To schedule an initial consultation with our experienced surgeon for breast reduction surgery, please contact our Sydney-area practise.

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Breast Reduction Surgery with Natural-looking Results

Breast reduction surgery at our Sydney practice is performed to reduce the size of the breasts and improve the shape and position of the breasts on the chest wall. Overly large breasts can be a problem for both young and middle-aged women because of discomfort and sagging as well as back, neck and shoulder pain. Breast reduction surgery has a high level of patient satisfaction as it is able to relieve physical discomfort and improve self-image. Breast reduction surgery can help self-esteem and lifestyle issues, allowing women to engage in activities or sports as they like, wear the types of clothing they desire, improve relationships, or simply avoid embarrassment.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction surgery requires a thorough evaluation of your breasts and how they relate to your overall body size and shape. At your initial consultation Dr Norris will discuss your goals and desires, how your disproportionately large breasts impact your lifestyle, and ultimately how you would like your breasts to look. The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes two to three hours with a further two to three hours for recovery. The results are long lasting and it is highly unlikely that the breasts would ever return to their original size.

There are a number of techniques used for breast reduction. They all involve removing some skin and breast tissue, reshaping the remaining breast tissue and moving the nipple and areola. The technique used determines where the incisions are made. Dr Norris has trained extensively in the use of short-scar techniques which are aimed at minimising the amount and length of the scars.

Recovery from Breast Reduction Surgery

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after breast reduction surgery. Swelling and bruising are common and usually subside within one or two weeks. Many patients report tightness of the breasts after surgery, but usually very little pain. Most stitches will be removed after five to nine days and tape is applied to the incisions for six weeks. After breast reduction surgery, it is important to wear a support bra 24 hours a day (unless showering) for the first five to six weeks to maintain shape, improve healing and ensure long-lasting results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many women have been pleased to find that breast reduction surgery reduces pain in the shoulders, neck and back as well as discomfort during physical activity. In addition, it can greatly improve posture, appearance and self-esteem. Incision placement has changed over the years and modern techniques ensure scars are barely noticeable. A recent trend has been to make the horizontal incision under the breast as small as possible or even to completely omit this incision (Dr Norris specialises in this technique which is known as a vertical short-scar breast reduction).

Will I lose any feeling in my breasts after breast reduction surgery?

Modern techniques of breast reduction surgery concentrate on preservation of the nerves to the breast. It is very uncommon to lose any feeling in the breasts after breast reduction surgery. In fact, many people report heightened pleasurable sensation in the nipple-areola region after surgery.

I am only 22 but I have always had very large breasts. Is breastfeeding possible after breast reduction?

Over 95 percent of patients can breastfeed after breast reduction surgery as the ducts leading from the breast gland to the nipple are preserved in the surgery. The five percent or so who cannot breastfeed after breast reduction surgery probably would not have been able to breastfeed anyway whether they had had surgery or not.

How much time would I need off work?

Everyone is different however most people spend one night in hospital and are back at work within seven to 10 days after breast reduction surgery.

Where are the scars placed and will other people be able to tell my breasts have been reduced?

The drawback of breast reduction surgery can be the resulting incisions on the breast. Dr Norris has trained extensively in the use of short-scar techniques which means that in most cases the scars will be limited to one around the areola and another vertical one passing down to the breast crease (the Lollipop scar).

Is there any way for me to reduce the impact of the scarring?

The incisions will remain red then fade to a pink colour over the first six to nine months and will eventually become a silvery/white colour. The nature of the incisions can be improved by wearing tape over the incisions or by using silastic gel sheeting. There is currently no known way to perform breast reduction surgery without making incisions.

My breasts are actually saggy rather than large. Is there anything I can do about this?

It is a very common procedure to lift sagging breasts (this is also called a mastopexy). In this procedure, it is not necessary to remove breast tissue and it may be desirable to augment the breast at the same time. The incisions used for breast lift surgery are often smaller than those used for breast reduction surgery.

Is it true that breasts can get bigger again after breast reduction surgery?

It is highly unusual for breasts to get larger again after breast reduction surgery. The removal of fat and breast glandular tissue is permanent. If you put on a significant amount of weight it is possible that your breasts will also enlarge but the breasts will not enlarge by themselves.

Are there any risks of breast cancer being stirred up by breast surgery?

No. In fact, there is evidence that the incidence of breast cancer is decreased by breast reduction surgery. This is because some breast glandular tissue that could potentially become cancerous is removed. A twin who has breast reduction surgery has less risk of breast cancer than the twin who did not have surgery.

How long after having my breasts made smaller would I be able to get back to exercise?

A gradual return to exercise would involve returning to brisk walking within two to three days of surgery progressing to light jogging after around about 10 days. It would take up to six weeks before returning to vigorous swimming, upper body gym work and tennis. Patients who have breast reduction surgery find they are far more comfortable jogging and playing sport.

Are there any alternatives to surgery to make breasts smaller?

It is possible to make a minor decrease in breast size using liposuction but this is not always effective as many breasts have fairly tough tissue which is resistant to removal via liposuction.

What do men think of breast reduction surgery and do they find it a turnoff?

Ultimately the decision to have breast reduction surgery is your own. There are undoubtedly some males who are breast focused in terms of "the bigger the breast size the better". However the vast majority of men prefer what would be considered to be average or normal. It would be most unusual to hear any male say they have found breast reduction surgery a turnoff.

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Schedule a Breast Reduction Surgery Consultation

Dr Benjamin Norris uses the latest techniques to provide outstanding breast reduction surgery to patients from Sydney and around Australia. At Silkwood Medical, we also offer breast reduction surgery to men suffering from gynaecomastia, or enlarged male breasts. To learn more about breast reduction surgery or to schedule an appointment, please contact Silkwood Medical today.

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