If you have very large breasts, a reduction will feel like a weight lifted off your chest!
Breast reduction gives women relief from relentless neck, shoulder, and back pain. It also makes exercising easier, stops chest rashes, and gives a new lease of life.
However, before you commit to the procedure you need to research the potential risks and weigh up the pros and cons. Like any medical procedure, it’s important to carefully consider your options before going all in!
Here are the top things to know before you get a consultation.
Table of Contents
The Procedure Will Lift Your Breasts
You Will Need To Rest For Weeks
It Isn’t As Painful As Breast Augmentation
Your Insurance Provider May Cover The Cost
You Might Need To Lose Weight Before Your Procedure
You Might Not Get The Cup Size You Wanted
Nipple Sensation May Decrease Post Reduction
Breastfeeding May Not Be Possible After a Reduction
Your Self Esteem Will Improve
Many focus on the physical benefits of breast reduction. While these are extremely important and the main reason women get a breast reduction, you can’t ignore the mental benefits too.
Having a body that you don’t feel ashamed of does wonders for your mental health and self-image. Instead of going through life hiding your chest because you’re embarrassed, you can get dressed every day without a second thought. You’ll be able to access new clothes, you may go down a dress size, and your body will look more “in-proportion” too.
The Procedure Will Lift Your Breasts
The results of your reduction surgery will make it look like you’ve had a breast lift too. This is because the surgeon has to move your nipples upwards when the excess flesh is cut away. This movement is what makes the breasts appear higher.
Over time, you may notice a little bit of sagging as the skin adjusts, and you may notice this three months after as they settle into their permanent position.
You Will Need To Rest For Weeks
Though the surgery only takes approximately three hours and women often go home the next morning or even the same day, you’ll feel sore or tired after. It’s best to book off some days from work or college to focus on your recovery.
Medical professionals will advise you to move around or do light exercise but forget any intense gym workouts. Any rigorous exercise needs to be stopped for about six weeks to a month. This may sound difficult for some, but your body will be tired, and healing. Getting a workout in will be the last thing on your mind!
It Isn’t As Painful As Breast Augmentation
A fun fact is that reduction surgeries aren’t as painful to recover from as augmentation procedures. This is because in reduction only skin and tissue are involved, whereas in a breast augmentation surgery muscle is involved and often makes the experience more painful. This is especially noticeable when the anesthetic from the operation wears off.
Your Insurance Provider May Cover The Cost
If your natural breasts are causing you physical pain (like skin or back problems), your insurance may cover the cost of the breast reduction surgery. When you have a consultation your surgeon will help you get the information needed to send to the insurance company to see if you can get it covered. It approximately takes a month for them to review the request.
You Might Need To Lose Weight Before Your Procedure
If you’re overweight, the surgeon may recommend you to diet before the operation. This is because your breasts may shrink as you lose weight, meaning you may not need a surgical procedure. This surgery isn’t always recommended for very obese patients or patients with heart diseases or diabetes.
You Might Not Get The Cup Size You Wanted
The breast reduction depends on your breast composition alongside your size. When you have an initial consultation, your surgeon will help create a plan tailored to your body. Typically, patients do down one or two sizes. Surgeons recommend certain sizes based on body proportion and this could be different from the size you have in mind.
It’s also worth noting that when your breast size is reduced, you may not go down “alphabetically”. This doesn’t mean they haven’t changed, when breasts are reduced surgeons focus on making sure your new breasts are balanced, symmetrical, and look proportional – not just a smaller cup size.
There Will Be Some Scarring
The incisions from the operation will be swollen and visible for some time post-surgery. These scars often look similar to lollipops, and these go around the nipples and then straight to the underside of your breast. While these scars will likely improve and fade in a year, they will always be there.
Nipple Sensation May Decrease Post Reduction
Many patients realize that their nipples feel numb straight after the surgery. In many cases, the sensation returns, but it usually takes one to two months. Some surgical techniques can try to protect nipple sensation, but there’s no guarantee on this. If this worries you, make sure you bring it up with your surgeon.
Breastfeeding May Not Be Possible After a Reduction
There’s no way to tell if the surgery will affect your ability to breastfeed until you try after it. The chance of complications with breastfeeding is always a possible risk, but you can’t predict who will be a victim of this side effect. Some specialists predict there is a 50/50 chance of getting this complication, but there’s no research to back this claim up. Make sure you speak to your surgeon about it before the reduction to smooth out any worries.
How Can Beautifi Help?
As always, bring any concerns up with your surgeon before the reduction. When you’re considering breast reduction surgery you need to research the best plastic surgeons and make sure that they meet your needs.
When you’re changing your appearance, you need to find reputable providers to ensure the procedure is carried out to the highest medical standards. Ask any potential surgeons for previous before and after photos of women who have a similar or the same body shape to you to gauge their work! But do remember breast reduction surgery is a common procedure and new plastic surgeons will also have good experience and knowledge of the job.
The Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!