Breast Reduction in Sydney

Many women with heavy breasts complain of chronic back, shoulder and neck pain, or indentations in their shoulders from overtaxed bra straps. Large breasts can make it difficult to engage in sports and exercise, or even to sit and stand with proper posture.

If excessively large breasts are causing you pain or preventing you from living an active lifestyle, it may be time to consider breast reduction surgery. Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Ellis Choy performs breast reduction to create a more proportionate bust that addresses both aesthetic and physical concerns. Schedule your in-person consultation with Dr Choy today.

Women with excessively large breasts may encounter a wide range of physical complaints. We have explored a few of the most common complaints below. If you are experiencing any of these, or any other problem caused by your large breasts, plastic surgery for breast reduction or restructuring of breast tissue may provide a solution. Get in touch with Dr Ellis Choy and his team to arrange a consultation.

NECK AND BACK PAIN

Perhaps the most common long-term physical complaint reported by women with overly large breasts is neck and back pain. This is because of the additional strain placed on the neck and back due to the distribution of weight across the chest. By reducing the size of your breasts, Dr Choy can lighten the weight on your chest and thereby reduce the stress placed on these areas.

SHOULDER PAIN

Neck and shoulder pain is a common complaint from women with large, heavy breasts. While the shoulders may not appear to take as much strain as the neck or back, in fact, the additional weight can also be damaging to this area. Undergoing plastic surgery for breast reduction can lessen this pain and give you a better range of movement in your arms. This can help you to complete daily tasks that your larger breasts may have interfered with in the past.

DIFFICULTY IN EXERCISING

Excessively large and heavy breasts may impact on your range of movement, but can also cause problems for women who wish to exercise. The additional weight, accompanied by the movement of the breasts, may make exercising very difficult.

As we know, exercise is necessary for a fit and healthy life, and can also be the catalyst to avoid the severe health problems that can come with long periods of inactivity. Breast reduction cosmetic surgery can help women with large breasts unlock the benefits of exercise and an active lifestyle.

CHAFING, RASHES AND SKIN IRRITATION

Larger breasts are much more likely to sag or droop than smaller breasts, simply due to their relative weight and size. This causes areas of moist skin beneath the breasts, which can cause skin irritations and other complaints. The repeated movement of the breasts against the skin of the abdomen can also cause chafing. Resizing and restructuring the breasts can help to eliminate this by removing much of the weight and mass of the breasts, and improving sagging or drooping.

THE BENEFITS OF BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Droopy and large breasts bring discomfort for many women. Breast reduction surgery allows these women to have their breasts adjusted into a size and shape they are more comfortable with.

Reasons to consider breast reduction include:

• Your breasts are out of proportion with your body
• You cannot exercise or play sports comfortably
• You struggle to maintain good posture
• Your back, neck and shoulders are frequently sore
• You get rashes, chafing or sweat in the folds under your breasts

CONSIDERATIONS FOR BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Breast reduction is a serious medical procedure that brings the typical risks associated with plastic surgery, as well as some special considerations. The procedure requires a surgeon to make incisions and remove excess tissue before lifting the remaining tissue back into a natural position. It may or may not involve detaching and repositioning the nipples and areolas. As you decide whether breast reduction is right for you, there are certain considerations you will need to keep in mind.

BREAST REDUCTION SCARS

Any procedure that involves incisions will leave a scar. For most breast reduction surgery candidates, the scars are lollipop-shaped (a circle around the areola, then a thin line extending down the breast) or anchor-shaped (the lollipop incision plus a horizontal line underneath the breast). These scars are prominent initially, but should fade during the first year after the procedure.

NIPPLE SENSATION CHANGES

Some women experience changes in nipple sensation after breast reduction surgery. One potential consequence of this procedure is the loss of nipple sensitivity. For most patients, sensitivity is at least partially restored within a month or two. It’s rare, but possible, to completely lose nipple sensation long-term. Certain surgical techniques are more likely to preserve nipple sensation.

