Plastic surgery breast reduction is one of the most common breast surgeries in the western world with some of the highest satisfaction rates. At Panthea Clinics, we are dedicated to our patients. We are focused on patient’s care, consideration and attention to detail at both our Sydney and Canberra clinics .
Get in touch with us today for details or to book your initial consultation.
WHY DR FARHADIEH FOR BREAST REDUCTION IN SYDNEY & CANBERRA?
There are many reasons our patients choose to put themselves in the trusted hands of Australian trained and qualified specialist plastic surgeon Dr Farhadieh.
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons former surgeon scientist scholar
- Triple Board certification in plastic surgery, Royal Australian College of Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons(England), European Board of Plastic Surgery (FRACS(Plast), FRCS(Plast), EBOPRASF)
- UNSW Medical School Honours graduate
- Several subspecialty clinical fellowships from world leading London institutes
- Sub specialising in breast cosmetic surgery procedures
- Current and past Chief Editor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: Approaches and Techniques and Plastic Surgery: Principles & Practice
Dr Farhadieh heads up an, experienced and dedicated team to patient welfare.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?
The breast has three integral components: the skin envelope, the breast parenchyma and the nipple–areolar complex. In this procedure, varying degrees of these components are resected and the nipple is repositioned as a way to reshape and reduce the breast size.
A wide variety of breast reduction operations are available, with various incisions and breast tissue reduction patterns. Each individual has different requirements and Dr Farhadieh will discuss in detail which would be most suitable to your needs.
In general, there are two forms of incisions: the vertical incision and the ‘Wise pattern’ (inverted T). The vertical or minimal scar incision (the so-called ‘lollipop incision’) involves an incision around the nipple–areolar complex and then straight down from below the nipple to the lower breast crease.
The Wise pattern incision is similar, with the addition of a horizontal incision at the lower breast crease (so-called ‘inverted T’ incision). In general, very large breasts require this incision, whereas moderately large ones are amenable to the vertical incision.
During the surgery, the nipple and areola remain attached to the underlying breast and are moved to their aesthetically ideal position. The operation takes around three hours.
YOUR INITIAL BREAST REDUCTION CONSULTATION
During your first consultation with the team here at Panthea Clinics, Dr Farhadieh will review your medical history and note any regular medications or allergies. You will be asked about your specific concerns around the size of your breasts, expectations and your reasons for seeking breast reduction and lift surgery. A physical examination will be completed and photographs taken as part of your confidential medical records.
Controlled weight reduction through diet and exercise can be an enormous help in reducing perioperative complications, accelerating recovery and achieving a better overall surgical outcome. Smokers will be advised to cease smoking for 3-6 weeks both prior to and after the surgery is complete. All herbal remedies, medications or dietary supplements that cause increased bleeding must be stopped 2 weeks before surgery and for 1 week after. Depending on your age, medical and family history, you may need to have a screening mammogram prior to surgery.
Surgery complications are discussed with you, these include specific and general complications, including, infections, wound breakdown, potential loss of the nipple areolar complexes, scarring, asymmetry, infections, blood clots in the legs and postoperative bleeding
The surgery may be performed as a day, or more often, as an inpatient procedure, in which case you should usually expect to be discharged the following day. On the day of surgery, Dr Farhadieh will meet with you and mark the areas on your breasts where the incisions will be made. Any final questions will be addressed prior to surgery and we will complete our preoperative checklist. Our anaesthetist will see you on the day of the surgery in order to discuss the anaesthetic procedure and pain relief options.
WHAT TO EXPECT POSTOPERATIVELY
Immediately after the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room for monitoring and after this to the surgical ward. During the immediate postoperative period, local anaesthetic injected into the wound will keep you comfortable. Some discomfort may become apparent overnight, but this usually begins to subside over the course of the first few postoperative days. Sometimes you will have a drain inserted into the breast tissue during the operation; this will be taken out the next day.
The following day, after assessment by Dr Farhadieh, you will be discharged home with instructions to wear a soft sports bra or compression bra for the following eight-12 weeks. During this initial period, you may feel limited by the general postoperative state, although you are encouraged to increase your mobility as soon as practical. Your postoperative review will be organized for seven–14 days following surgery to ensure that everything is going smoothly.
During the first two weeks postoperatively, your breasts may look and feel bruised. This will gradually settle and your breasts will eventually find their most natural position within six-eight weeks. You should avoid stretching, heavy lifting and strenuous upper body activity for six-eight weeks following your surgery.
Complications may follow any surgery as noted above these include specific and general complications, including, infections, wound breakdown, potential loss of the nipple areolar complexes, scarring, asymmetry, infections, blood clots in the legs and postoperative bleeding. Results vary between patients based on factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, weight and age. Dr Farhadieh will discuss these at length with you during your consultation with reference to our own results and scientific literature, at our Sydney or Canberra locations.
Before proceeding make sure that you have read all the information sheets and have your questions answered.
BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY COST
Breast reduction price depends greatly on the individual situation. Please contact our friendly customer service team so they can find out more information and provide you with an estimate. Rest assured, all our costings are transparent and you will be 100% aware of fees before we progress.
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION AT OUR SYDNEY OR CANBERRA CLINIC
Whether you’ve been thinking about getting a breast reduction, lift or augmentation, At Panthea Clinics we are dedicated to your welfare.
