Our Process for Breast Reduction Surgery

Your initial consultation visit

What are my options?
No treatment: The decision to proceed to breast reduction is purely elective. You should feel no pressure to decide to have a breast reduction simply because you have consulted a surgeon. Equally, in most cases, the result of surgery will not be significantly altered if you decide to delay your decision (even if you delay many years).
Surgery: Your breast reduction procedure will be individually planned and formulated for you. There are many different techniques available each of which has a place in helping individual women. All techniques remove fat and glandular tissue from your breasts. When a significant amount of tissue is removed or the nipple has to be repositioned skin will also need to be removed. This requires an incisions to be made on your breasts and, therefore, permanent scars will be present.
Liposuction alone can be considered for breast reduction in some cases. The drawback of liposuction as a standalone procedure is that it may not provide the repositioning of the nipple and the reshaping of the breast which is desired.
Limited scar /Vertical breast reduction: Where possible limited incision procedures may be used (this normally still involves an incision around the nipple and a vertical incision). Some women with particularly large breasts also require an incision placed in the fold under the breast to remove the excess, stretched, skin from underneath the breast.

Before your breast reduction?

How should I prepare for surgery?

What will the day of surgery be like?
Your breast reduction surgery may be performed in Cabrini Hospital, Malvern or Knox Private Hospital, Wantirna.
Your breast reduction will be performed under general anaesthesia. We will discuss this at your consultation. Your specialist anaesthetist will meet you prior to your procedure and will discuss the specific anaesthetic plan with you at that time. Immediately before your surgery I will measure your breasts and mark your skin with a marking pen.

After your breast reduction?

Postop Garments

Postop medications

Activity levels immediately after surgery
The first three to five days following surgery you will feel drained, swollen and uncomfortable (but not in severe pain). You will be able to supervise around home but will not be feeling up to participating much.
Driving?
You will not be able to drive your car following surgery until your incisions are healed and you feel comfortable. This takes seven to ten days in most cases. We will give you guidance in this area.
Work?
How long it is before you return to work will be very dependent on the type of work you perform. If you are involved in administrative desk bound work you may be able to return to work within 2 weeks.

Postop visits
We will keep in close contact with you following your procedure to reassure you and answer any questions you may have. Your first office visit will typically be two to five days after the procedure. We will see you as frequently as necessary after this.