Your breast reduction consultation is a great opportunity to discuss your procedure goals, any other personal factors that will help your surgeon create an ideal procedure plan for you, and to ask the right questions. You should leave your consultation feeling informed, prepared for and confident about the procedure. If you’re not quite sure what questions to ask, we have put together a list that should help you to get the information that you need.
What is a breast reduction?
A breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is designed to reduce the size of overly large breasts, which can sometimes cause a variety of health concerns for women, such as daily discomfort, pain and poor posture. By reducing the size of the breasts, the breasts can feel lighter, restoring comfort levels.
What to ask during your consultation
- First, ask about your surgeon’s experience.
It’s important to choose a plastic surgeon who has extensive experience performing breast reduction surgeries. Ask your surgeon about their training, qualifications, and experience. You can also ask to see before-and-after photos of previous patients who have undergone breast reduction surgery, but remember to view these as a guide only and not a direct reference for how you can expect your results to look, as every patient is different. Ideally, before your consultation, you should read about your surgeon online to get a good idea about their qualifications and experience in advance. - Ask what type of breast reduction techniques your surgeon uses.
There are several breast reduction techniques available, including traditional (anchor) breast reduction, vertical breast reduction, and liposuction-only breast reduction. The best technique for you will depend on your personal procedure goals and individual needs, so you should find out which technique your surgeon thinks they should use during your consultation. - Ask about the risks and complications.
All procedures can be associated with some potential complications, and although your surgeon will put techniques in place to prevent these complications from occurring, it’s still important to be informed about every aspect of the procedure. You will want to feel confident that your surgeon will do what they can to minimise risks, and feel informed about the level of your personal risk. - Ask about the recovery process.
Every patient is different, and since a breast reduction is a personalised procedure, each patient may experience a slightly different recovery time frame and have differing lists of recovery instructions. Your breast reduction consultation is the ideal time to discuss all of these factors, so you can begin to prepare and organise taking the amount of time off work that you will need. Depending on the extent of your surgery and your overall health, you may need to stay overnight in the hospital after breast reduction surgery. You should also ask your surgeon about what to expect during your hospital stay, including any post-operative care and monitoring that will be required before you return home. - Ask how you can expect your breasts to look and feel after surgery.
Breast reduction surgery can improve the size, shape, and position of your breasts, but it’s important to have realistic expectations about the outcome and understand that every patient is unique. During your breast reduction consultation, ask your surgeon about what your breasts will look and feel like after surgery, including any potential scarring, changes in nipple sensation, and changes in breast shape. It’s highly important to ensure that you and your surgeon have a mutual understanding of your procedure goals. Additionally, you should discuss the permanency of your results – a breast reduction is designed to achieve a permanent change, however, changes in weight, pregnancy and the natural ageing process can potentially impact the results in the long run. Discuss what you can do to help maintain your results and make sure to mention if you are planing on having children in the future. - If you think you may have a child after your procedure, make sure to ask about the possibility of breastfeeding.
Surgery performed on the breasts can sometimes have complications, such as potentially affecting your ability to breastfeed. Your surgeon can explain how breast reduction surgery may impact breastfeeding and what steps can be taken to preserve your ability to breastfeed. Generally, experienced surgeons will put practices in place to minimise potential complications like these, but it is important to discuss the possibility of these complications occurring. - Ask for a personalised costs quote.
Since the procedure is very personalised, the cost of breast reduction surgery can vary depending on several factors, such as the specific technique used and level of reduction required. Your breast reduction consultation is a great opportunity to discuss your costs in detail, and receive a detailed breakdown of your individual procedure costs. - Ask about private health insurance and Medicare coverage.
In some cases, a portion of your surgery costs may be covered by insurance if it is deemed medically necessary due to symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, or skin irritation. Discuss your individual case with your surgeon to see if you may be able to apply for cover. If you might be eligible for cover, allow yourself plenty of time to organise this before your procedure date. - Ask any questions you may have about what you can do to prepare for your procedure.
During your consultation, don’t forget to ask your surgeon about what steps you can take to prepare for surgery and optimise your chances of a successful outcome. Your surgeon may recommend that you make some lifestyle changes before undergoing breast reduction surgery, such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding certain medications that can increase the risk of bleeding. As mentioned before, you will need to take a certain amount of time off from work to recover from your procedure, so it is also important to discuss this as organising time off work will be one of the steps you will need to take to prepare. - Ask what you can do to minimise scarring your surgery.
Visible scarring is a potential side effect of breast reduction surgery, but there are steps you can take to minimise the visibility of these scars. Your surgeon will put measures in place throughout the procedure to minimise scarring as much as possible, but it is a good idea to ask your surgeon about what you can do to further care for your incisions after surgery to prevent scarring, including any topical treatments or scar-reducing techniques.
Why Dr Broadhurst is a great choice for a breast reduction in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast
Dr Broadhurst is a respected Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, who focuses on effective procedures involving the breasts and body.
Driven by his goal to make a positive impact on his patient’s lives, he strives to deliver highly regarded results. His friendly and approachable nature ensures that his patients feel comfortable and secure throughout their entire treatment process, from their first consultation to their post-operative recovery.
During your consultation, you will receive expert advice and practical information to help you feel prepared for your procedure. If you are bothered by uncomfortably large breasts and are considering a breast reduction, contact us today to organise a consultation.
