- Does the breast reduction surgery leave scars?
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Fortunately this surgery allow us hide the incisions (in “T”, in “L”, “I”, etc.), which is convenient in the first months. To explain the scar evolution we´re going to describe the different scar stages:
- IMMEDIATE PERIOD: It lasts until the thirtyth day and it has an excelent aspect and less visible. Some cases react to the stitches or to the curatives.
- MEDIATE PERIOD: From the thirtyth day until the twelfth month. There will be a natural scar enlargement during this period such as a change in its color tone, varying from red to brown that is going to get lighter. This period, the least favorable of the scar evolution, is the one that most worry patients. As we can´t hurry the natural healing process up, we recommend to the patients not to worry about it because the late period will be in charge of reducing scar vestiges.
- LATE PERIOD: From the twelfth to the eighth month. In this period the scar is lighter and less consistent achieving ,in fact, the definitive result. Any evaluation about the definitive breast reduction surgery result must be done after this period.
- Where are the incisions placed?
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It depends on the applied technique. Normally there are several sort of incisions that varies according to the breast. That´s how the surgeon indicates the “L”, “I”, or upside down “T” scars format, underneath the breast. That one around the areola disguises the scar with its own transition areola color and the skin. Since the first postoperative days you can use low neck clothes because scars are hidden. In time (check the previous question), scars are being disguised, becoming almost invisible.
- I´ve heard that some patients have too visible scars. Why does it happen?
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Some patients tend to hypertrophic or keloid healing. However, this tendency can be foreseen in the first consultation when we ask you about your medical life such as family aspects that help a lot in the scar prognosis.
Lighter skin people have less probability of developing hypertrophic healing complication.
- Is there correction for hypertrophic scars?
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Several clinical and surgical resources allow us to improve the scars aestheticlly at the right time. The mediate period (from the thirty day to the twelfth month) must not be confused to a healing complication.
Any doubts about your surgery evolution must be reported to your surgeon and not with someone else that like you is anxious about the final result.
- How will my breast look like initially (size and consistence)?
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Breast will be reduced through the surgery and its consistence and shape will be improved. For the breast reduction and lifting up we can choose several volumes among all the possibilities your breast can offer without compromising it. As in the breast enlargement the new breast volume must balanced to the patient´s chest to obtain an aesthetic harmony. In this case, flaccid breast and its shape will be corrected. However, the new breasts pass through several evolutive periods:
- IMEDIATE PERIOD: It lasts until the thirtyth day. In this period, instead breasts look better, its shape is not definitive and some “small defects” appear (inevitable in all cases) tending to disappear in the course of time. Remember this: generally no breast looks perfect in the imediate postoperative period.
- MEDIATE PERIOD: From the thirtyth day to the eighth month. In this period breasts are assuming their definitive shape. In this period, insensibility or highsensibility on your nipple and different levels of swelling are common. Besides, your breasts shape are not definitive yet. Although there´s a certain euphoria from patients in this period, the result is going to get better because this is typical of the third period (late).
- LATE PERIOD: From the eighth to the eighteenth month. That´s when breasts assume its definitive aspect (scar, shape, consistence, volume and sensibility). It´s in this period that we usually take photos to compare them to the preoperative aspect of each patient. In the final result, the breast skin elasticity and the obtained volume are very important. The balance between them depends on each case.
- How long does it take me to achieve the definitive result?
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Although the imediate result is very good, only between the twelfth and the eighteenth month, breast will assume its definitive shape (check previous question).
- What kind of bathing suit should I wear after the surgery?
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In the mediate and late period you can use any kind of bathing suit as long as the higher piece isn´t too tight. Of course, after the scars maturation the bathing suit will fit better. It´s up to you. However, in large breasts reduction the horizon line is larger, establishing the best bathing suit choice to disguise the incision.
- In the next pregnancy, will the result remain the same or be damaged?
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Your gynecologist will advise you about being or not being pregnant. The result will remain the same if your gynecologist controls your weight during the next pregnancy. Generally, there´s no problem. When too large breasts are reduced, breastfeeding is harmmed. In small and medium reductions breastfeeding is kept;
- Is the breast reduction surgery postoperative painful?
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Unless you do not obey medical instructions specially about arms movements, physical efforts and others precautions on the first days.
- Are there risks during this surgery?
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Rarely this surgery has serious complications due to the fact that each patient is suitably prepared and we connect this surgery to others simultaneously. The risk is exactly the same when you travel by plane or by car or even cross the street.
- What kind of anesthesia is used?
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General, spinal or local anesthesia with attended sedation, in very special cases (it´s up to the surgeon).
- How long does the surgery last?
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It depends on the sort of breast. It´s around 3 hours.
- How long does the internment period take?
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Around from twelve to twenty-four hours.
- Are curatives used?
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Yes. Elastic and shaping curatives adapted to each sort of breast. They´re exchanged periodically.
- When are the stitches removed? Is it painful?
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They are removed between the fifth and the thirteenth day with no pain.
- When could I take a complete shower?
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Generally after 7 days. Some cases ask for special precautions on the operated area, so avoid moistening this area for at least eight days.
- How is the postoperative evolution?
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You must not forget that your breasts will pass through different stages (check the first and the fifth questions) until you achieve the wanted result. Be patient because your organism will take care of everything. Of course, you must tell all your worries to the surgeon so he can give you necessary explanations or do his best to achieve the wanted result.
- When can I resume my normal physical activities?
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Generally after 90 to 120 days.