Breast reduction surgery

In most cases, breast reduction surgery is done for health reasons. Breasts that weigh more than 400-500 grams can cause neck pain and back pain, put stress on your spine and complicate osteoporosis. During the consultative exam with a physician, a patient is carefully examined and measured, and, depending on the state and demands, a surgical plan is made.

Women opt for breast reduction mainly for health reasons. However, esthetic component plays a certain role as well. Therefore, it is important that the patient is a healthy, stable person with objective expectations who understands all components of the surgical procedure.

It is necessary to stop smoking a month before the procedure due to a detrimental effect on microcirculation; a week before, it is necessary to stop taking preparations based on acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Acisal, etc.) and other medications and preparations that can affect blood clotting in order to avoid unwanted bleeding. In case a client is on an intensive reduction diet, it is firstly necessary to stabilize her bodily weight and then plan the procedure.

Breast reduction surgery takes about 2 to 3 hours; it is done under general anesthesia. It represents a very demanding reconstructive procedure; excellent assessment and exquisite surgical technique of a surgeon are necessary.
It is usually performed together with breast position correction (lifting).
The incision is mostly visible – it is placed around the nipple, and follows down, all the way to the inframammary fold and horizontally in inframammary fold.
There is the possibility of installing small drains on each side of the chest for the next 24 hours.
After the procedure, breasts are wrapped in an elastic bandage; the next day, the bandage is replaced by an elastic corset – custom made bra, which is to be worn in the next 1-1,5 months.

Postoperatively, for the next couple of hours, a patient stays in a suite due to supervision and analgesia. In a general state of stability and safety, with analgesics taken and elastic band wrapped around breasts, the patient is discharged home. The next day, during the first control examination, bandage is replaced by a firm elastic corset, which is to be worn for the next 4-6 weeks.
Return to daily activities is possible in 7-10 days; in 4-5 weeks it is possible to deal with greater physical effort.
Sutures are removed in 1-3 weeks. Patients who aren’t situated in Osijek area are advised to stay in the city for at least a couple of days after the procedure – the procedure is very complex and it is necessary to supervise postoperative course. Real and definitive results are visible after 3 months. In case of need for another surgical procedure, medical fee will not be charged; however, technical expenses of repeated surgery are charged.

As well as with breast augmentation, instructions are similar: time necessary for recovery depends on the procedure a patient is undergoing, and on the patient herself. Help is mostly needed during the first and second day, after that a patient can usually take care of herself. The second day after the procedure, a patient can function normally, although it can be individual. Many of them can return to work in 10 to 12 days, but it depends on the individual as well. It is necessary to avoid hard efforts and heavy lifting during the next 4-6 weeks.

It is of utmost importance to follow the instructions given by the doctor in order to recover as quickly as possible. Usually, we recommend several postoperative control examinations, in order for the surgeon to monitor the progress of recovery.

Every surgical procedure carries certain risks, such as risks of anesthesia, infection, bleeding and swelling. These complications occur rarely and can usually be avoided. Although pain after the procedure is generally very mild, when it is present, it is easily alleviated using adequate medications.

Due to safety, reliability and success of the procedure, during consultation a surgeon and an anesthesiologist will explain the risks that the surgery carries and provide instructions to be followed in postoperative period.