Commonly experienced symptoms include back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain, strap marks on the shoulders from the weight of the breasts, a rash under the breasts, difficulty shopping for the right clothes, different size top and bottom, gaping clothing and difficulty with sports and exercise in general.
Unwanted attention from mostly the opposite sex can also be an issue.
Learn MoreThe objective of surgery (reduction mammapasty) is to reshape the breasts and raise the nipple and areola to a higher position on the chest. The scars are the trade-off for the surgery but some newer techniques have limited these. The surgery is done under general anaesthetic and involves a 1 night stay in hospital.
You will likely have surgical drains in the wound on either side for 24 hours. Most of the stiches are dissolvable but those around the areola (brown patch around the nipple) are taken out 7 – 10 days post-operatively. You wear a support bra for 2 weeks after the operation day and night. You may not be formally fitted for a new bra until 6 – 8 weeks after the surgery.
Find Out MoreBefore contemplating surgery it is best to get to a target weight. This is better for you having an anaesthetic and better for the outcome of the surgery. If you are a smoker, it is essential to stop completely 4 weeks prior to your surgery. Elements of cigarette smoke bind your oxygen (carbon monoxide) and reduce the size of your blood vessels (nitrous oxide). Both of these would have an adverse effect on wound healing.