Call our Sydney or Canberra clinics today to enquire about more information or to book your initial consultation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is some discomfort associated with surgery. Most patients report a ‘tightness’, rather than pain, due to the excellent modern anaesthetic pain control regimes, which includes local anaesthetic for the immediate postoperative period as well as powerful analgesics. However, its vital that you note that pain perception and recovery may be different with each individual.
The breasts will not only heal during the first 6 weeks, but will also gradually find their natural postoperative position. Gravity, healing and surgery drive this process. The incision scars will fade over the first 12 months and will often be barely visible beyond the first year.
Within 2 weeks you will be back at work and be able to resume most normal activities. During the subsequent weeks you will return to your pre-surgery levels of activity.
As part of the preoperative assessment Dr Farhadieh will discuss the positions of the incisions with you. The most common short scar technique involves an incision around the nipple with a vertical component extending towards the lower pole of the breast. The scars are not only camouflaged, but also fade considerably within the first 12 months after surgery.
Dr Farhadieh believes that the relationship between doctor and patient is sacred and privileged. Our practice is based on compassion, honesty, transparency and, above all, patient welfare. We pride ourselves on making sure that you feel supported at all times. We will be available during all stages of your journey and will schedule short-, medium- and long-term follow-up appointments as part of our overall practice.
1. There are some general risks associated with ANY operation, which include:
a) Infection in surgical wound(s) with resultant redness, pain and possible discharge. In severe cases, wound(s) could break open and need to be re-sutured. Often small areas of breakdown are treated conservatively with dressings and they heal without any significant sequelae.
b) Possible bleeding in surgical wound(s) with swelling or bruising.
c) Secretions may accumulate in the lungs and cause a chest infection.
d) Deep vein thrombosis.
e) Death is possible during or after an operation following severe complications.
f) Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications. Therefore, you should completely stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery, and refrain from smoking for at least 4 weeks.
2. The following facts, risks and complications apply specifically to THIS operation:
a) Antibiotics are given during and after the operation, to minimise the risk of infection. The rate of infection following breast reduction and lift surgery is low (approx. <2%). If infection was to occur, it would be treated with the usual techniques. In severe cases, treatment may involve being admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotics; and further surgery may be required, including the temporary removal of an infected implant.
b) Bruising and swelling is normal, but the severity can vary with each patient. If bleeding occurs after surgery, a clot (haematoma) can occur. If this occurs, it often requires surgical evacuation. The risk of this occurring within the first few days after surgery is about 0.5-1%. The risk of increased bruising or bleeding can be reduced by abstaining from medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other blood thinning agents, for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. See Pre Op Medication Information sheet for more details.
c) The incisions will result in scar formation. Dr Farhadieh will endeavour to keep the incisions as minimal as possible, and these scars will soften and fade with time. You will be instructed as to how best care for scars to optimise results.
d) Postoperative pain experienced varies from very mild to significant discomfort. You will be given plenty of pain relieving medication following your surgery and this should keep you comfortable, no matter what your level of discomfort.
e) It is common to have intermittent mild discomfort, or sometimes, intermittent sharp pains in the first few weeks after surgery, as the swelling resolves and the nerves recover.
f) Numbness of parts of the breasts and nipples is common following surgery and is generally temporary. You may experience a change in the sensitivity of the nipples and the skin of the breast. Permanent loss of nipple sensation may occur after a reduction in one or both nipples.
g) Delayed healing can sometimes occur along the margins of the incisions; and occasionally there is some loss of the skin edges or of the nipple itself (less than 1%), requiring prolonged dressings or additional surgery for correction.
h) In all breast reduction surgery, there is the possibility of issues with the nipple areolar area healing properly. This is because the nipple areolar area will be moved to a new location during your operation and whenever anatomical regions are moved from one place to another, healing may be delayed or non-existent. At worst, the nipple/areolar may not heal at all and require complete surgical reconstruction. This risk is most apparent in smokers, which is why Dr Farhadieh does not perform this operation in active smokers and needs you off any nicotine-containing product for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. In a non-smoking patient the chance of these issues occurring is very low.
i) The sutures used to close the incisions on your breasts are completely dissolvable, but they may be felt through the skin for up to 6-9 months after surgery.
j) Breasts may feel irregular (lumpy), firm, and uncomfortable following breast reduction surgery; however, this will in most cases subside with time.
k) Breast tissue and/or skin will be removed during breast reduction surgery. Any tissue removed during surgery will be sent to pathology for examination.
l) Most patients will need to take about a week off work. Vigorous upper body exercise or any activity that involves ‘bouncing’ of the breasts should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
m) Your ability to breastfeed may be affected following surgery. If you intend to breastfeed after this procedure, it is important that you discuss this with Dr Farhadieh prior to your procedure.
n) It is almost impossible to get the breasts looking identical. Dr Farhadieh will make them as symmetrical as possible. Over time, some women may experience one breast growing quicker than the other or subtle changes in the nipple areolar shape or position as the body adapts to the new breasts. Asymmetry will always be more marked with any weight fluctuations you may experience over the years after surgery, or with minimal supportive bra wear.
o) The body continues to change over time. To preserve your results, it is of utmost importance to wear good supportive bras when exercising and maintain a stable weight.
p) The aim of breast reduction surgery is improvement rather than perfection. Further operations may occasionally be required to improve the results.
q) It may be that you are not satisfied with the final aesthetic outcome
r) Scar hypertrophy and keloid may form and may be permanent.
BREAST REDUCTION BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES
Below you will find patient-approved breast reduction surgery before and after images. Simply scroll across each image to see the remarkable difference.
