How Painful is Breast Reduction Surgery?
“How painful is breast reduction surgery?” is one of the most common questions floating in one’s thought, especially when it is something that one is considering to opt for it due to the problems being faced by them. It is vastly common for women with large and out of proportion breasts to suffer from constant physical discomforts like neck pain, backache, shoulder pain and even emotional stress because of low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Even normal physical activities like exercising; lifting or sleeping becomes a challenge. All of these makes one wish for a way that would make them small. It is here that breast reduction surgery comes as a saving grace. But with time, it is relentlessly rising on the popularity scale with a lot of women realising and becoming aware of the benefits. However, despite the benefits attached to it, it is necessary to make an informed decision before opting for breast surgery.
WHAT IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?
It is also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a cosmetic operation/ procedure to remove the excess tissue, fat and/or skin from the breast area. It is performed to reduce the size and weight of the breast to create smaller, lighter and firmer ones. Thus, this cosmetic procedure helps in removing sagginess and improving breast symmetry. There are generally three types of breast surgery possible: the liposuction; the vertical or lollipop and the inverted-T or anchor procedure. These techniques are chosen by the surgeon, depending on the goal’s and a person’s anatomy. As this a major surgery requiring a lot of thinking for the patient before opting for it, it is imperative to know the benefits, complications and recovery rate involved in the surgery.WHAT IT INVOLVES?
Breast reduction surgeries are performed when the patient is asleep during the operation due to general anaesthesia provided. Thus, it doesn’t lead to any pain. The surgery lasts between 2-5 hours depending on the technique and the extent to which it is applied. Because the operation involves removing the excess fat; moving the nipple position and reshaping the breast tissue, one is expected to stay overnight in the hospital. Afterwards, there are dressings on the breast area with plastic tubes attached to it to drain the blood away. It is only when these tubes are removed that one gets discharged and go home. However, it is after surgery that the question HOW PAINFUL IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY? become more significant. When it comes to following up with an operative procedure, one tends to become a little apprehensive due to the pain and discomfort that might emerge as a result of the surgery. Nowadays with the advancement of technologies, the surgery itself has become not at all painful. But associating pain with the operation solely depends on the recovery process and the technique applied to perform the procedure. The more complicated and reduction in size makes the recovery rate to last a little longer than usual. However, regardless of all these hindrances, the pain mostly subsides within the first week itself. It is because the pain is typically more intense in the days that immediately follow after the surgery. But the intensity lessens to nil with the help of painkillers provided by the surgeon. There are also high chances for a patient that undergoes surgery to experience sore, tender, lumpy and even swollen breasts. All of this could last for around 3 months. And thus, to avoid feeling pain because of the breast reduction surgery, there are certain things advised by the surgeon like: Abstaining from physical activities like heavy lifting and muscle strain, Furthermore, the patient is suggested to reduce the intake of sodium and increase the intake of water to flush out all the fluids from the body. Wear surgical bras after the dressing is removed. It is suggested so as to control the painful swelling of the breasts and to hold the tissues in place to align it in the desired contour. Thus, following these precautionary measures can help and guide to avoid activities that may cause pain.RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS INVOLVED
Though having large breasts leads to many hindrances and obstacles like lowering of emotional and physical well-being, having a breast reduction that might become painful after surgery also involves certain risks if care is not taken. Thus, to avoid those it is first imperative to know what those risks are so that one can abstain from them during the recovery process.The major risks involved are:
- Scarring as a result of stitches
- Bruising and swelling
- Loss of sensation in the areola or breast area
- Allergic reactions to certain medications or anaesthesia injection
- Bleeding or infection of the connective tissue
- Collection of excess fluid in the tissue
- Delay in the healing process due to smoking
- Inability or at times difficulty to breastfeed
- Asymmetrical breasts (though small differences are present even without surgery)
