Breast Reduction Surgery in Turkey

Liv Health Guide

Liv Hospital Vadistanbul

Prof. MD. Halil İbrahim Canter

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

29 May 2023

Article Content

What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

For Whom Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

What are the Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery?

Is There an Age Limit For Breast Reduction Surgery?

How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Take?

What to Pay Attention to After Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast Reduction Surgery Prices

Frequently Asked Questions:

Breast reduction is a type of breast aesthetic operation that can be performed for many different reasons. The operation is performed in the form of surgery at Liv Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. It is performed to make the breasts smaller, lighter and shaped. Women and men can benefit from this breast aesthetics operation.

What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty as it is medically called, is a procedure that serves to provide a breast size that is more proportional to the patient's body and to prevent disorders caused by excessively large breasts (macromastia). Disproportionately large breasts may lead to posture problems, physical and mental distress and pains. Patients with large breasts may have some physical activities restricted in daily life, they may have back pain, or people may be uncomfortable just because of their aesthetic appearance. Breast reduction surgery is an operation that provides a solution to such situations. Usually, surgery to relieve these and similar symptoms is also preferred by people who do not have symptoms but are not satisfied with the size of the breasts.

How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It usually takes between 2 and 5 hours. There are several different surgical methods that can be used. The specialist physician who will perform the procedure performs the operation by choosing one of these different methods depending on the shape and size of the breast. These methods are:

Liposuction Method: The surgeon inserts a tube into the vacuum device by opening small incisions in the area of the procedure. This tube works by pulling fat and liquids out of the breast. This method is preferred when less breast reduction will be performed, that is, if the breast is smaller and it is thought that the skin can compensate for the difference.
Lollipop Method or Vertical Incision: This method is preferred if a moderate reduction is to be performed or if sagging in the breast is desired to be corrected. The surgeon makes incisions from around the areola (the colored area around the nipple) to the area under the breast, and removes excess tissue and fat, shapes the breast and lifts the breast.
Reverse T Incision method (Anchor Method): This method is performed by making incisions along the lower fold of the breast, towards the bottom of the areola by the surgeon. It is usually preferred for large breast reductions and in cases where there is a lot of sagging or unevenness.

Since breast surgery is a major surgical operation (i.e., general anesthesia is used), the patient stays in the hospital for one day after the surgery.

For Whom Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

Everyone with a large chest size is a candidate for problems caused by this condition. A large chest is the cause of back pain. In addition, it can restrict various physical activities, negatively affect psychological and physical health, and lead to aesthetic discomfort. However, whether or not to have surgery is entirely the choice of people. When women and men need it, they can have this surgery and see the benefits.

How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed on Women?

Large breasts, especially breasts that are not proportional to the size of the body, can lead to many problems in women. Back, neck, breast and shoulder pain are foremost problems. There may be pain and injury caused by a bra strap on the shoulders. Difficulty finding clothes suitable for the upper body is also a common condition. In addition, large breasts can also cause difficulties during physical exercise. Breast reduction surgery gives positive results in women suffering from these conditions.

How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed on Men?

The condition in which one or both breasts are larger than normal in men is called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia can occur as a result of hormonal imbalance or as a result of breast tissue growth due to excessive weight-increasing estrogen levels. Breast reduction surgery is a good option for men with gynecomastia. If there is a proportional size in the breasts due to just being overweight, or obese, this surgery is not performed.

What are the Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery?

The risks associated with breast surgery exist, just like with any surgery. As for general anesthesia, there are problems such as allergic reactions, chest infections, blood clots, heart attacks, stroke, and death, just like all surgeries with general anesthesia. The problems that may occur due to breast reduction surgery can be listed as follows: scars, heavy bleeding, infection, swelling, bruising, pain, healing problems, asymmetry, decreased sensation, damage to deeper structures, and allergic reaction.
It is possible that these problems will arise, but this does not mean that they will definitely occur. Factors such as being healthy and not smoking increase the chances of success of each operation, as well as they are important factors in breast reduction operations. If you need breast reduction surgery but are afraid of these disadvantages, you can find out how much risk you are at by consulting your specialist physician about these fears.

Is There an Age Limit For Breast Reduction Surgery?

There is no age limit for breast reduction surgery. Only breast development should be completed. In the medical literature, this is defined as Tanner stage 5. The doctor you consult can tell you after the examination whether the surgery is suitable for you.

How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Take?

Each operation differs depending on various variables. However, to say a general time value; the operation is expected to take at least 2 hours and at most 5 hours. The time may be prolonged depending on the complications that may occur.

What to Pay Attention to After Breast Reduction Surgery

After surgery, a one-day hospitalization is an expected result, as general anesthesia is administered. After the operation, you can walk and do light work within two weeks. It is considered normal for the first two weeks to pass with pain and swelling. During these two weeks, you should not lift heavy things and be alert to the symptoms that your doctor tells you to watch out for. It may take about six weeks for you to return to your normal exercises.
Since breast reduction surgery is performed with different methods, in different sizes, what needs to be paid attention to after surgery for each person will also vary. However, when you see an unexpected symptom after surgery, that is, if your wounds heal late, if you see swelling in an unexpected area, or if you suspect problems such as inflammation or loss of sensation, it may be useful to contact your doctor without wasting time.

Breast Reduction Surgery Prices

Breast reduction surgery prices will vary depending on where you prefer to have the surgery. You can consult the healthcare institutions where you want to have surgery to get information about this.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does a scar remain after breast reduction surgery?

Scars may remain on the skin after any operation. Even if there are no problems after surgery, the places where the surgery was performed may look redder, slightly lumpy and puffy. You can help heal these wound sites with dressings and then creams recommended by your doctor. It has been stated that most people do not have very visible scars after recovery. However, this healing process of the skin can take up to two years.
As with any operation, this situation varies from person to person. If you are already prone to scarring, it may be good to discuss this with your surgeon before surgery.

Why do breasts sag?

Breasts of any size can sag, but due to gravity, large breasts are more prone to sagging. In addition, aging, hormone changes, pregnancy, weight gain and loss, and menopause can also cause sagging breasts. There are no studies showing that breastfeeding causes breast sagging.

Is breast reduction surgery an obstacle to breastfeeding?

If you are planning to breastfeed in the near future, it may be a good idea to postpone breast surgery. It is important to remember that the breasts, like the entire body, change during pregnancy and this will affect the outcome of the surgery. Most plastic surgeons prefer to wait for the breast to return to its normal shape after the breastfeeding process for surgery. This is also between 6 and 12 months.

* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .