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What is the right age for breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but it is recommended to wait until breast development has stopped, usually by 18 years. Childbirth and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women have breast reduction done even in their teens if the symptoms are severe and causing health, social and psychological problems.
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How is breast reduction performed?
Individual factors and surgeon's preferences will determine the specific technique selected to reduce the size of your breasts. One incision is made around the areola. Another runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. After the excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed, the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. The areola, which in large breasts usually has been stretched, also is reduced in size. Skin that was formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Liposuction may be used to improve the contour under the arm.Usually, the nipples and areolas remain attached to remaining breast tissue, and this allows for the preservation of sensation. The ability to breast-feed may also be preserved by this method, although this cannot be guaranteed.
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What are the risks involved with breast reduction surgery?
Following reduction, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical or the nipple height may vary slightly. If desired, minor adjustments can be made at a later time. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts may occur rarely. Revision surgery is sometimes helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly. In the unlikely event of injury to or loss of the nipple and areola, they usually can be satisfactorily reconstructed using skin grafts.
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How soon can I recover following my surgery?
The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short periods of time. Within a week you will be able to your routine work. Strenuous activities can be generally allowed after 6-8 weeks of surgery. Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of one week depending upon your healing you may be advised to wait longer.
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Will the Scars be visible?
There will be a scar around your nipple-areolar complex and a vertical scar running down. These scars will heal fade over time. Normally they become inconspicuous over a period of time also they are concealed by the breast tissue itself.
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Will my breasts grow big again?
If you are planning pregnancy and feeding, the breast size may increase as it routinely does. Unless you significantly gain weight or become pregnant, your breast size should remain fairly constant.
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How long do I need to see the doctor after surgery?
You will return to the clinic for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, usually 2 days, 2 weeks one month and 3 months later. At these visits your progress will be evaluated and minor problems are taken care of. Once the immediate postoperative follow-up is complete you come back for periodic checkups to observe and discuss the long-term results of surgery.
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Will I be able to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery?
Due to original condition itself your chances of breast feeding are not assured. Your chances of breast feeding may remain same or reduce after breast reduction surgery. A lot of women have breastfed after this surgery but there is no guarantee that you will be able to do so.
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Are there methods available to reduce the scarring?
Scars can be improved by creams, gels and taping for 3-6 months. Excessively prominent scars can be revised surgically after 6 months.
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Is there a way to do breast reduction surgery without scars?
Liposuction surgery can remove fat but not the gland part so breasts can be reduced to some extent by liposuction through small holes but big reduction is not possible by this method. Breasts also will sag after liposuction.
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I have lumps in my arm pits? What are these? What is the treatment?
Some girls or women have swelling under the armpits which is nothing but enlargement of breast tissue in the tail region. The breast tissue present in this region is called as ‘Axillary tail of Spence’. Theses causes discomfort and are visible with tight fitting clothes. They can be excised or liposuction can be performed to remove them.
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Is there a risk of breast cancer in future after breast reduction?
Breast reduction surgery does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Depending on your age, or if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, you may be required to get baseline mammogram before surgery.
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