What Happens During a Breast Reduction?

Do you have sagging breasts that make you feel like you look older than you are? Do you feel like your breasts look disproportionately large to the rest of your body? Do you have neck, shoulder, or back pain due to the weight of your breasts? If so, a breast reduction at DrYoungForever in San Antonio, TX may be right for you. Read on if you want to learn more about what you can expect.

What Happens During a Breast Reduction?

During a breast reduction, Dr. Robert N. Young will make carefully placed incisions on your breasts. To ensure optimal results, these incisions will be made around the areola, inside the inframammary fold, and down the middle of the breast. One advantage of these incision locations is that they can also be used for a breast lift. Another advantage is that they are mostly inconspicuous while they are healing.

Through the incisions, excess tissue will be removed. Most of this will be breast tissue. However, any excess skin you may have and a small amount of localized fat will be removed. Furthermore, the nipple and areola are usually lifted to make the breasts look younger and perkier. To reiterate, breast skin can also be lifted during this procedure through these incisions. Once your excess tissues have been removed, the incisions will be sutured closed.

What Happens Before Surgery? 

Prior to surgery, you must attend an initial evaluation with Dr. Young to verify that you qualify. If you are experiencing pain or any other discomfort in your neck, back, or shoulders, there is an excellent chance you will qualify. There is also a very good chance you will be considered a good fit for this procedure if you feel emotional discomfort due to the size of your breasts. You need to be in good health to qualify for surgery, though.

Be prepared to advise Dr. Young on your medical history so he can verify that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery safely. Don’t forget to mention any medications you have taken recently and the dose you took. You may need to stop taking certain medications temporarily, and you need to take an antibiotic an hour before surgery.

What Other Preparation Steps Will I Need To Take? 

Another vital preparation step you must take prior to surgery is to stop smoking, consuming other tobacco products, and drinking alcohol. Avoiding alcohol and nicotine consumption is so important because these substances can increase your blood pressure to the point that surgery will be unsafe for you. It is also vital that you do not eat or drink for several hours prior to surgery. Your stomach needs to be empty when you get the general anesthesia.

Additionally, it is a very good idea that you wear comfortable clothes that are easy to remove and put on. Wearing a button-down shirt is a much better idea than wearing a shirt you have to pull over your head. Alternatively, you can wear a dress that you can step into. Moreover, you need to make sure that you have someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least 24 hours post-op.

What Should I Expect On the Day of My Procedure? 

On the day of your procedure, your vitals will be taken to verify that you are still healthy enough to undergo surgery. After that, your breasts will be sanitized with an alcohol-based cleanser. Additionally, general anesthesia will be administered to ensure that your entire procedure remains comfortable.

What Happens After Surgery? 

Once your procedure is complete, you will be observed for a period of time to ensure you awaken normally from the general anesthesia. Once you are alert, your recovery instructions will be reviewed again, and you are free to be driven home. Remember, you may not drive within 24 hours of being sedated with general anesthesia, and you may need to go even longer without driving depending on the oral analgesics you take during your recovery.

If you take prescription opioids during your recovery, you will not be able to drive until 24 hours after you have taken your last painkiller. As a general rule, you should spend the first week of your recovery in your home. You can take 10- to 30-minute daily walks around your home or yard, but most of your time should be spent sitting up in bed hydrating and relaxing.  

How Long Will I Need To Take Off From Work? 

You should schedule at least a week off from work in addition to the day of your procedure. You should also let your supervisor know that you may need an additional week to recover. Whether you can get back to work one or two weeks after surgery depends on whether you only get a reduction, how well you care for yourself post-op, and other factors.

How Soon Will I Be Able To Enjoy the Results of My Procedure? 

You may discover that your back, neck, and shoulders feel better shortly after surgery. However, it will be at least a month before you can fully enjoy the results of your procedure. During the first month post-op, you will need to wear a surgical bra 24/7 except for when you bathe. Wearing this surgical bra for as long as possible helps to facilitate rapid healing and mitigate the risk of edema and infection.

In some cases, wearing a surgical bra is necessary for four months post-op. The better you care for yourself after your procedure, the sooner you will be able to go shopping for cuter bras that better support and accentuate your smaller bust. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to lose anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of your current breast volume. Therefore, you should buy a surgical bra that is a cup size or two smaller than you currently wear.

When Will I Be Able To Bathe After Surgery? 

You can generally expect to be able to bathe safely six to eight weeks after your procedure. Six weeks after your breast reduction, you will attend a follow-up appointment to evaluate how well your incisions and drain sites are healing. If they have healed fully at the six-week post-op mark, you will be able to take a bath.

During the first 48 hours post-op, you will not be able to shower. After that point, taking a warm or cool shower is acceptable. You should not take a hot shower because doing so may irritate your incisions. It is highly advisable that you limit your showers to 10 minutes and have your loved one keep an eye on you.  

How Should I Sleep After Surgery? 

It is a very good idea to sleep on your back with your head and chest elevated during the first four to six weeks post-op. If you sleep on your side or stomach, there is a possibility that your breasts will be subjected to too much pressure, causing your incisions to heal more slowly. If you sleep with your chest elevated, the fluid will drain a lot better, and your recovery will go faster.

If you don’t have a recliner to sleep in, consider sleeping with two or three pillows under your neck. This simultaneously elevates your head and drastically reduces the likelihood that you will roll over in your sleep. You need to sleep at least seven hours nightly during your recovery. If you have trouble falling asleep, take melatonin before bed and minimize your exposure to blue light for an hour before you go to bed.

How Long Will the Results of My Procedure Last? 

You can generally expect to enjoy the results of your procedure for the rest of your life. However, exceptions apply. For example, your breasts may grow too large after surgery if you become pregnant. As another example, the position of your areolas and nipples may lower due to age-related skin sagging.

Discover How You Can Achieve Your Ideal Contours Today

During a breast reduction, an incision is made discreetly on the breast, and excess tissue is removed. Mostly, breast tissue is removed. However, skin and fat can be removed during surgery, too. If you think smaller, perkier breasts will improve your self-confidence, contact us now at DrYoungForever in San Antonio, TX to schedule your initial consultation.