8 Facts you may not have known about breast reduction

Breast reduction is one of the most demanded surgeries in Spain.

However, many patients are unaware of some important details.

Here are some of the characteristics that most often attract the attention of patients who come to my office to request a breast reduction.

1. There is more than one type of incision and more than one type of scar.

   When I perform a breast reduction, I usually include skin, gland and fatty tissue of the breast. The incision will depend on the amount of breast to be reduced. When the patient wishes to reduce a small amount of breast, we can perform it through a periareolar incision (scar around the areola), while if the amount is larger we perform a periareolar scar with a vertical scar or also an inverted “T” scar. As I said before, it all depends on the amount of gland, fatty tissue and skin to be removed so that the breast is reduced and lifted.

2. You must make sure that your breast has finished growing before the operation.

   I usually perform breast reduction once breast development is complete, which takes place around the age of 21. It is true that as in everything there are exceptions, and I also perform breast reductions even in minors (with the consent of both parents) in those patients in puberty with breast hypertrophy that causes neck and back pain or prevents them from doing physical exercise or gymnastics at school or lead a normal life.

3. You may need to have a second breast reduction a second breast reduction in the future..

   Keep in mind that events such as pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight changes can affect the appearance of the breasts, whether you have had breast surgery or not. Do not rule out a new retouching 15-20 years after breast reduction surgery, especially if you have had children, breast-feeding or have changed weight.

4. Your health insurance (including Social Security) may underpay the cost of the operation.

   Breast hypertrophy may fall within the portfolio of public health services. Ask your family doctor if you meet the criteria to be operated on in the Spanish Social Security. If you have private insurance, consult the clauses and find out about the conditions in this regard.

5. The sensitivity of your nipple-areola complex may vary (temporarily).

   In some patients, the sensitivity in the areolas may increase or decrease during the immediate postoperative period, although in most cases it usually normalizes after some time.

6. Surgery may change your breastfeeding schedule.

   If you are planning to breastfeed after a breast reduction, consider that you may have to give up breastfeeding because during a breast reduction we remove milk ducts with the mammary gland.

7. There are ways to try to minimize scarring.

   To improve the scars we advise silicone gel patches or creams for about 3-6 months. One of the factors that I believe contributes to poor scar results is the tension on the scars. I personally like to put paper tape over the scars for the first month to try to reduce the tension on the scar to give a better result. It is important to remember that scars improve with time but are permanent.

8. Get ready for a self-esteem boost!

   There are studies that conclude that approximately more than one third of women who need a breast reduction suffer from anxiety, depression or both at the same time. They also conclude that approximately 80% of patients who have had breast reduction surgery are happy with the decision they made and that they have noticed a rapid relief of back pain.

Recommended article: I recommend that you read this article on the subject by SECPRE (Spanish Society of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery).

Do you have doubts about breast reduction?

Contact me below.

Here is a horizontal version of my infographic: