Get the Right Bust for Your Body
Are your breasts too big? Do they cause you unwanted pain and not complement the shape and curves of the rest of your body?
Breast Reduction surgery may be right for you. A breast reduction procedure involves the removal of breast tissue, skin, and fat in women who suffer physical symptoms or emotional problems as a result of overly large breasts.
Overly large breasts may limit physical mobility and Dr Joseph Rizk frequently consults women who wish to reduce the size of their breasts when they feel they are being restricted in their everyday lives. At Dr Joseph Rizk Plastic Surgery in Sydney breast reduction surgery is performed in accredited facilities. Patients with private health insurance may be eligible for a rebate.
What is Breast Reduction surgery?
Also called “reduction mammoplasty”, the ultimate goal of breast reduction surgery is to increase the quality of life for the patient by reducing muscular and skeletal pain associated with large breasts (Macromastia) as well as improving the aesthetic presentation of the breasts and entire figure.
Watch this short video as Dr Rizk explains more about breast reduction surgery
This is done by removing excess fat, tissue, and skin from your breasts and reshaping them into a form that fits your body better. Overly large breasts may cause both physical and emotional discomfort. The added weight can lead to muscle and spine problems if left untreated over time and can make the performance of daily activities extremely uncomfortable.
Further, women with Macromastia can experience emotional pain or mental health distress because of the self-consciousness created by excessively large breasts. While it is often performed for medical reasons, some women choose to have breast reduction surgery to reduce stress from other factors, including social stigma and finding clothes they feel comfortable in.
Not Sure if You're a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction? Book a Consultation With Dr. Rizk
Benefits of Breast Reduction surgery
Women who undergo breast reduction surgery are often driven by a desire to eliminate the stress of having overly large breasts. These issues can manifest themselves, such as:
- Nerve pain
- Low self-image
- Chronic back pain
- Difficulty finding clothes that fit
- Limitations on everyday activity
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Stress on chest muscles and ligaments
While it is not a “cure-all,” breast reduction surgery can reduce the impact of these problems in a woman’s life. During your consultation for breast reduction Sydney plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Rizk will evaluate your current condition and take all of your concerns and desires into consideration.
HOW CAN OVERSIZED BREASTS AFFECT ME?
When your breasts are too large, it can affect your life in a number of ways. The most obvious are physical, but it can also impact your self-esteem and confidence. In either situation, breast reduction surgery can help you live your life most fully.
Personal
- Self-consciousness: Overly large breasts are difficult to ignore for women who have them. Practically, they tend to define the clothes that you may wear and feel comfortable in, but they also may make you feel like they are the only thing people notice about you. This can lead to feelings of isolation that can create significant emotional stress.
- Self-esteem: Those feelings of self-consciousness and alienation can have a negative effect on a woman’s self-esteem. Many women with oversized breasts can feel defined by their body while the rest of who they are — their intellect, abilities, and personality — may seem ignored. This focus on one aspect of a person rather than their whole self can seriously reduce their self-esteem.
- Confidence: All of these factors tend to combine to negatively affect a woman’s confidence in life. She may feel reserved or intimidated about being fully present in her professional or social interactions out of fear that her large breasts will be all anyone sees of her, causing her to potentially miss out on opportunities of career advancement and connection with others.
Physical
- Back and neck pain: Neck and back pain may be the most commonly reported physical issue associated with oversized breasts. The added strain on your body when trying to maintain correct posture is often caused by the excess weight on the chest. When breast size is reduced, the weight on the chest is lessened, and the extra strain on your body is reduced as well.
- Shoulder pain: Along with the back and neck, your shoulders carry the stress of the extra weight of overly large breasts as well. Muscles tighten, and tendons and ligaments are strained in supporting the excess mass. By reducing oversized breasts, this stress can be dramatically relieved, allowing your shoulders to relax and giving you an overall lighter feel every day, as well as an improvement in posture.
- Skin irritation: Breast reduction surgery can help reduce the tendency for you to experience chafing, rashes, and other skin irritations caused by overly large breasts. The weight and size of large breasts can cause drooping or sagging that traps moisture and irritants between the breasts and chest, and even everyday movement like walking or turning can cause chafing and rashes to form. But when the excess weight and size of large breasts is reduced, problems with skin irritation are typically reduced significantly as well.
- Exercise problems: Exercise can especially be a pain with oversized breasts. The additional weight, their movement, and their tendency to restrict your range of motion can all make exercise difficult. Additionally, large breasts can make it difficult to find sports bras and workout apparel that fit correctly and comfortably. After a breast reduction procedure, many patients find their ability to exercise and motivation to do so dramatically increased, giving them a greater opportunity to enjoy the healthy, active lifestyle they enjoy.
Am I a candidate for Breast
Reduction surgery?
