FAQ: Breast Reduction

This surgery will reduce the size of both your breast through removal of fatty tissues and glandular tissue in the breast.

Exercising and losing weight could be an option but the results will vary and it does not target the breast specifically.

There is a less invasive procedure avaliable – liposuction for breast reduction.

There is a less invasive procedure available – liposuction for breast reduction.

The results of this surgery should last for a life-time, as long as the patient does not gain excessive weight.

The average volume of reduction can range from 300ml – 800ml per. breast and maximum is up to 2250 ml per. breast, however the most ideal volume of removal is less than 500 ml.

This surgery requires an incision at the inframammary crease and the removal of selective fat tissue/glandular tissue is performed.

This will all depend on the patient’s size and BMI. If the patient is smaller in size, it is recommended that they space out their procedures to avoid shock.

A long incision is made on both breast (12 inch) at the inframammary crease or under the areolas.

There will be scarring under the breast but can be hidden by the natural folds of the breast.

Yes.

Please refer to my website for photos or address this during consultation.

Not as often as breast augmentation but it is fairly common.

You can contact my office for an estimate cost. The actual cost will be discussed with you during the initial consultation after understanding your goal and after examination to decide the type of correction you need.

It should take around 1-2 hours.

The swelling should settle within a few weeks.

You will have compression dressing during your first 24 hours after surgery.

The swelling should settle within a few weeks.

In general the breasts should feel fairly normal within a few weeks to few months.

Most of our patients can breastfeed normally after surgery.

There should not be any affect on future testing.

Pain and discomfort is experienced during the first week after surgery but medication will be provided to help deal with the pain.

You will discuss postoperative pain control with Dr. Hong at your pre-operative appointment and receive a prescription.

I do not use any tubes, drains or catheters.

You should use a nice supporting bra after surgery.

The surgery is an out patient surgery done in my own surgery center.

You can resume essentially all normal daily activities after 48 hours.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and feel able to drive.

You can usually return to work less than a week. If your job is very physical than it may take a little longer.

I usually like the procedure to be done under general anesthesia.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery in the preoperative area. You may arrange to speak to an anesthesiologist by telephone prior to your surgery date.

Yes, your medication list will be reviewed during your consultation and your pre-operative appointments. Please notify your surgeon of any changes or new medications at your preoperative appointment.

You should stop taking NSAIDS, phentermine and tamoxifen two weeks prior to surgery and hormones one week prior to surgery. Please discuss tamoxifen, steroids, antimetabolites, and blood thinners with the prescribing doctor prior to scheduling your surgery. Are you able to stop them temporarily? Are you healthy for an elective surgery with general anesthesia? Take your AM blood pressure medications with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

History and physical, EKG, CBC, and metabolic panel for patients over 55 years of age. Thyroid panel for patients with thyroid disorders.

Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the start of your surgery or by midnight the night before surgery.

Arrive one and an half hour before your scheduled surgery.

You can get the information on our website or call my office for direction.

Yes. You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.

• Arrange for personal items you might need during your hospital stay
• Arrange for someone to take care of responsibilities at home and work
  Yes, arrange for help driving, heavy lifting, and caring for pets for the first few days.
• Arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital
  You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.
• Arrange for someone to stay with you the first night after surgery
  You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.
• Call your doctor if you think of other questions
  You can call my office if you have any other questions.
• Notify your doctor if you get sick within 10 days of your surgery (even minor illnesses like a cold)
• Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery. Do not smoke at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.
• Make sure you have the doctor’s contact information

This can be found on my website or by calling the office.

• Wear a button-front shirt and loose clothing to the clinic/hospital
  Yes, wear easy to dress clothing such as loose pants with an elastic waistband and a comfortable shirt with a zip up front.

• The surgery can take 1-2 hours.

• Patients usually wake up 10 minutes after the surgery.

• Usually in the recovery room, within an hour of your surgery ending.

• Only if you are at risk for bloodclots or if you have any concerns, discuss with your doctor first and medication will be provided for you.

• You will receive IV antibiotic immediately prior to surgery start and additional doses if needed in the recovery room. The antibiotic dosing follows the national surgical site infection protocol.

• Make sure your identity has been confirmed with name and date of birth
  Yes. Your driver’s license or identity such as OHIP number will need to be verified at your appointment and at the surgery center.
• Make sure your procedure has been confirmed
  Yes, review the surgery specifics at your preoperative appointment and again the day of surgery.
• Make sure the correct site of your surgery has been marked
  Yes, you will be marked while you are awake in the preoperative area. Communicate with your surgeon.
• Make sure the correct side of your surgery has been marked
  Yes, you will be marked while you are awake in the preoperative area. Communicate with your surgeon.
• Confirm any allergies and side-effects you might have
• Make sure you understand and have signed the informed consent forms
  Yes. Please also ask any questions if you need them to be clarifying.
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• I usually talk to you in the recovery room as well as with one to two days after surgery in your postoperative visit to explain how your surgery went.

• The antibiotics are stopped within 48 hours of surgery.

• Discuss with your surgeon.

• For the majority of mastopexy patients, no drains or tubes are necessary.

• You may be released once you have met all the discharge criterias.

• You need to have instructions reviewed with a responsible adult and meet all discharge criteria.

• You will receive narcotic pain pill prescription to fill prior to surgery. You may receive IV pain medication if you need.
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• Tell the doctor or nurse which pharmacy you prefer. Non-narcotic medications such as Compazine may be sent electronically but narcotic pain medications must be printed and hand delivered to the pharmacy.
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• Yes, you will receive a list of medications to avoid prior to surgery and initially after surgery. Do not take NSAIDS, ibuprofen, or aspirin until your doctor approves.
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• You can take a shower a day after your surgery.
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• You will follow up a day or two after surgery. Following this weekly appointment until you are fully recovered.
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• Your bandages will be removed at your first follow-up appointment.
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• The sutures will be removed 5 days post-operatively.
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• It is recommended that patients remain braless during the recovery process and if the patient wishes to wear a bra, they must make sure that the breast does not feel too tight.
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• You should avoid bending over or heavy lifting for two weeks.

• For most clients, you may return to work after one week. If you need to do heavy lifting the time requirement may be longer.

• You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and you feel capable of driving.When can I resume sexual activity?

• You may resume sexual activity at two to three weeks.

• Make sure your care providers wash their hands before and after your care
• Do not wait until your pain is severe before you ask for pain medication
• Make sure the call button is within reach before medical staff leave the room
• Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you stand up to prevent getting dizzy
• Do not get out of bed without help if you feel weak or dizzy
• If you cannot reach the doctor immediately, call 911.
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• You have a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• You have shortness of breath or chest pain
• You notice increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pain around your surgical incision
• You notice that your incision is separating or you have infected discharge from your incision
• Your dressing is repeatedly soaked with blood
• You have pain that your existing pain medications cannot control
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• Take pain and other medications as prescribed
• Do not drive when you are on prescription pain medications
• Do not soak in a bath or go swimming for ten days after your surgery
• Keep your incisions clean and dry
• Wear a special supportive bra as long as advised by your doctor
• Patients should remain braless for a couple of weeks or until they feel comfortable again.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting as long as your doctor advises
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming normal daily activities
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming sexual activity
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