Breast Reduction Sydney

Chronic neck, shoulder and back pain, skin irritation and chaffing, poor posture and an inability to move and exercise freely are just some of the issues associated with carrying heavy breasts. Fortunately, Breast Reduction surgery, also known as Reduction Mammaplasty, can help minimise or eliminate these concerns — while also improving aesthetic outcomes, giving you back a breast size and shape that is more proportionate to your body.

Breast Reduction Before & After Images

The displayed before and after pictures are provided as an educational tool to demonstrate some of the results achievable from plastic surgery. All surgeries on this page are performed by Dr Eddy Dona and are published with the written consent by the patients

VIEW BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY

WHAT IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

Breast Reduction surgery, also known as Reduction Mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that helps patients eliminate pain caused by large breasts and achieve their desired breast appearance. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and can take several hours. During the procedure, excess breast tissue and skin are removed while the breast is lifted and reshaped.

BENEFITS OF BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY

Most women undergo Breast Reduction surgery for health or medical reasons. By decreasing the size and weight of your breasts, you may experience the following benefits:

Improved size, shape and symmetry
Improved posture and decrease in spinal pain — particularly in the back, neck and shoulders
An elimination of permanent indentation marks on the shoulders due to wearing a thick supportive bra carrying heavy breasts
No more pain in the breast tissue
An ability to enjoy sports and physical activities again
Balanced breast shape–if one breast was larger than the other
Reduced skin irritation–now that heavy breasts have been reduced in size and volume

HOW IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY PERFORMED?

Breast Reduction surgery is performed in hospital under general anaesthesia. Dr Dona uses various techniques, depending on the size and shape of your breasts, the amount of skin tissue that needs to be removed, the quality of the skin and positioning of the nipples and areolas—and your personal objectives. With these issues in mind, Dr Dona will recommend one of the following techniques:

Anchor Scar Technique

The anchor-shaped scar technique is the most common technique used for Breast Reduction. This procedure is suitable for most moderate to large reductions. It involves incisions around the breast that create an anchor-like Breast Reduction scar. This includes circumferential scars around the areola, a vertical scar down the lower edge of the areola to the breast fold, and then horizontally along the natural curve of the breast. Once all skin and tissue are removed, the areola and nipple are lifted to a higher position and then stitched to reshape the breast.

Lollipop Scar Technique (Vertical Lift)

As the name suggests, this procedure leaves patients with a lollipop-like scar. An incision is made around the areola, and a vertical incision is created down to the breast fold. This procedure is best suited for mild to moderate breast reductions.

Circumareolar Scar Technique (Doughnut Lift)

This technique results in one scar around the areola. However, it can leave the breast looking flat and doesn’t allow for a significant lift of the breast tissue. This technique (aka the Benelli or Doughnut Technique) is best suited for those wanting minimal reductions. Hence, it is mainly used in small Breast Lifts that don’t require any breast volume or weight reduction.

A word on nipples and areolas…

The nipples and areolas remain attached to their blood and nerve supply while being repositioned in almost all breast reduction procedures. However, if the breasts are extremely large and the areolas and nipples are near waist level, then they may need to be surgically removed and grafted into the new position. This should only be considered by women who no longer want to breastfeed, as the procedure will result in an inability to do so, along with a change in nipple appearance and sensation.

YOUR INITIAL BREAST REDUCTION CONSULTATION WITH DR DONA

Your Initial Consultation with Dr Dona will be held at our Sydney plastic surgery clinic. During this time, you can discuss your concerns and objectives. Dr Dona will also assess your medical history, including all medications you are taking. Then, he’ll perform a physical examination before considering your objectives and advising you of your options. Dr Dona will discuss the Breast Reduction procedure, including the usual post-operative course and potential risks. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions during this time.

BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY: WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY

The hospital will call you the day before your surgery to let you know when to arrive at the hospital, along with any presurgical requirements, such as when to begin fasting. Once you arrive at the hospital, you’ll check in with the reception staff and then be taken to the presurgical waiting area, where you will be officially checked in for your surgery. Then, the theatre staff will make you as comfortable as possible while waiting to proceed to the operating room.

Before your procedure, you’ll be taken into the theatre anaesthetic bay. Here, you’ll meet your anaesthetist, who will discuss issues around your anaesthetic and medications you’ll receive after surgery to keep you as comfortable as possible. You’ll also see Dr Dona, who will make his tentative surgical markings on you, have a final chat about the surgery and remind you what to expect when you wake up.

What do Breast Reduction scars look like?

There is a variety of techniques used in Breast Reduction surgery, so not all Breast Reduction scars are the same. The most common technique for Breast Reduction (for women seeking moderate to large reductions) is the Anchor Scar Technique. This leaves the patient with a scar that looks like an anchor. There is a circle around the areola, a vertical line that travels from the areola to the breast fold, and a horizontal scar that sits in the breast fold. If women are seeking mild-to-moderate breast reductions, often, the lollipop scar technique is used, leaving them with a scar that looks like a lollipop. There is a circle around the areola and a vertical line travelling down towards the breast fold. Finally, there is the Circumareolar Scar Technique for women seeking only a small breast lift. The scar is simply a thin line around the areolas.

What is the difference between a Breast Reduction, Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation?

Typically, a Breast Reduction minimises the size and volume of the breast and lifts the breasts so that they are lighter, sit higher (lifted), and are more in proportion to the rest of the body. The results of this procedure also reduce or eradicate medical issues such as back pain or skin irritation. Every Breast Reduction provides a Breast Lift, but Breast Lifts are not Breast Reductions. A Breast Lift is an operation that is performed to lift and reshape the breasts without reducing their size. Breast Lift surgery typically has the same scar patterns as a Breast Reduction.

Breast Augmentation is aimed at enlarging the size of the breasts using silicone implants. However, we occasionally perform a BIO Lift™ (Breast Implant Only Lift) capable of lifting the breast without its typical trademark scars. Instead, an implant is inserted under the breast fold, lifting the breast without additional incisions. Therefore, it’s often called a “Scarless Breast Lift”.

BREAST REDUCTION RECOVERY INSTRUCTIONS

Before your surgery, you will receive detailed written instructions for pre- and post-operative surgery.

Many of our breast reduction patients can go home the same day of surgery, while others will be required to stay in hospital for one to two days.

WHEN YOU WAKE UP FROM SURGERY

Two plastic tubes or drains are usually placed adjacent to your wounds on your left and right sides.

You have at least one drip in place to give you intravenous fluids, pain control medication and antibiotics.

You will also have nasal prongs or an oxygen mask to give you supplemental oxygen.

You will be fitted into a surgical bra. This may help control the swelling and reduce discomfort.
All your wounds are covered using waterproof dressings. The wounds are stitched using several layers of internal dissolving sutures. You may have some visible sutures – these will be removed at your one-week post-op appointment.
If you are staying in a hospital, the hospital nurse or physiotherapist will help you out of bed the day after surgery.
Before being discharged from hospital, your drains and drips are removed. However, if you are going home the same day as the surgery, then any drains you have will be removed the following day at your first clinic post-operative appointment.

It is recommended that you have someone with you at home for at least the first few days for general day-to-day care.
When you get home, gentle mobilisation is vital to prevent post-operative complications. However, do not expect too much of yourself.

PAIN AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

It is essential to know that everyone has a different experience after surgery, from negligible pain to significant discomfort.
The surgical pain and heaviness in the chest will typically cause you to take shallow breaths. Therefore, it is essential to consciously take 5-10 slow, deep breaths every hour. This will help prevent any lung complications.
When you leave the hospital, you will be given pain medications and antibiotics – please take them as prescribed.

