physician

 

Consultation for breast surgery is typically done between your surgeon and yourself, so you can ask any questions you may have about the procedure and make sure that your expectations about how you will look after surgery match up with what your surgeon has in mind.

 

At this stage, you need to discuss with your physician the reasons for the surgery, desired outcomes, and your general expectations. This includes:

- What is the main reason for you wanting surgery?

- Do you want to get rid of large breasts permanently?

- Will it be a small incision or a larger one?

- Will there be scars on the chest?

- Do you plan to wear a bra? If so, do you want a smaller size than usual? - How much will you lose weight during recovery?

- Will you need an implant afterward?

 

At this point, you should also take time to read through the information provided by your surgeon. You will learn more details about the surgery, possible complications, side effects, and other important aspects. The amount of time spent at the first meeting varies depending on your circumstances, but generally, consultations last anywhere from 15 – 45 minutes.

 

Get ready

 

After a short break to relax, you should return to your doctor’s office to prepare for the operation. Once again, you will meet with your surgeon, who will explain everything to you in detail. They will review all relevant medical history and perform a physical examination. They will assess your overall health status and discuss any concerns they have regarding your condition. At this point, they will determine if the procedure is safe and appropriate for you. They will also inform you of the risks involved and answer any questions you might have. Your surgeon will then go over the specifics of the procedure with you, including:

- What parts will be cut open?

- Is there anything special you would like to avoid?

- What type of anesthesia will be used?

- What happens before and after the actual surgery?

You should expect to spend anywhere from 30 - 90 minutes preparing for your procedure. In addition, doctors usually require patients to sign various consent forms. These documents outline exactly what will happen during and afterward. After signing them, you will be discharged.

 

Day of operation

 

The day of your procedure begins early in the morning when you arrive at the hospital. You will be taken to the operating room to receive general anesthesia. Once you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will begin cutting the muscles required for breathing and circulation. Next, they will carefully remove breast tissue and close the opening on the skin. Finally, surgeons will attach two drain tubes to help keep blood from leaking into surrounding tissues. Depending on the technique used, you will either wake up immediately or stay asleep throughout the procedure. If you decide to stay awake, you will probably feel some discomfort and numbness during the process. However, most people recover quickly and only experience minor pain and swelling for several days. You will probably notice slight redness around the surgical site when you leave the hospital. It will gradually disappear and become less noticeable within two weeks. Most women can resume their normal activities immediately following surgery. Some feel sore for several weeks after the procedure because of muscle injury. It takes anywhere from 7 – 10 days until you see significant results; however, the full healing process can take as long as three months.

 

Recovery period

 

The recovery period depends on the size of breasts you want to reduce. Typically, it lasts 4 – 6 weeks. You will need to avoid strenuous activity and contact sports during this time. All these things can cause bleeding or bruising, leading to infection in the incision area. For best results, you should follow strict postoperative instructions from your doctor. Otherwise, you risk further damage to the wound and increased scarring.

 

Results

 

The final result may vary greatly depending on how extensive the reduction was. Full breast reduction typically removes a lot of fat and skin tissue while leaving enough skin and supporting structures intact. This means that you get an extremely natural-looking bustline that looks similar to what you had before having large breasts. The best part about this option is its safety and permanence – the scars are barely visible, and they don’t change shape or position over time. On the other hand, partial breast surgery involves removing as much excess fat as possible without reducing skin and underlying anatomy. The result is smaller busts that are more proportional to the rest of your body. Partial reductions often require multiple operations to achieve optimal results.

 

Risks and complications

 

Most major surgeries carry certain risks. Fortunately, breast surgery doesn’t come with many complications. Common problems include:

- Swelling or bruising around the surgery site

- Soreness and stiffness after the operation

- Infection (very rare)

- Hematoma (blood clots inside the chest wall)

- Numbness or tingling sensation in the nipple area

- Loss of sensation in nipples

- Scars

 

Cost

 

Cost varies depending on who performs the surgery. Usually, plastic surgeons charge $5,000 – $8,000, whereas urologists charge between $3,500 – $7,200. There are also cosmetic clinics that offer breast surgery for an affordable price. These places usually provide minimal care and do not perform any surgery. They are mostly interested in making money by selling services such as laser treatments and collagen injections.

 

Considerations

 

Breast surgery is a complex procedure and requires great skill and precision. Surgeons must pay special attention to the nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes located near the breasts. To ensure a quick, safe recovery, patients should consider taking these precautions:

- Do not drink alcohol or use drugs before the procedure.

- Avoid heavy lifting for a couple of days before and after the surgery.

- Take antibiotics if prescribed by a physician.

- Follow instructions given by the surgeon closely.

 

How long does a breast surgery take?

 

The whole process takes anywhere from 2 ½ hours to 3 ½ hours. It includes preparation, anesthesia, and actual surgical procedures. Breasts are moved out of their normal location to make room for the new ones. Then the remaining tissues are trimmed, stitched, and pulled back into place. Additional procedures may be needed depending on the extent of the reduction required. After the operation, you will receive some medications to help prevent infection and swelling. You will also be asked to stay still for a few days to allow proper healing. Most women feel full recovery within 7 – 10 days.