Breast Reduction Surgery: My Results and Recollections

I was Determined Not to Let Post-surgical Discomfort Keep Me from Enjoying My New Figure

In a previous article, I shared my hesitance to undergo breast reduction surgery. I wondered, was I vain? Did I not appreciate the figure I had been "blessed" with? Most of all, did I truly deserve a procedure that would relieve some physical symptoms, but that would also lift a heavy burden that weighed me down emotionally as well as physically? After much soul searching and encouragement from my husband, I investigated breast reduction surgery for myself and chose an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon to perform the operation.

Surgery and Beyond: My four-hour surgery took place at an outpatient surgery center. I was fortunate to have surgical team which included an anesthesiologist, a plastic surgeon and a surgical assistant. Before rolling me into the surgical area, we talked one last time about my "goal" size. My surgeon examined my goal bra and marked my breasts with various guidelines. My goal bra served as inspiration and as a benchmark for the surgery. My surgeon used the keyhole technique to make an incision around the areola with a t-pattern underneath. She removed about a pound of tissue from each breast, and closed the incisions with surgical tape and super glue. She may have also used dissolvable stitches. A removable drain was inserted in each breast, and these drains remained in my body for about a week post-surgery.

Technically, the surgery was considered out-patient, but I remained in the hospital for about 23 hours for post-surgical care. Luckily, my husband and several friends took care of my children so I could concentrate on recovery. I was told that some patients are able to go home the same day, but I certainly benefited from an overnight stay.