What to expect going under the knife: Breast Reduction Procedures

It is important to feel well informed about any cosmetic surgery before going under the knife. There are seven steps which are typically followed during a breast reduction, each to achieve a very specific and important goal.

Though the exact details of the procedure will vary a little from person to person based upon their needs, this is the general course of action a reputable surgeon will follow.

Step 1: The pre-surgical procedure. During this time, the patient will sign into the hospital or clinic, change into the gown provided, and get settled into a designated area. Whether this is a pre-surgical area or the actual surgical room depends on that hospital or clinic’s specific protocol. At this time the cosmetic surgeons will come in for a final consultation and mark certain areas of the breast with a felt tip marker, to insure that you understand the procedure, and to clearly mark where he intends to make incisions and alterations.

Step 2: Anesthesia is administered. Typically this procedure is performed under full sedation. This can be accomplished either through your IV or by general sedation (gas). Your doctor will have selected the anesthesia method that best suits your particular situation.

Step 3: An incision is made. This will be one of three main types of breast incision, and your doctor should have informed you which he intends to perform. A circular incision can be made around the nipple. A keyhole incision can be made that centers around the nipple and then moves down the breast from the areola to the crease, this incision looks much like slicing a piece of pie to remove a slice. Or, inverted t incision can be made; this incision looks rather like a flower or an anchor as been cut out around and above the nipple. Whatever incision is made will serve as the main access point from which all the surgical work is done.

Step 4: Removal. Breast tissue is removed, to reduce breast size.

Step 5: Repositioning. In most cases the nipple remains fully attached to its original vascular and nervous system, and is reattached as the underlying breast tissue is moved to both lift and shape the breast as a whole. In extreme cases it may be necessary to do a free nipple graft, that is to say fully remove and reposition the nipple, in order for correct nipple placement to be established.

Step 6 – Closure. The sides of the incision must be brought back together, or brought around the nipple, to finalize the shaping of the breast.

Step 7: Recovery: You will be placed somewhere to rest comfortably until the anesthesia has worn off. There you will be examined, and eventually released by the doctor.