What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

If you experience back pain or posture issues due to large, heavy breasts and desire more proportionately sized breasts, breast reduction surgery might offer a suitable option.

The goal of Breast Reduction/Mammoplasty surgery is to alleviate the weight of large, heavy breasts, as well as address breast ptosis (sagging), physical discomfort, and skin chafing. The procedure involves the removal of excess breast tissue, skin, and fat from the breasts

Breast Reduction Melbourne by Coco Ruby Plastic Surgeons

Download the 2023 Breast Reduction Surgery Guide

This complete guide to Breast Reduction Surgery covers everything you need to know about this procedure, including:

Your surgery explained
How to assess if you are a suitable candidate.
Planning for your surgery
Answers to most frequently asked questions.
Before and after gallery
Read more about Breast Reduction

Common Reasons Patients Choose Breast Reduction

Common reasons patients choose to undergo this procedure include:

Improved Physical Comfort

One of the most prominent results of Breast Reduction Surgery is the alleviation of discomfort. Large breasts can cause significant back, neck, and shoulder pain due to their weight. By reducing breast size, this surgery may help relieve the strain on these areas.

Improved Posture

The weight of heavy breasts often leads to poor posture as individuals unconsciously adjust their stance to balance the weight. Breast Reduction surgery can help correct this issue by reducing breast size, which in turn eases strain on the upper body muscles. With the weight redistributed, individuals find it easier to maintain a straighter posture.

Enhanced Mobility

Movement with large breasts can be challenging and can impact overall mobility and physical activity. Breast Reduction Surgery can make it easier to participate in exercises, sports, and everyday tasks. With smaller and more manageable breasts, individuals may experience an increase in their range of motion.

Reduced Skin Irritation

Large breasts can lead to persistent skin irritation, especially in the breast crease or under the breasts. This discomfort is caused by friction, moisture, and lack of proper airflow. After Breast Reduction, as breast size is reduced, the likelihood of skin chafing and irritation diminishes significantly.

Proportionate Appearance

Breast Reduction Surgery not only offers physical relief but also provides aesthetic benefits. Large breasts can lead to a disproportionate appearance, affecting body symmetry. By reducing breast size, the surgery helps achieve a more balanced and proportionate appearance.

Healthy Lifestyle

Engaging in physical activities or exercise can be challenging for individuals with large breasts due to discomfort and limitation on movement. Whether it’s playing sports, practicing yoga, or simply enjoying outdoor pursuits, smaller breasts can make it easier to participate.

It’s important to note that each individual’s experience may vary, and consulting a qualified plastic surgeon is crucial to understand how breast reduction can help in your unique situation. Download the Checklist for Breast Reduction Surgery

Who May be a Suitable Candidate?

You may be a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery if you:

Are unhappy with the size, position or weight of your breasts (are they large, heavy in weight, ptotic or all three).
Suffer from physical discomfort, like neck or back pain or you suffer from chronic skin irritations.
Understand the risks, potential complications and limitations of the procedure.
Have breasts that aren’t symmetrical (you may have one breast that is significantly larger than the other).
Are unhappy with the size, position or weight of your breasts, you are concerned about the positioning of your nipples and would like them to sit at a more central location on your chest.
Are in good overall health.

Breast Reduction Before and After Photos in Melbourne

See more actual patient photos of Breast Reduction Surgery performed at our Melbourne Clinic by our Specialist Plastic Surgeons. All surgeries are performed in Accredited Melbourne Hospitals by our highly experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeons.

Gallery

Disclaimer: The outcomes shown are only relevant for these patients and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.

What Can I Expect During Surgery?

Types of Incisions

A Breast Reduction procedure usually takes between 2-4 hours. The procedure requires an incision to be made on the breast, however, the type of incision will be based on your surgeon, the existent of the procedure and your desires. Common breast reduction incisions include:

Anchor Technique
- A surgical incision under the breasts, up the lower pole, and around the nipple.
Lollipop or Le Jour Method
- The “lollipop” incision is made around the nipple and down the lower pole.
Peri-Areolar
- The common name for this incision is the doughnut incision.
- This incision is made only around the nipple, however, this is less common due to complications with nipple sensation and nipple functions.

