Marietta Plastic Surgery
Breast Reduction

• Before Surgery
• Procedure
• After Surgery
• Recovery
• Before and After Photos

In consultation, your surgeon will take into account your age, the size and shape of your breasts, the condition of your skin and whether you are a good candidate for breast reduction. Scarring will result, but incisions are made where they will appear as inconspicuous as possible.

Before Surgery

1. Avoid taking any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen during the two weeks prior to surgery.
2. Be certain you do not have a cold or sunburn the day of surgery.
3. Eat a balanced nutrient-rich diet before and after surgery. A healthy diet will help speed recovery.
4. Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, unless instructed differently by our anesthesia provider.
5. Do not wear make-up or contact lenses to surgery.
6. Arrange to have someone take you home after surgery and stay with you that evening and, if possible, help you around the house for a few days while you recover.

The Procedure
Breast reduction typically takes one to two hours per breast depending on the extent of the procedure. The procedure is performed in our state accredited surgery center on an outpatient basis. Patients are given general anesthesia during this procedure.

1. After the patient is anesthetized, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola and straight down to and along the natural breast crease. This incision outlines the area from which breast skin, fat, and breast tissue will be removed. If the breasts are very large, the nipples and areola may need to be removed and repositioned.
2. The surrounding skin is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incision, giving the breast its new contour.
3. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.

After Surgery
After the procedure, patients may experience some numbness, bruising, swelling or discomfort at the incision sight. This is normal and will pass with time. Incision site pain is usually minimal, and can be controlled with medication, if necessary. Breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for at least a day or two. Plan on getting plenty of rest and allowing your body to heal.

Patients may experience numbness in the nipples and breast skin, caused by swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally may be permanent. Future breast-feeding may be difficult, since the surgery removes many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples.

Patients will be instructed to wear an elastic bandage over gauze dressings. Within a few days, a soft support/sports bra will replace the bandages. You'll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. Stitches are trimmed after a week or two.

Breast skin may be very dry following surgery. You may apply a moisturizer several times a day, but be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.

Recovery
Most patients are back at work within two weeks after surgery but should continue to take it easy for three weeks. Although patients are ready to return to work or school, they should plan to limit rigorous activity for three weeks. After that, you can resume these activities slowly. Also avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. Because you have undergone invasive surgery, you'll probably have less energy for the first two weeks, but by the third week, you'll look and feel much better. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our offices.

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Before and After Photos of Breast Reduction
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