BREASTFEEDING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION

Some women who have their breast size reduced report difficulty breastfeeding. It can be difficult to predict which patients may face this problem. If this is something that concerns you, it may be wise to postpone your breast reduction procedure until you’re finished having children and nursing them.

BREAST REDUCTION AND POST-PREGNANCY BODY CONTOURING

Pregnancy hormones often cause breasts to increase in size and fullness. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, some women’s breasts naturally return to their prior size and shape. Other women find that their breasts remain larger than before, and some experience a noticeable loss of volume and skin elasticity. These changes can exacerbate existing issues with large breasts or create new concerns.

As a result of these changes, some women choose to include breast reduction as part of their post-pregnancy body contouring plan. Post-pregnancy body contouring refers to a customised combination of surgical procedures aimed at addressing the physical effects of pregnancy and childbirth.

Breast reduction is just one potential component of post-pregnancy body contouring. The goal of the procedure in this context is to create a more proportionate breast size and shape that you feel suits your post-pregnancy body and lifestyle.

Post-pregnancy body contouring, like any cosmetic surgery, is a personal choice. Each woman’s body responds differently to pregnancy, and not everyone will feel the need to address the changes that occur. The decision to undergo any surgical procedure should be made carefully and in consultation with a qualified specialist plastic surgeon.

TIMING CONSIDERATIONS

If you are considering breast reduction as part of your post-pregnancy body contouring plan, we encourage you to consider the timing of the surgery carefully.

Subsequent pregnancies can alter the results of the surgery. For the most stable results, you may wish to postpone the procedure until you are done expanding your family. This may also be your surgeon’s recommendation if you intend to breastfeed future children. While many women do not have issues, it is possible for breast reduction to affect milk production or the ability to breastfeed.

If you do not plan to have more children, it is generally advised to delay surgery until your weight and hormone levels have stabilised. This is typically around six months to a year after you’ve stopped breastfeeding.

There is no universally “right” time for all women. Dr Choy will provide recommendations based on your personal circumstances to help you choose the best timing for your breast reduction surgery.

YOUR SYDNEY BREAST REDUCTION CONSULTATION WITH DR CHOY

Your initial consultation is the first time you will meet with Dr Choy to discuss your surgery. This meeting will cover the following topics:

• Discussion of your concerns: You will have the opportunity to explain your reasons for considering breast reduction and the outcomes you hope to achieve.
• Physical examination: Dr Choy will conduct an examination of your breasts to assess their size, shape, symmetry and skin quality.
• Medical history review: Dr Choy will ask about your medical history, including any medications or supplements you take, allergies you have and previous surgeries.
• Treatment options: Dr Choy will explain the various surgical techniques available and recommend an approach for your situation.
• Potential risks and complications: Dr Choy will provide a comprehensive overview of the possible risks and complications associated with breast reduction surgery.

Open and honest communication is essential during your consultation. Be prepared to clearly articulate your goals and expectations for the surgery and ask questions about any aspect of the procedure you don’t fully understand.

Remember, there are no “silly” questions when it comes to your health and well-being. Dr Choy and his team are there to ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident in your decisions.

IS A SCARLESS BREAST REDUCTION POSSIBLE?

Women who are hesitant to have a standard breast reduction due to the scarring may be interested in a so-called ‘scarless breast reduction’ using liposuction. They may have heard that liposuction breast reduction is a less invasive procedure promising fewer complications and shorter recovery. However, the success of this approach is limited, and we caution patients against believing any claim that sounds too good to be true.

Liposuction can only remove fat, whereas a surgical breast reduction can remove fat, glandular tissue and skin. Additionally, the volume of fat that liposuction can safely remove at one time is limited. Liposuction cannot address the skin at all, meaning it cannot accomplish the lifting effect that a surgical breast lift does or relocate the nipples and areolas to a more attractive position. Liposuction breast reduction simply results in a smaller version of the breasts you had before, and it comes with its own risks, scars and recovery requirements.

