Breast reduction

Women with large, heavy breasts can suffer from back, neck, and breast pain, indents on shoulders from bra straps, irritation of the skin underneath the breasts, or breast asymmetry. Not only these women experience physical discomfort but also severe psychological distress. In such cases, breast reduction surgery is recommended.

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that helps reduce large breasts and improve their shape by removing the excess skin and tissue underlying under it. Breast reduction procedure is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed because of the possible injury to milk ducts during the breast reduction surgery.

Consultation

Upon arrival for the surgery, the first step always a consultation with the operating plastic surgeon. After evaluating your skin elasticity, shape and natural size of breasts, the extent of sagging, and your expectations, the surgeon will decide on the surgical technique to be used for your breast lift surgery. 

Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 3 hours. During this surgery,areola (dark brownish area around the nipple) can be reduced in size, which becomes enlarged over time as the breasts develop. Incisions are usually placed around the areola, downward in a vertical line, and in the crease under the breast. During the surgery, the surgeon removes excess skin and breast tissue, repositions the nipple and the areola to their anatomical location on the breast, and reshapes the breasts into a more esthetic shape. The surgery is completed by placing the drains, which are removed next day after the surgery. Then, the plastic surgeon removes excess fat, skin, and tissue and repositions the remaining skin and areola.

Recovery

• Because the nipple is partially separated from the surrounding breast tissue and innervation is slightly altered during the surgery, nipple sensation is reduced, which improves over time
• Swelling in the breasts remains for 2–3 weeks
• Stitches are removed on the 8th–12th day after the surgery
• Patients should avoid heavy lifting above the shoulder level for 3 weeks after the surgery
• Special support bra should be worn for 4-6 weeks after surgery
• Physical activity should be avoided for 2–3 months after the surgery
• Post-operative scars should be protected from direct sunlight for a period of no less than 6 months to make them less noticeable
• Most patients resume their daily routines within 1–2 weeks
• The final outcome of the surgery is seen after 4 months when the breasts settle in

PATIENT JOURNEY

Enquiry

• If you would like to get a quote for surgery feel free to fill in this questionnaire: QUESTIONNAIRE.
• The surgeon will evaluate your general health and prepare an individual treatment plan, our patients coordinator will get in touch with you within 1-2 working days.

Booking the treatment

• Once you are approved for the surgery you can choose the suitable date for the treatment. For women: it is recommended to plan the surgery between your menstrual cycles.
• To book the surgery you will be asked to pay deposit payment.
• Next step - flights and accommodation booking. We can also offer help with arranging Your trip and accommodation.

Preparing for the surgery at home

• One month before surgery you will receive guidlines you will be recommended to follow before surgery.

Preparing for the surgery at the clinic

• You will need to arrive to Lithuania at least one day before the surgery. On the 1st a mandatory COVID-19 test is performed, as well as blood tests, ECG, consultation with surgeon.
• Before the surgery you will have to sign an agreement to undergo the surgery and anaesthesia. Please read these documents carefully and if there will be some obscurity or questions sort them out with the doctor and/or doctor-anaesthetist before signing the agreements.
• The payment for the surgery conditions are stated in the Agreement for the provision of personal health care services. The payment can be made by cash or credit card before surgery.

Surgery

• On the day of surgery it is forbidden to use any cosmetics (make up, body cosmetics, inluding self-tanning cosmetics) or jewellery (including all kind of piercings).
• On the 2nd – 3rd day you will have the surgery. You will need to stay at the hospital for 1-2 nights. Here you will be provided with all needed medication and care. Bring only personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb etc.). Pyjamas, robe, slippers will be provided by the clinic personnel.
• After the surgery medicine package is given for the first days after surgery.

Back home

• If you have any questions you are always welcome to contact us by phone or email.

Numerous of patients and future patients have already joined our online women only community for plastic surgery. This community is created for people who have had or are planning to have surgery at Kardiolita Hospital in Lithuania and are interested in finding out more information about surgery, surgeon, clinic, healing process or any other prior or post surgery concerns and questions. Join our plastic surgery community on Facebook!