Aside from struggling to find clothes that fit, women with very large breasts often suffer from chronic back pain, leading to a reduced quality of life. Here DR LEE HANJING explains why breast reduction surgery is becoming increasingly popular, and what the procedure involves. According to a US study, over 95 percent of women are happy with their breast reduction surgery results – so it’s no surprise that more and more women are looking into it.
Why do women come to you for breast reductions?
Some women develop breast hyperplasia during puberty, which is exacerbated with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Enlarged breasts can cause breast pain, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and infections and rashes under the breast. It can also be difficult to find bras and clothing that fit. Another unfortunate side effect is emotional distress and low self-esteem.
What are some health benefits of breast reduction?
All of the symptoms mentioned are alleviated following surgery. Women describe the feeling as literally like lifting a weight off their chest. It gives them a fresh lease on life as a whole new world of smaller bras and clothing opens up!
Exercise becomes easier when you don’t have to strap on two to three sports bras to support the massive weight. Bra strap grooving over the bra strap region is eased, and posture is improved. Aside from the obvious physical health benefits, it also psychologically improves confidence and wellbeing.
How is the breast reduction surgery performed?
The procedure removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to provide an ideal breast shape and size that’s proportionate to your body frame. It’s done under general anaesthesia in a day-surgery setting and takes around three hours, depending on breast size.
Do you also improve the size and placement of the nipples?
A common side effect of breast enlargement is that the areolar also enlarges, sometimes to as wide as 8 to 10cm in diameter. During reduction, the areola is also reduced to a proportionate size, and placed higher on the chest to achieve a perkier look.
Are there any downsides?
Around one quarter of patients may have some sensory disturbances over the breast and areolar/nipple region. There will be some scarring – the extent depends on the volume of breast that is reduced. It may be a simple scar around the areolar, a lollipop scar (around the areolar and a straight vertical line down) or an anchor scar (around the areolar, straight line down and a horizontal line across the inframammary fold region). In my opinion, it’s more than a worthy exchange, given the improved quality of life.
Can women have this procedure before pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Even adolescent girls who suffer from breast hypertrophy/macromastia can have a reduction, as long as the patient and family understands the potential risks. Future ability to breastfeed is affected in around 25 percent of cases. If the surgery is done before pregnancy, the breast may increase in size again. I generally recommend that women finish having kids before embarking on surgery.
What’s the downtime and recovery of breast reduction surgery?
It can be done as a day-surgery procedure or with a one night hospital stay. Ideally, you would have a week or two off work. Post-operative garments are worn for four weeks to support healing, and you can resume normal exercise after six weeks. Scar reduction treatment also starts once the wound heals.
Is it possible to have the procedure covered by insurance?
Breast reduction surgery is both MediSave and insurance claimable. To be considered a medically required procedure, minimum volumes of 250cc for one breast and 500cc for both breasts must be removed.
Dr Lee Hanjing
#01-03 Mount Alvernia Hospital, 820 Thomson Road
6518 3633 | enquiry@argentplasticsurgery.com
argentplasticsurgery.com
This article on breast reduction surgery first appeared in the September 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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