The procedure

During the surgical procedure, you will receive both medication and General Anesthesia.
Once the incisions are carefully made, any excess breast tissue, along with surplus skin and fat, will be removed.
In some instances, surgeons may incorporate liposuction to address skin folds around the chest area.
While the nipples typically remain attached, they will be repositioned.
- If necessary, the areola may be reduced by excising skin at its perimeter to achieve the desired proportion.
- In specific cases, particularly for individuals with extremely large breasts, the surgeon might opt to relocate the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast.
Once your surgeon has completed the necessary steps, they will close the incisions.
To ensure the patients breasts receive adequate support and structure, dissolvable sutures may be layered within the breast tissue. These sutures also contribute to the closure of the skin.
While initial swelling might temporarily obscure the final results, this will progressively diminish within the first two weeks after surgery and continue to improve during the recovery period.
To aid the healing process and minimize surgical scars, our surgeons employ advanced treatments such as Healite, Fraxel Laser, or Dermapen.
It’s important to diligently follow your Surgeon’s post-operative instructions to ensure optimal scar minimization.

Risks and Complications

Like any surgical procedure, Breast Reduction surgery comes with its own set of potential risks and complications. It’s crucial to be informed about these possibilities before making a decision. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and understanding the potential challenges can help you make an informed choice. Risks and Complications of Breast Reduction Surgery, include:

Anesthesia-related Risks
Infection
Bleeding
Delayed Wound Healing
Poor Scarring
Changes in Sensation
Nipple and Areola Complex Issues
Breastfeeding Challenges
Skin Discoloration
Unsatisfactory Aesthetic Outcomes
Fat Necrosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Cardiac and Pulmonary Complications
Loss of Nipple or Areola
Asymmetry

Your surgeon will provide detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions to mitigate these risks and ensure your safety throughout the breast reduction journey. For a comprehensive understanding of the potential complications associated with breast reduction surgery, please refer to the “risks of surgery page.

Recovery from Breast Reduction

The length of your recovery period will depend on your procedure and other health and lifestyle factors. It’s important to remember that recovery times can vary from person to person. The general rule is that you should allow 10-14 days for initial recovery following your Breast Reduction surgery. However, full recovery and scar maturation often takes longer, (upwards of a year).

Things you should know about your recovery

Patients will need to wear a form-fitting support garment after surgery, your surgeon will advise you on how long for.
Patients will also need to wait before they are able to resume certain exercises and activities.
- Patients need clearance from the surgeon before they can start;
  - Exercising
  - Lifting children or grandchildren,
  - Any form of heavy lifting
  - Or, strenuous activities.
Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery will provide patients with post-surgery compression garments.
Results depend on both a collaborative approach and a healthy lifestyle.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Attend all post-operative appointments.
Remember to follow post-op instructions precisely for a faster recovery.

Resuming normal daily activities after surgery

If you work in an office you may be able to resume Light office duties or other tasks approximately 2 weeks post-surgery. However, this can vary. You will not be able to do any heavy lifting for several weeks to a few months, so if you have a physically demanding job you will need to take more time to recover.

Although you should avoid strenuous activity you can typically resume gentle walking a few days after surgery. Your Surgeon will advise you, depending on which type of exercise you’re wanting to perform.

Breast Reduction Price Melbourne – How much is a Breast Reduction in Melbourne?

The cost of surgery in Australia can be influenced by several factors, such as the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s fees, the length of hospital stay, and other related expenses.

Some health insurance plans may provide coverage for a portion of the surgery cost if it is deemed medically necessary. However, it’s crucial to check with your insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage available.

For accurate and personalized information regarding the cost of your Breast Reduction Surgery, it is best to schedule a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. During the consultation, they can provide a detailed breakdown of the expenses involved and address any specific concerns you may have.

We also provide information on Medicare Cover for Breast Reduction, Private Health Insurance and information about breast reduction payment plans.

Why Choose Us?

Not all Surgeons have the same experience or intensive training and qualifications. Be sure you learn the differences between a Plastic Surgeon, a General Surgeon, a Cosmetic Surgeon or other types of Surgeon. Recommendations from other patients are also a good place to start.

Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon means you are choosing an accredited recognised plastic surgeon that performs surgery in an accredited hospital. Look for members of:

FRACS – Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
ASPS – Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
ASAPS – Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Or, ISAPS – International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

About our Surgeons

It is important to research a Surgeon’s qualifications and experience before deciding on the Surgeon. You can check your surgeons’ credentials at AHPRA(Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Our Breast Reduction Surgeons, Dr Craig Rubinstein, Dr Patrick Briggs, Dr Broughton Snell and Mr Gary Kode are all experienced, fully qualified specialist plastic surgeons with current FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) memberships.