Women who are good candidates for breast reduction surgery usually complain about one or more of the above-listed conditions, whether or not they have been clinically diagnosed with macromastia. Their breasts are too large for them to fully enjoy their lives, but they understand the process and limitations of the procedure.
Candidates are generally in good health and are non-smokers. They also do not have any serious medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease and are not significantly obese. They are free of any infections, and are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Breast reduction is a serious medical procedure and should be considered seriously before it is undertaken. We typically recommend caution with our patients and ask that you keep the following considerations in mind:
- The natural development of your breasts is complete, and you are finished with childbirth and breastfeeding.
- After a breast reduction surgery, the ability to breastfeed may be impacted, so you are not planning to breastfeed in the future.
- Natural changes to the breasts — like pregnancy or significant gain or loss of weight — can change the results of your breast reduction surgery.
- Some diagnostic procedures can be negatively impacted by breast reduction surgery.
- Any piercings of the breast or nipples can lead to infection.
- Smoking can increase the risk of complications.
Several features of your body may determine if you will respond well to a breast reduction procedure. These factors can include:
- Breast size
- Breast shape
- The extent of skin or tissue that needs to be removed
- Nipple position
- Skin condition (health, elasticity, and resilience)
Dr Rizk advocates the National Law and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY CONSIDERATIONS
It’s important to keep in mind that breast reduction surgery may cause some adverse effects in the following ways:
Breastfeeding: Removing tissue from your breasts may affect your ability to breastfeed now or in the future. Generally, we recommend that you wait to have your surgery until after you have completed nursing your last child, but this is not possible in all situations.
Nipple sensitivity: Some women report changes in the sensitivity of their nipples following their breast reduction surgery. This can manifest as both an increase in sensation or a loss of sensitivity. In many cases, lost sensation is recovered within two months, but it is possible for the lost sensitivity to be long-term.
Unfavourable scarring after breast reduction: Dr. Rizk takes every precaution possible to reduce the potential for unsightly scars to form. Still, every patient’s body can react differently to the procedure. Typically, scars are prominent at first but dissipate over time. However, skin type, recovery protocol, and lifestyle factors can all impact the formation of scars, and some can remain permanently visible.
Breast reduction results may also be impacted by natural changes in the breasts, including during pregnancy or significant gain or loss of weight. It can also interfere with some diagnostic procedures. Make sure to discuss any concerns you may have with Dr. Rizk before your surgery.
HOW MUCH WILL YOUR BREAST REDUCTION COST?
Each procedure Dr. Rizk performs is fully customised to the needs of each patient. Thus, the cost will vary significantly between each patient as well. The extent of the surgery, the time required, and the technique used all contribute to the overall cost. You will receive a detailed quote outlining all of the expenses to expect before your surgery. Dr. Rizk is committed to transparency and helping you feel informed and comfortable throughout the entire process.
Breast Reduction surgery procedure
Breast reduction surgery typically is performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be unconscious for the entire procedure. Dr Rizk will make a series of incisions in the breast that will allow for the removal of excess fat, tissue, and skin.
The desired outcome will determine the extent of the surgery and the amount of material removed. There are several possible incision patterns he may use, with the appropriate pattern discussed and determined during your consultation so you know what to expect. If the reduction deals mainly with fatty tissue, liposuction will be the primary method of removal.
However, it is often necessary to reduce the skin area as well, so that will be taken into consideration. More extensive procedures can even require a repositioning of the nipple-areola complex. Dr Rizk will then apply stitches to close the incisions, apply any necessary medicines to keep the surgery sites clean, and bandage your torso.
Not Sure if You're a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction? Book a Consultation With Dr. Rizk
Your recovery from Breast Reduction surgery
Recovery time from breast reduction surgery will vary, but you can expect there to be significant swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the first week. Because general anaesthesia is used, you will need someone to take you home from the clinic, and you should allow at least three days of rest and recuperation before returning to work or daily activities. While you will notice a reduction in breast size immediately following your surgery, you can expect changes in appearance as your body heals and settles into its new shape. These changes are natural and should not be a cause for concern.
Dr Rizk will provide you with medication to control the pain and prevent infections, as well as for instructions on how to properly care for your chest after surgery. For at least the first week, you should avoid any strenuous activities and any actions that involve extending your arms, including lifting and washing your hair. It is critical that you follow the aftercare instructions closely to make your recovery as smooth as possible and to achieve optimal results.
Recovery Timeline
Here is a general schedule of what you can expect as you recover from your breast reduction surgery:
- Immediately post-operation — You may feel confused, sleepy, and nauseated depending on your reaction to the anaesthetic, but these should dissipate after a few hours. Soreness and swelling are to be expected, and you may feel numbness in and around your chest. However, as the anaesthesia wears off, you may begin to feel more intense pain.
