Mammary Reduction

Mammary reduction is a cosmetic surgery aiming at lifting the breast and reducing its volume by removing the excess of skin and mammary gland. The areola and the nipple are lifted up. A reduction surgery is covered by health insurance if more than 300g are removed by breast. If it is not the case, the surgery is not covered.

The scars

The scar can be divided into 3 parts: 

• a regular circular scar around the areola.
• a frequent vertical scar between the areola and the bottom fold of the breast.
• a horizontal scar in the bottom fold of the breast (reverse T). This horizontal scar may be reduced or avoided depending on the breast morphology and the skin elasticity.

Before the procedure

2 cosmetic surgery consultations are mandatory before any cosmetic surgery operation.

A preoperative mammogram is mandatory for women over 35 or with risk factors for breast cancer.
An anaesthesia consultation before the operation is mandatory. You need to bring the results of the blood test prescribed during the consultation (blood count, serum iron level). Medical photographs are taken.

An elastic sport bra without armature and with a front opening is prescribed. If the operation is not covered by health insurance, you will need to stop working during 10 weeks after surgery and work stoppage cannot be prescribed. In case of major mammary hypertrophy, work stoppages and charges are covered by health insurance.
Here are the most important medical advice:
Stop smoking 1 month before the surgery to reduce the risks for skin and/or areolar necrosis.
No aspirin-based, anti-inflammatory medication or oral anticoagulants should be taken during the 15 days preceding the operation to reduce the risks of bleeding.
No oral contraception 1 month before the operation to reduce the thrombo-embolic risks.

The procedure

• The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts between 1h30 and 3h.
• The admission is made the day before or the morning of the operation and you can return home the day after the surgery.
• You must fast (neither eat, drink or smoke) beginning at midnight the night before the operation.
• You will have to bring a medical bra the day of the procedure.

After the procedure

• You will be monitored in the recovery room and in your room. A suction drainage system is usually placed to reduce the risks for bruises. It is usually kept between 1 and 2 days, depending on its production. The bandage is removed the day after the operation. A light bandage will be placed and you will be asked to wear the bra without armatures prescribed prior to the operation. You need to wear it day and night during 2 weeks after the operation. Hospitalization lasts between 1 and 2 days. It is recommended that someone takes you back home. Stitches are generally dissolvable and you can have a shower from the day after the operation. Several follow-up consultations are realised: in the 7 days after the surgery, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the surgery.
• Mammary reduction may reduce areola sensitivity, sometimes permanently. Every surgery can imply risks and complications.
• Regarding routine screening for breast cancer, breast monitoring by mammogram is not affected or slightly affected by the mammoplasty.
• A reference mammography a few months after surgery is recommended.
• You will need to stop working during about 15 days. A sport activity can be done again within 2 months after surgery. The final result can be appreciated 6 months after the operation regarding the breast volume and shape. The scars will take their final appearance 12 months after the operation.
• In case of isolated vertical scar, breasts are not harmoniously shaped during the first weeks after surgery. You should not be surprised about it, breast will take its natural shape two months after surgery.
• Avoid pregnancies during 2 years after the surgery to preserve the result of the procedure. Breast feeding after surgery is possible in most of the cases but cannot be guaranteed.