SWELLING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

After surgery, expect a lot of swelling. A significant amount of the initial swelling will be gone in the first one to two weeks. The amount of swelling can differ slightly from one side to the other; if there is a significant difference between breasts, you must contact the clinic.
Your breasts will usually be very full and swollen in the upper pole and sometimes appear very tight or ‘flat’ along the underboob. This often creates a ‘boxy’, square look to your underboob. Do not stress; this will slowly settle over time and typically requires a fair amount of scar massage to help the settling process.

SHOWERING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

When you get home, you will be able to have quick showers. Leave any dressings intact and ensure you pat them dry.
DO NOT have baths or swim until at least three weeks after surgery.
Leave your dressings intact until your first post-operative appointment. Your first op appointment will be with the practice nurse, where your wounds will be inspected, your post-op treatments to optimise recovery commence and your dressings changed.

SLEEPING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Most patients will find sleeping on their back slightly elevated or in a recliner chair for the first few days after surgery to be the most comfortable. You may need assistance getting up and down for the first few days.

RETURNING TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Walking – You can mobilise gently from Day 1 after surgery – be guided by your body and keep it short. At two weeks post-op, you can do basic cardio training, including walking on a treadmill and stationary bike work, but avoid any weighted workouts (including lower body workouts).
Driving – You should not consider driving for the first two weeks after surgery. After this time, you should only drive if you feel safe doing so.
Returning to Work – You can return to a light office or desk work environment no sooner than one week after surgery. Light hospitality work may be possible at three weeks. Any employment that involves heavy lifting or straining must be avoided for at least four weeks.
Normal Exercise – At four weeks post-surgery, you can gradually return to normal training and physical activities.
Consider the first four weeks after surgery as RECOVERY, and after four weeks, consider all activities as REHABILITATION. Undertake any physical activities you wish to do and be guided by your comfort and strength, which will slowly improve.
Back to Normal – It will take at least six months to feel ‘normal’ and do everything you could before surgery.

BRAS & CLOTHING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

You will need to continuously wear your surgical bra, or a similar fitting bra, for the first six weeks. Of course, you can take it off for showering and on certain occasions, for brief periods. After six weeks, once most of the surgical swelling has resolved, you can be formally fitted for new bras.

SEXUAL ACTIVITY AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

You can return to sexual activity at any stage with the following understanding:
- You should avoid activities that increase your heart rate and blood pressure during the first couple of weeks, as this can increase the risk of swelling or bleeding problems.
- Your wounds or adjacent surgical areas should not be firmly handled or vigorously manipulated for the first four weeks.
- If you engage in sexual activity during the first four weeks, you need to take on a very passive role.
- Remember that you should not undertake any physical activities where you must strain, exert, or stretch your upper body muscles for the first four weeks.

You may experience different sensations and feelings in your breasts, chest, armpits and arms, including numbness, pins and needles, shooting pains, tightness or burning sensations – most of these will gradually resolve over the first six weeks. It is normal to experience permanent patches of numbness adjacent to the scars.

It is common for the nipples to be highly sensitive or have no sensation after surgery. The sensation usually returns to a normal/pre-surgery state within the first 12 months. However, at least 10% of patients will end up with permanently altered nipple sensation.

REDUCING THE RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS (DVTS) AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

During your surgery, and if you remain in hospital overnight, you will also have special massage devices on both legs that promote blood flow and are designed to minimise the chance of clots developing in your leg veins.

While in hospital, you are encouraged to do simple foot exercises such as tapping your feet or wriggling your toes. This is designed to activate your calf muscles and promote blood flow, and it is another vital measure to help reduce the risk of blood clots.
While in hospital, all patients are given an injection of a blood thinner (clexane) once daily. This also serves the same purpose of helping to minimise blood clot issues.
Mobilising regularly and remaining well hydrated at all times is also recommended.

DIET & BOWEL HABITS AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Bloating and Constipation are very common after surgery. This is because you have just had surgery, you are less mobile and taking strong pain medication, which causes slowing of the bowels. You are encouraged to have plenty of fluids, a high-fibre diet and some gentle laxatives such as Movicol to help restore your usual bowel habits.