When you visit Dr Choy to discuss breast reduction, he will tell you more about the results you might expect from each approach in your specific case. Surgical breast reduction provides better results in most cases.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE

The breast reduction procedure is often carried out in a hospital or local outpatient facility, depending on the circumstances of the particular case. You will likely be placed under general anaesthesia, but there may also be other options open to you if it’s necessary or desired.

During your breast reduction surgery, Dr Ellis Choy will remove any extra tissue, glandular fat and excess skin, freeing the area from excessive weight and size. In addition to the functional aspects of this procedure, he will also reshape and contour the area to create a more aesthetic appearance.

As he works his way through the process, the nipples and areolas will usually remain attached to the tissue underneath your breasts. This surgical approach reduces the risk of losing sensation after the surgery.

However, if your breasts are significantly enlarged, it may be necessary to remove and reposition both the areola and the nipple. During your consult, Dr Ellis Choy will discuss all options with you, giving you insight into what you can expect, as well as the breast reduction cost itself.

If your areolas don’t seem to suit the new size of your breasts after the tissue has been lifted, shaped and re-contoured, Dr Choy may reduce the size of these as well.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A BREAST REDUCTION SURGICAL PROCEDURE

When your breast reduction plastic surgery is complete, your plastic surgeon Dr Ellis Choy or a member of his team will provide you with an outpatient consultation. As every case is different – and breast reduction procedures are carried out to different extents and on different levels – it is difficult to say precisely what you will experience. However, the outpatient session will give you all the answers you need about beginning your recovery.

Most women can expect soreness and discomfort immediately after the surgical procedure and for some time afterward. There may also be some loss of sensation in the nipples or the breast tissue after the procedure. Often, sensation returns over the course of weeks or months, but it may be long-term or even permanent in some cases.

You will be required to set aside downtime from your daily exercises and routine for about two to four weeks, depending on the complexity and nature of your treatment. During this time, Dr Choy will ask that you adhere to all guidelines given so that you can provide your body with a healthy road to recovery. The steps you will need to take may look something like this:

• Take all prescribed medication given to you for the first week.
• Undergo drainage of excess fluids or blood for the first week.
• Avoid ‘adult activities’ for up to a week.
• Aim to have at least one to two weeks off work — if you have a physical job, you may need more time to heal.
• Wear a compression bra 24/7 to help the area recover without any impact or damage inflicted on it. This will provide support and will be required for up to six weeks.
• Avoid all heavy lifting for up to six weeks. You can start light activity after the first two weeks.

By sticking to the healing guidelines given to you, you can better your chance at a smooth recovery.

LIFE AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Although results differ from patient to patient and cannot be guaranteed, patient satisfaction after breast reduction surgery tends to be high. Women who choose this procedure often report feeling more comfortable and many no longer suffer from constant stress on their neck, back and shoulders. Additional benefits of breast reduction surgery may include:

• More balanced body proportions
• Increased ability to exercise and be physically active
• Reduced bra strap indentations and skin irritation
• Improved posture

The results of breast reduction surgery are designed to be long-lasting. Because your breasts are partly made up of fat tissue, you may see fluctuations in your bra size if you gain or lose weight after the procedure. It’s also important to note that breast size can fluctuate according to hormonal changes or pregnancy. If these instances occur, the results of your breast reduction may shift. Your breasts will continue to age normally after a breast reduction, but you will likely continue seeing some benefits from the procedure.

To learn more about the results of breast reduction, click below to take a look at before and after photos of our breast reduction procedure work. Remember that during your consultation with Dr Choy, an outline of what you can expect for your particular goals and desires will be provided to you, as well as an indication of what breast reduction cost you can expect.

To schedule an appointment, or to get more details regarding the cost of breast reduction or any other aspect of the procedure, get in touch with our team today. Call 02 8962 9388 or book a consultation online!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

What will my breast reduction scars look like?

