Large breasts can cause limitations in everyday life and sports and often lead to mental stress in addition to physical discomfort. The heavy weight of the breasts can cause neck, shoulder and back pain as well as posture problems. The discomfort is often accompanied by cutting of the bra straps and skin irritation under the breast. Breast reduction can improve the symptoms. In this procedure, part of the breast tissue is removed, the nipple complex is brought up, and the breast is reshaped so that an aesthetic breast shape is formed. Breast reduction (mammareductionplasty) in many cases increases the quality of life and strengthens self-confidence.
The consultation
As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lüdi specializes in breast surgery and will be happy to advise you personally from woman to woman on the subject of breast reduction in her clinic in Basel.
As a rule, two detailed consultations take place before a breast reduction. It is very important to us that you are well informed about the procedure, that all open questions are answered and that your wishes are taken into account. Dr. Lüdi will discuss the surgical technique, the exact incision, possible risks and complications as well as the aftercare with you. Dr. Lüdi will also be happy to show you before and after photos of a breast reduction.
On the day of surgery
On the day of the operation, Dr. Lüdi prepares a photo documentation before the operation and makes the markings on the breast. You will then be prepared for the upcoming operation and accompanied to the operating room.
The operation - breast reduction in Basel
Breast reduction surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis at our clinic in Basel and takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
The technique chosen (vertical scar or T incision) depends on the breast size and anatomy. The incision is made around the areola, vertically down into the inframammary fold (vertical incision) and, if indicated, horizontally in the inframammary fold (T incision). The nipple complex is then repositioned, excess skin is removed and the glandular body is remodeled to create an aesthetic, firm breast shape. In the process, the breast size is adjusted individually based on the anatomy and as desired.
Immediately after surgery
After the operation, you can recover from the procedure in our beautiful patient rooms with a view of the Rhine and will be looked after by our team. After another visit by Dr. Lüdi, you can be picked up by an accompanying person and return home the same day.
The aftercare after breast reduction
- The first follow-up visit by Dr. Lüdi takes place the very next day.
- For 6 weeks, you should wear a well-fitting sports bra during the day and at night.
- We recommend a rest period of 6 weeks to support an optimal healing process. This means that you should refrain from sports, carrying and lifting loads and sleeping in the prone position during this time.
- Pain intensity after surgery is generally moderate and well controlled with common analgesics.
- Scar care can be started from 3 weeks postoperatively.
Risks and complications
In principle, every operation involves certain risks, but in general breast reduction is a low-risk procedure and complications rarely occur. In addition to the general surgical risks such as post-operative bleeding, infection and wound healing disorders, widened or thickened scars occasionally occur, which can, however, be corrected secondarily under local anesthesia from 6 months postoperatively. The majority of surgical scars, however, heal without problems and are hardly visible.
During the consultation, Dr. Lüdi will discuss the possible risks and complications with you in detail and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Cost of breast reduction
The costs for a breast reduction depend on your wishes, the type and extent of the operation and the materials required. During a consultation, Dr. Lüdi will put together a treatment tailored to you personally and provide you with an individual cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Not only physically does an excessively large breast often lead to neck and back pain or posture problems, it can also be a burden psychologically. For women who are affected by their large breasts and suffer from them, breast reduction is the appropriate treatment method.
Yes, breast reduction removes breast glandular tissue and tightens the breast at the same time. During surgery, the nipple complex is repositioned, excess skin is removed and the breast is reshaped to create a firm beautiful breast shape.
In principle, breast reduction can be performed at any age, provided that breast growth has been completed for at least 6 months. In certain cases, a breast reduction can also be useful for very young women with corresponding complaints. However, many women have often suffered for many years and decide, for example, after completing family planning or even at menopause age for a breast reduction.
Pain and discomfort immediately after surgery are moderate and can be well controlled with common pain medications.
Depending on the technique and the incision, the scars run around the areola, vertically down into the breast fold (vertical incision) and, if indicated, horizontally in the inframammary fold (T incision). After healing and scar maturation, the scars are usually very fine, faded and hardly visible. Dr. Lüdi will instruct you in detail after the operation regarding scar care in order to support beautiful scar healing. In rare cases, secondary correction of widened scars may be necessary from 6 months postoperatively.
Depending on the occupational activity and physical strain, you must expect to be unable to work for about 1 week.
After six weeks, healing will have progressed to the point where you can slowly return to sports. Listen to your body and watch out for warning signals such as pain or increased swelling. In these cases, it is recommended to wait with further training and to allow the body some rest.
Immediately after surgery, the breast is already reduced in size and many women immediately notice a reduced feeling of heaviness and significant relief for the shoulder-neck region. However, initially the breast is still somewhat swollen and in the following months after a breast reduction it swells on its own and becomes softer. A first result is visible after about 3 months, scar healing after 1 year.
Before a breast reduction, the subsequent ability to breastfeed can hardly be predicted. Depending on the surgical technique and the individual anatomy, if there is enough milk-producing tissue in the breast, it is still possible to breastfeed at least partially.
Simona Lüdi, MD, will be happy to welcome you for a personal consultation for breast reduction in our clinic in Basel. We look forward to seeing you.