Learn from our expert about breast reduction surgery
Mustafa Akyurek, MD, one of the plastic surgeons on the UMass Memorial Cosmetic Surgery Center team, is a leader in breast reductions, and one of only a few surgeons in the Worcester, MA area to perform short-scar breast reduction surgery.
What are some reasons to have a breast reduction procedure?
Many of our patients who benefitted from reduction mammaplasty surgery told us they used to have frequent neck, back and shoulder pain, felt that their breasts were very heavy, or tended to have moisture and a rash under their breasts. In other cases, our patients were self-conscious because their large breasts were not proportional to their figures. They now tell us this surgery has made a positive difference in their physical appearance—and their lives.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for breast reduction surgery?
You need to be in overall good health. You should not be a smoker; if you are a smoker, it’s recommended that you quit smoking six weeks to three months prior to the surgery. Smoking has an adverse effect on tissue and the healing process, and it can increase the chance of infection.
Does a woman’s age limit her appropriateness for breast reduction surgery?
Age is not a factor by itself. Patients can be in their late teens, or their late 60s — we’ve even cared for a number of women in their 70s! At the UMass Memorial Cosmetic Surgery Center, our team cares most about a patient’s overall health before and after surgery.
What does breast reduction surgery entail?
The surgery reduces the size of your breasts and repositions your nipples to create a smaller, firmer profile. Prior to the surgery, you’re placed in an upright position and your breasts are marked where the incisions are to be made. Using these markings as a guide, skin, fat and breast tissue are removed. Often, the nipples are also sagging, so we reposition the nipples and areola higher up on the newly reshaped breast tissue. Often times, a temporary drain is inserted at the end of surgery to help drain any fluid that may accumulate afterward.
The procedure generally takes three hours and for most of our patients is performed as day surgery. Patients with multiple significant medical conditions such as diabetes may rarely need to be admitted to our medical center overnight.
Will there be any scarring from my surgery?
There will be some breast reduction scars; however, this depends on the type of incisions. Two types of incisions are generally performed by surgeons in the United States. One is an anchor (reverse “T”) type of incision. The other type is called a short-scar or vertical incision (lollipop). This eliminates scarring underneath the breasts. I prefer the short-scar breast reduction technique and have published articles on this type of procedure. With this type of approach, not only is the surgical scar diminished, but the breast shape is also improved.
What does the recovery involve?
If a drain was inserted during surgery, you’ll come back to the Cosmetic Surgery Center in two days to have it removed. Our care team provides complete instructions to you to ensure your smooth breast reduction recovery, including no heavy lifting or serious exercising and only light activity for the first week after surgery.
For four to six weeks after surgery you must wear a sports bra to support your reshaped breasts and reduce strain on your incisions. After six weeks, you return to our Cosmetic Surgery Center for your first follow-up visit. At that time we’ll let you know if you can resume all your normal activities. Our team continues to monitor your progress closely during your three- and nine-month visits, and finally one year after your breast reduction procedure.
What is most important for me to keep in mind for a successful surgery?
I can’t emphasize enough that you should learn as much as you can about breast reduction surgery. At the Cosmetic Surgery Center, we help you do that before any decisions are made about the procedure and how it will be performed. We know from experience that no two patients are alike. Our caring, skilled team shows you photos, provides educational materials you can take home and read, answers all your questions and discusses with you what can and can’t be done through reduction mammaplasty surgery. You always know what to expect before, during and after surgery.
For more information on breast reduction or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Akyurek or a member of the UMass Memorial Cosmetic Surgery Team, please call 508-334-5990, fill out our contact us form or email us at cosmeticsurgery@umassmemorial.org.
What are some reasons to have a breast reduction procedure?
Many of our patients who benefitted from reduction mammaplasty surgery told us they used to have frequent neck, back and shoulder pain, felt that their breasts were very heavy, or tended to have moisture and a rash under their breasts. In other cases, our patients were self-conscious because their large breasts were not proportional to their figures. They now tell us this surgery has made a positive difference in their physical appearance—and their lives.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for breast reduction surgery?
You need to be in overall good health. You should not be a smoker; if you are a smoker, it’s recommended that you quit smoking six weeks to three months prior to the surgery. Smoking has an adverse effect on tissue and the healing process, and it can increase the chance of infection.
Does a woman’s age limit her appropriateness for breast reduction surgery?
Age is not a factor by itself. Patients can be in their late teens, or their late 60s — we’ve even cared for a number of women in their 70s! At the UMass Memorial Cosmetic Surgery Center, our team cares most about a patient’s overall health before and after surgery.
What does breast reduction surgery entail?
The surgery reduces the size of your breasts and repositions your nipples to create a smaller, firmer profile. Prior to the surgery, you’re placed in an upright position and your breasts are marked where the incisions are to be made. Using these markings as a guide, skin, fat and breast tissue are removed. Often, the nipples are also sagging, so we reposition the nipples and areola higher up on the newly reshaped breast tissue. Often times, a temporary drain is inserted at the end of surgery to help drain any fluid that may accumulate afterward.
The procedure generally takes three hours and for most of our patients is performed as day surgery. Patients with multiple significant medical conditions such as diabetes may rarely need to be admitted to our medical center overnight.
Will there be any scarring from my surgery?
There will be some breast reduction scars; however, this depends on the type of incisions. Two types of incisions are generally performed by surgeons in the United States. One is an anchor (reverse “T”) type of incision. The other type is called a short-scar or vertical incision (lollipop). This eliminates scarring underneath the breasts. I prefer the short-scar breast reduction technique and have published articles on this type of procedure. With this type of approach, not only is the surgical scar diminished, but the breast shape is also improved.
What does the recovery involve?
If a drain was inserted during surgery, you’ll come back to the Cosmetic Surgery Center in two days to have it removed. Our care team provides complete instructions to you to ensure your smooth breast reduction recovery, including no heavy lifting or serious exercising and only light activity for the first week after surgery.
For four to six weeks after surgery you must wear a sports bra to support your reshaped breasts and reduce strain on your incisions. After six weeks, you return to our Cosmetic Surgery Center for your first follow-up visit. At that time we’ll let you know if you can resume all your normal activities. Our team continues to monitor your progress closely during your three- and nine-month visits, and finally one year after your breast reduction procedure.
What is most important for me to keep in mind for a successful surgery?
I can’t emphasize enough that you should learn as much as you can about breast reduction surgery. At the Cosmetic Surgery Center, we help you do that before any decisions are made about the procedure and how it will be performed. We know from experience that no two patients are alike. Our caring, skilled team shows you photos, provides educational materials you can take home and read, answers all your questions and discusses with you what can and can’t be done through reduction mammaplasty surgery. You always know what to expect before, during and after surgery.
For more information on breast reduction or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Akyurek or a member of the UMass Memorial Cosmetic Surgery Team, please call 508-334-5990, fill out our contact us form or email us at cosmeticsurgery@umassmemorial.org.
For more information, please call 508-334-5990.