You will be given Movicol whilst in hospital and are encouraged to continue with the above measures at home until your normal bowel habits return.

BREAST REDUCTION: POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

All surgical procedures carry risks. To read about more general risks and complications, please go here.

While the chances of complications from general anaesthesia are very slim, you must understand that potential problems like the following can occur:

Allergic reaction – from mild to life-threatening
Anaesthesia issues – potentially affecting your lungs, heart or causing a stroke
Bleeding – early or late
Clots
- Deep vein clots – these can potentially spread to the lungs and be life-threatening. We perform several activities during and after surgery to help minimise the risk of this occurring.
- Superficial vein clots – a complication of the cannula or drip that is placed in your vein
Death – although the chances of death are exceedingly rare, any of the issues listed here can result in this surgical complication.
Wound problems – for example, infection and breakdown

NB: The above Breast Reduction potential complications are typical for any operation; however, some procedures and patients have an increased risk of developing them.

Complications specific to Breast Reduction Surgery may include:

Asymmetry of breast size and shape – all breasts have some slight asymmetry. Those with significant asymmetry issues will be addressed during your surgery; however, slight ‘normal’ asymmetry will exist post-operatively.
Bottoming out – due to the nature of the breast tissue and inherent heaviness, the natural breast tissue can continue to drop after surgery, resulting in very ‘bottom heavy’ breasts with nipples that sometimes point upwards.
Breast tissue softness and ‘sagginess’ – while Breast Reduction surgery can reduce the shape and volume of your breast tissue, it can never make soft breast tissue firm. Further, soft breast tissue does not maintain its shape as well as firm breast tissue. Therefore, maintaining a fuller upper half of the breasts in these situations is generally not possible.
Breast lumps – these are uncommon and likely caused by a small collection of blood or dead fat cells that are still healing. If lumps do occur, they generally resolve on their own over time.
Excess skin – in extremely large breasts, excess breast tissue and skin sometimes remain under the armpits. These may warrant further surgery to improve the appearance.
Inability to breastfeed – there is a reduced potential to breastfeed after Breast Reduction surgery.
Loss of nipple and areola tissue – this is a rare occurrence when the nipple and areola lose blood supply. Reconstructive surgery can be performed at a later time to correct this issue. Smoking or chewing any nicotine product significantly increases the risk of this occurrence.
Loss of sensation in the nipple and areola – if this occurs, it is usually temporary, with sensations typically returning over several months. In some cases (up to 10 %), the situation becomes permanent. Occasionally, the nipple sensation can become too sensitive and uncomfortable, and this can also be permanent.
Scarring – all surgery leaves scarring, and the scar itself can have an unpredictable healing response. We aim to provide the best possible scar that your genetics allow.

How much does Breast Reduction surgery cost In Sydney?

The cost of Breast Reduction surgery is broken down in three ways:

Complexity – will it take two hours or five?
Hospital stay – will you need an overnight stay in hospital?
Private Health Insurance – will your health insurance cover some of your hospital fees?

We understand that not being given a ballpark figure can be frustrating. Rest assured, after your Initial Consultation with Dr Dona, you’ll receive a breakdown of all costs and potential rebates from Medicare and your Private Health Insurance, if applicable.

Does Medicare cover Breast Reduction surgery?

Medicare covers Breast Reduction procedures if it’s clear that the volume and heaviness of your breasts are causing you health problems. If so, specific item numbers may apply. Please speak to Dr Dona during your Initial Consultation to find out more.

Does Private Health Insurance cover Breast Reduction surgery?

Although Breast Reduction is an elective surgery, if your objective is to relieve the pain or health problems related to excessively large breasts, Medicare may cover some of the fees, along with your Private Health Fund. Importantly, Health Insurance Funds will only cover fees if Medicare has deemed it necessary. Typically, you would need to have the highest level of coverage with your fund.

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