- Week 1 — Sleep may be difficult as you should avoid putting any pressure on your breasts. Make sure to avoid any strenuous activity — like lifting, stretching, or exercise — this early in the recovery process. Dr. Rizk will probably recommend that you use readily available medicines to control the pain and inflammation, and an ice pack is often useful for providing relief. Soreness and discomfort in your chest are expected, and they may also be felt in your shoulders and upper arms, so compression garments are generally recommended. Additionally, some amount of bleeding or fluid discharge from the incisions is normal during this time. Sutures are usually removed after five to seven days, and any drains are typically removed after the first week.
- Week 2 — Many routines of your normal life may be resumed — things like resuming non-strenuous work, caring for your family, and social engagements. However, you should continue to wear compression garments, as Dr. Rizk recommends. Typically, you should be able to wear a bra (without underwire) during your second week of recovery.
- Week 3-5 — Swelling and bruising will continue to subside. Most patients are to resume engaging in more strenuous activity by week three or four. Still, you should start gently and slowly, increasing the intensity of your workouts as is comfortable. Keep in mind that it is still critical to prevent any trauma to your chest and follow Dr. Rizk’s recommendations.
- Week 7+ — By this time, the swelling should completely subside, and your final results should be visible. Continue to take care of your chest to ensure complete healing and the most optimal results possible.
Your Breast Reduction surgery results
The final results will take time to be realised as your body heals. As the swelling subsides, you will observe a significant reduction in the size of your breasts and the associated physical symptoms or pain. Scars will be readily noticeable for the first few months but should subside over time.
Why Choose Us
- Feel more confident and feminine in your appearance.
- Led by Dr Joseph Rizk, a world-renowned Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon.
- Personalised and detailed consultation with Dr Joseph Rizk to ensure your desired outcome is achieved.
- Experience superior post-operative care designed to minimise scarring, including complimentary 6-week aftercare to prevent complications.
- Benefit from 24/7 access to Dr. Rizk for any concerns, ensuring peace of mind throughout your recovery.
- Our on-site nurse is available around the clock to provide personalised support whenever you need it.
- Additionally, access exclusive 3D Crisalix reviews showcasing before and after results. See how you’ll look in various positions and outfits—from lying down to standing up, and wearing different clothes like bikinis or dresses. You can even view these results from the comfort of your home, ensuring confidence in your aesthetic outcomes.
Learn more about Breast Reduction surgery in Sydney with a consultation with Dr Joseph Rizk
If your breasts are causing you pain or discomfort — physically or emotionally — because they are too big, talk to Sydney plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Rizk today. You can book a consultation with Dr. Rizk via the link, or call on 1300 512 345 during office hours.
About Dr Joseph Rizk
Award-Winning Reconstructive & Plastic Surgeon in Sydney The International Winner of Plastic Surgeon of the Year AUSTRALASIA (MyFaceMyBody Awards 2020), Dr Joseph Rizk is a trusted advanced Sydney Plastic Surgeon. He has undergone significant training to become an expert in body, face, and breast surgery. These are his exclusive areas of clinical practice. He has a particular interest in breast reconstruction. No matter what you’re looking to change with plastic surgery Sydney surgeon, Dr. Rizk, can help you realise your vision of your real you.
Dr. Rizk is celebrated for his meticulous surgical skills and innovative approaches, making him the go-to specialist for complex and intriguing plastic surgery cases. He has undergone numerous training fellowships in the Netherlands, Spain, New York and Dallas, keen to understand any cutting-edge treatment. His precision and dedication are unmatched, earning him the trust of both patients and peers.
Dr Rizk is an Australian-trained doctor who has also undertaken additional surgical fellowship training at the prestigious Dutch Association of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Netherlands. Furthermore, Dr Rizk was a Postgraduate Fellow at The Children’s Hospital Westmead.
Joseph has visited UT Southwestern Plastic Surgery Department, Dallas, Texas, USA. He has cultivated new and innovative options for breast reconstruction with Dr Sumeet Teotia. The Plastic Surgeons at UT Southwestern are innovative and world leaders in Plastic Surgery. It was a very stimulating and useful period.
Dr Rizk became Australasia’s plastic surgeon of the year by making sure that each patient is heard, respected, and treated well. His patient-first approach provides you with the accurate medical information you need to make informed decisions about your course of treatment. At the same time, he offers his decades of knowledge and experience to help you along your path.
If your breasts are sagging or if you’d like fuller, perkier breasts and not sure where to start. We recommend speaking directly with Dr Joseph Rizk with a personalised consultation – this way, if you’re considering a breast augmentation, breast lift and fat transfer surgery or a different kind of breast surgery and want to know what your options are.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Hons 1), University of Sydney
- Specialist training: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, New South Wales
- Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)
- Surgical Fellowship, Dutch Association of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Netherlands
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