With so much focus on breast augmentation surgeries, breast reduction is sometimes overlooked. However, although many women crave bigger breasts, many others choose smaller ones. The good news is that breast reduction can be beneficial.
Why are there so many myths surrounding breast reduction surgery? In many cases, it’s just a lack of knowledge or awareness of the procedure. These beliefs can also be found in the media, which frequently depicts cosmetic surgery negatively. Whatever the cause, it’s essential to understand the myths surrounding breast reduction surgery so you can make an informed choice about whether it’s best for you.
1. Breast reduction makes breastfeeding impossible
Most women should have no trouble nursing after breast reduction surgery if everything is done appropriately. The surgery removes glandular tissue, but as long as the link between the nipple and core breast tissue is not disrupted, the surgery should have no effect on the milk supply.
However, in certain cases of breast reduction, it is necessary to relocate the nipples, which might impact breastfeeding capacity. There is also a little risk of complications, which might include the inability to nurse. However, this is quite uncommon, especially when the treatment is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
2. You should wait until after you have children to get a breast reduction
Although it is suggested that you get a breast reduction after becoming pregnant, this is not a requirement. A breast reduction will not impair your capacity to fall pregnant or interfere with pregnancy as long as you are healed. The major reason why it is advisable to wait is that breasts tend to grow and droop during pregnancy.
3. Breast reduction causes scary scars
Any type of surgery will result in surgical scars, but they don’t always have to be terrible. One of your plastic surgeon’s aims is to make your scars as invisible as possible. Patients are often afraid of their breast reduction scars, but the fact is that many are incredibly happy and often dismissive of them following surgery.
Remember that the satisfaction rate after breast reduction surgery is greater than the satisfaction rate after any other cosmetic surgery technique. Most women are ready to accept minimal scars in exchange for relief from back pain and other problems. With careful care, the surgical lines will gradually fade from red to white, finally becoming hardly visible.
4. Your breasts will remain the same size
Although breast reduction is supposed to be permanent, a variety of factors influence the size of your breasts. Breast size can be affected by a pregnancy, weight gain, and other hormonal changes. As a result, maintaining a consistent breast size and body weight for at least six months prior to surgery is the best approach to ensure your breasts remain the size you prefer.
5. Breast reduction is both painful and dangerous
While there is always some discomfort with surgery, breast reduction is not as severe as many people imagine. The majority of patients are pleasantly pleased by how little discomfort and pain they experience after the procedure, and some just require OTC painkillers for the first few days. After that, they might not even need prescription-strength pain medication.
Additionally, while all surgeries have risks, mild and significant problems are uncommon in breast reduction surgery. If you are in good health, it is unlikely that you will have any complications from a breast reduction.
6. You will lose nipple sensitivity after a breast reduction
Up to 10% of “unoperated” women with large breasts experience little or no nipple sensitivity. Only 1% of women lose nipple feeling following breast reduction surgery. Nipple sensation is caused by a nerve that travels at a right angle from the side of the nipple and then up toward the surface when it reaches a position directly under the nipple. Most breast reduction procedures keep away from this pathway as much as possible.
