Where breast augmentation was once the most popular breast-related procedure amongst women, breast reduction and lifts have become just as popular.
Whether you want to reduce the size of your breasts to match your fit physique or you want to restore the appearance of your breasts after major weight loss, a breast reduction is a great option.
What many women don’t realise is that their nipples will also require surgery if they opt for a breast reduction.
Breast Reductions vs. Lifts: The Differences
Age, weight gain and pregnancy can all cause a loss of skin laxity, which is when the breasts begin to sag. Heavier breasts can also put strain on the skin over time.
If you are happy with the density of your breasts but would like to adjust their location, a breast lift is an ideal procedure. If the weight of your breasts is causing you pain and discomfort, a breast reduction is an ideal procedure.
If you want to reduce the size and location of your breasts, a surgeon can combine a breast lift and reduction to achieve your desired result.
Nipple Surgery & Breast Ptosis
There are two different scenarios where your nipples will also need to be operated on – the first is in the case of a breast lift or reduction.
When the size and location of the breasts need to be adjusted, the nipples will also need to be moved to ensure they are located in the centre of the breast mound. The nipples can also be reshaped and resized to improve symmetry.
The second scenario is in the case of breast ptosis – when the skin starts to become less elastic, the nipples can begin to move and point downwards or to the sides. The nipples can also start to stretch, which means they will need to be reshaped and relocated to achieve a more symmetrical appearance.
The best breast reduction surgeons such as Dr Andre Safvat will take you through your options in terms of nipple shape, size and placement before your surgery.
What Happens to the Nipples During a Breast Reduction
During breast reduction surgery, the nipple will be surgically relocated while keeping the function of the nipple intact. The nipple can then also be reshaped and resized according to your preferences, which you will discuss with your surgeon ahead of time.
What about Breastfeeding?
While your surgeon will do everything possible to maintain your nipple’s function, this is not guaranteed. Unfortunately, you will only know whether your ability to breastfeed has been affected once you try after your surgery. In many cases, women have trouble breastfeeding with or without surgery so it’s difficult to say whether this will be the case or not. In most cases, however, women are able to breastfeed following breast reduction surgery – your surgeon’s skills will play a leading role though.
Breast Reduction – The Facts
Breast reduction surgery is still one of the best ways to deal with heavy breast tissue and it should be noted that every type of surgery will have some risks.
Choosing the right surgeon for your procedure will greatly reduce these risks though, so take your time to research your options and to ask as many questions as possible before you go ahead.