Any procedure that involves incisions will result in permanent scars. The ultimate appearance of your scars will depend on a variety of factors, including the surgical technique used, your body’s natural healing process and how well you follow Dr Choy’s post-operative care instructions.

There are several different techniques used for breast reduction. The most common incision patterns include:

• Anchor: The anchor technique uses incisions placed around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease.
• Lollipop: The lollipop technique includes incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease.
• Doughnut: The doughnut technique only requires an incision around the areola.

Scars typically start out red and raised. Over time, they should fade and flatten. Because we all heal differently, it is impossible to predict how noticeable your scars will be when they are mature. Dr Choy will discuss steps you can take to promote healing and treatment options that may be available to minimise scarring.

Does Medicare or private health insurance cover breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery may be covered by Medicare or private health insurance when the procedure is considered medically necessary rather than purely cosmetic.

Medicare may provide a rebate for breast reduction if it’s performed to relieve physical discomfort and symptoms caused by overly large breasts. To be eligible, you generally need to meet specific criteria and have a referral from your physician.

Private health insurance coverage varies depending on your policy and level of cover. Some policies may cover breast reduction if it’s deemed medically necessary, while others may not cover it at all.

Remember that even if you’re eligible for Medicare or private health insurance coverage, there may still be out-of-pocket expenses. You should be prepared to cover these additional breast reduction costs.

Are there any nonsurgical alternatives to breast reduction?

There is no true nonsurgical alternative to breast reduction. However, there are some nonsurgical options that may help manage symptoms associated with large breasts:

• Supportive bras: Well-fitted, high-quality supportive bras can help distribute breast weight more evenly.
• Weight loss: If you are overweight, losing weight may reduce breast size to some extent, as breasts are partly composed of fatty tissue.
• Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises for your back, neck and shoulders may help improve posture and reduce pain.
• Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers or heat/cold therapy may provide temporary relief.
• Lifestyle modifications: Consider avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms and making ergonomic adjustments at work.

Although these alternatives may provide some relief from discomfort, surgical breast reduction is the most effective way to significantly reduce breast size. Nonsurgical measures may be more suitable for women who are not ready for surgery or do not meet the criteria for a breast reduction procedure.

What about male breast reduction?

Male breast reduction is a surgical procedure for treating gynecomastia, the medical name for excessive male breast tissue. This condition can result from hormonal imbalances, taking certain medications, weight gain or other underlying health conditions. While less common than female breast reduction, it is an important option for men who experience discomfort due to enlarged breasts.

The technique used depends on whether the enlargement is caused by excess glandular tissue, fat or both. The incisions are typically placed in inconspicuous areas, such as around the areola or in the natural creases of the chest.

Like any surgical procedure, male breast reduction deserves careful consideration. Consult with a specialist plastic surgeon to discuss your specific situation, expected outcomes and potential risks.

Click here to view our breast reduction before and after photos

*This information about breast reduction was reviewed by Dr Ellis Choy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Making an Informed Decision

Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant decision that should be made only after careful consideration of all aspects involved, including the potential risks and complications.

General Risks and Complications

There are general risks and complications that apply to most plastic surgery procedures. These are discussed in detail on our Risks and Complications page.

Specific Risks and Complications

In addition to those that apply generally to plastic surgery, each individual procedure comes with its own specific risks and complications. For breast reduction, these include:

• Asymmetry in breast shape or nipple placement
• Partial or total loss of the nipples or areolae
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Breastfeeding challenges
• Chronic breast pain
• Excessive breast firmness

Next Steps

Request a consultation with Dr Choy for a detailed discussion of these considerations. Dr Choy will conduct a thorough risk assessment based on your individual factors and outline the measures that can be taken to minimise these risks. He and his team are here to support your decision-making process, providing all the information you need to make well-informed choices about your care.