Why Consider Breast Reduction or Mastopexy Surgery with Melbourne’s Northeast Plastic Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery at NorthEast Plastic Surgery’s Melbourne practice can address:

• Excess breast size and width in relation to body proportions
• Sagging and loss of fullness in the upper part of the breast
• Descent of the nipple areolar complex

Breast reduction surgery (also known as reduction mammoplasty) is for patients who are experiencing issues with physical pain and discomfort, health issues such as infections, and/or emotional and self-image issues caused by large breasts.

Patients who seek breast reduction surgery have typically experienced:

• neck and shoulder pain
• skin infections under their breasts
• limitations in clothing choice
• self-consciousness

During the procedure, the surgeon aims to correct breast size and volume. Mastopexy (breast lift) surgery is often performed to optimise breast shape, projection, and position of the nipples whilst maintaining breast volume.

Breast Reduction and Mastopexy Consultation

Patients considering breast reduction surgery need to be aware of the adjustment that follows a significant change in appearance, as well as the reality of the post-operative recovery process and the potential risks involved in the surgery.

Aims

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss with you your expectations and identify potential limitations for achieving your desired outcomes. Individual circumstances which can affect the outcome of your surgery include:

• skin quality
• breast anatomy
• scarring from previous surgery

Two or more consultations are often required prior to breast reduction surgery to ensure you understand:

• your estimated period of recovery
• the downtime required
• your procedure
• likely results

Only once your surgeon has thoroughly assessed your case and advised you on the risks and likely outcomes of your procedure will you be able to give consent to surgery.

Medical History

It is crucial that your surgeon be made aware of any relevant medical history. In particular, your surgeon must be notified if you take any blood thinning medications or if you have a history of bruising or bleeding easily.

Your surgeon should be made aware of:

• any previous surgery
• history of scarring,
• allergies to anaesthetic agents, antibiotics and dressings
• tendency for easy bruising
• history of smoking
• tendency for excessive bleeding
• deep venous clots involving the legs
• all prescription and non-prescription medication
• psychological or psychiatric issues
• Raynaud’s Disease

Pre-operative Management

If you take blood thinning medication or agents present in other medication, further medical consultation may be necessary to properly advise on how your dosage can be managed in the leadup to your surgery. It may also be necessary to cease the oral contraceptive pill.

Patients should avoid the following two weeks prior to and after surgery:

• Aspirin
• Disprin
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as Nurofen
• Herbal medications such as garlic, ginseng, ginko, arnica and fish and krill oils

If you are a smoker, you will need to cease six weeks prior to and after surgery to minimise the risk of surgical wound complications and complications from anaesthesia.

Nicotine-containing products can also affect wound healing and should be ceased two weeks prior to and after surgery.

In some cases, your surgeon may require you undergo a blood test in order to properly assess your suitability for surgery and fitness for general anaesthesia.

Risks

When considering breast reduction surgery, your surgeon will discuss the potential for:

• problem scarring around the areolar complex and breast
• wound complications including
  • infection
  • wound breakdown
  • haematoma (collection of blood)
  • seroma (collection of tissue fluid)
• further surgery to address such complications

Risks specific to breast reduction and mastopexy surgery include:

• swelling
• redness
• numbness of the breast skin
• loss of sensation of the nipple areolar complexes
• necrosis of the nipple areolar complex
• asymmetry
• contour irregularities
• dog ear formation (contour irregularities at either end of the scar)

Revisional surgery is necessary in approximately three to five percent of patients who undergo breast reduction and mastopexy surgery. Any revisional surgery will incur its own set of risks and potential complications and your surgeon will make you aware of these prior to your procedure.

Informed Consent

Informed consent can only be given after:

• a thorough consultation process with a surgeon
• your specific questions and concerns have been addressed by the surgeon
• The costs of breast reduction surgery and revisional surgery have been discussed

Cost

In Australia, surgeons are strongly discouraged from advertising a set price for a medical procedure. This is in line with the Guidelines for advertising of regulated health services by the Australian Medical Board. For this reason, we do not include a cost per procedure on our website.

Part of your initial consultation will be to discuss the cost of the procedure.

If you would like to know in advance, we can provide approximate costs before your initial consultation including any applicable Medicare rebate. We are available by phone on 03 9088 5000 or via enquiry through our website.

Consultation Cost

The cost of an initial consultation with a surgeon to discuss your procedure is $175 ($225 for weekend consultations). A portion of this cost may be claimed from Medicare if eligible and provided you have a referral from your GP. During your consultation, you will be given a personalised cost or quote for your surgery. You will need to allow one hour for your consultation.

Your Breast Reduction / Mastopexy Surgery

The procedure is performed by making access incisions around the nipple areolar complexes and an incision extending vertically underneath.  Occasionally a short transverse scar in the crease below the breast is also required. The most appropriate of these surgical access incisions will be discussed during your consultation.

The operation is performed in an accredited hospital under general anaesthetic with a specialist anaesthetist present. Patients are treated in hospital as a day surgery where appropriate though may require a one-to-two night stay for antibiotic therapy and pain management.

Internal wounds are repaired with dissolving stitches and waterproof dressings applied, which are suitable for showering and bathing. A compressive garment or “boob tube” is provided must be worn after surgery. Thereafter, a post-surgical brassiere will be provided, which is to be worn for approximately six weeks after surgery.

Recovery Period

Recovery after surgery usually takes two to three weeks, during which the breasts can be swollen or bruised. Approximately six to eight weeks after surgery, the swelling usually improves, and most patients can return to work within two weeks of surgery.

The surgeon will advise you on scar maturation strategies and when you might expect to drive again (typically two weeks after surgery). Physical exercise can normally resume three to four weeks after surgery.