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Everything You Need to Know About Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction is one of the most common cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries women can undergo to alleviate physical discomfort, improve their posture, and achieve an hourglass figure.
Breast reduction is also called reduction mammoplasty. If you are one of the women who has been contemplating the surgery but has lingering questions and concerns, this guide is for you.
In this blog, we’ll cover how breast reduction in Delhi affects your ability to breastfeed, how the surgery is performed, the recovery time, and the difference that an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon can make.
Understanding Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces the size of large breasts by removing fat, tissue, and skin. It is also called a reduction mammoplasty. Breast reduction in Delhi aims to make your breasts smaller, firmer, and more proportionate to your frame.
- Chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Difficulty exercising or finding well-fitting clothes
- Poor posture due to large, heavy breasts
The goal of breast reduction is not only to reshape the breasts but also to restore comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
Can Breast Reduction Affect Breastfeeding Ability?
The answer depends largely on the surgical technique used, the amount of tissue removed, and the skill of the surgeon.
Breastfeeding is possible after breast reduction, but certain factors influence the outcome:
1. Preservation of the Milk Ducts and Nerves
Breastfeeding babies depend on the connection between the milk-producing glands (lobules), the milk ducts, the nipples, and the nerves that trigger milk ejection for milk production.
If the milk ducts, nerves, and lobules are undamaged or not removed during the surgery, the chances of being able to breastfeed are significantly higher. With modern plastic surgery methods, the nipple-areolar complex is usually kept attached to the underlying breast tissue so that these connections remain intact.
2. Type of Surgical Technique Used
Different surgical approaches affect breastfeeding differently:
- Inferior Pedicle Technique:
In this technique, the connection between the nipple and milk ducts is preserved. As such, this technique is more likely to let you breastfeed successfully after recovery.
- Free Nipple Graft Technique:
With this technique, the nipple is entirely removed and then reattached to the breast. When a nipple is removed, it severs the milk ducts and nerves. As a result, breastfeeding is no longer a possibility.
- Vertical or Short-Scar Techniques:
These are modern, minimally invasive methods of removing tissues that also preserve the integrity of the milk ducts. These methods offer the best breastfeeding success rates.
3. Time Since Surgery
While surgical breast reduction can cause a lot of stress on the milk ducts, nerves, and lobules, the body is often able to reestablish partial connections over time. As a result, women who have had breast reduction surgery several years before pregnancy have better success rates than those who have had a baby shortly after breast reduction surgery in India.
What the Research Says
According to various studies, 60–80% of women who have breast reduction surgery will be able to breastfeed their babies to some extent. Keep in mind that your surgeon has a significant influence on your post-surgery breastfeeding ability.
Your ability to produce milk will depend on the surgical method your surgeon used as well as how you heal. Although most women with reduction mammoplasty will not be able to produce milk to feed their babies completely, you may be able to partially breastfeed and supplement with formula feeding.
Tips to Improve Breastfeeding Success After Breast Reduction
If you have had breast reduction surgery in Delhi and would still like to breastfeed your baby, here are a few steps you can take to improve your chances:
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Inform Your Lactation Consultant:
A lactation consultant can design a personalized plan for you based on your surgery and the extent of the reduction.
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Frequent Feeding or Pumping:
Try to feed or pump every two to three hours after birth. This should encourage your body to produce milk.
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Monitor Baby’s Weight:
Work with your baby’s pediatrician to monitor his or her weight. The pediatrician will tell you if the baby is gaining enough weight or if you need to supplement breast milk with formula.
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Stay Hydrated and Eat Well:
Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support your milk production.
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Use Breast Compression Techniques:
Encourage milk flow with breast compression during breastfeeding.
Recovery Timeline After Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction recovery takes time. Even though most women resume their daily activities within a couple of weeks, the entire recovery process may take several months.
Here’s what you can expect:
1. Immediately After Surgery (Days 1–3):
Immediately after breast reduction surgery in India, there will be mild pain, swelling, and tightness in the breasts and upper chest area. Dressings and a compressive bra are applied to keep the breasts in place and minimize swelling. Small drainage tubes may also be inserted in the breasts temporarily to drain the fluid.
2. The First Week:
The pain may be treated with the pain medication your surgeon prescribed. Most patients are usually able to return to normal activities a few days after surgery. However, you should avoid any strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, bending, or exercise.
3. Two to Three Weeks Post-Surgery:
Bruising and swelling start to subside at this stage. If the surgeon used dissolvable stitches, these would fall off on their own. Your surgeon may also remove the stitches at this time if you are not using dissolvable ones. Patients can resume light work or school activities at this point, although you should still avoid vigorous exercise.
4. One to Two Months:
By this point, the breasts will start to settle into their new position. The scars may be pink or raised and feel slightly rough to the touch. Keep wearing your support bra as directed by your surgeon.
5. Three to Six Months:
Swelling will continue to subside over this period. The breasts will start to achieve their final shape and size. The scars will also start to fade. You should have been able to resume most physical activities at this point with your surgeon’s approval.
6. Long-Term (After 6 Months):
The final results of your surgery should have set in by this point, and the breasts are now at their lightest weight. The scars will fade and soften, leaving a natural appearance.
Breast reduction surgery in Delhi is a transformative process that can take many women’s lives to the next level, both emotionally and physically. Although breast reduction surgery may slightly compromise breastfeeding ability, many women are still able to breastfeed their children after the surgery. The success of this process is often contingent on modern surgical techniques and the plastic surgeon’s skill.
If you are in Delhi and you are looking for an experienced plastic surgeon for your breast reduction surgery, consult Dr. Shobhit Gupta at Shobhit Aesthetics clinic.
