Breast reduction surgery
Breast reduction
Large and heavy breasts can cause neck and shoulder pain and back pain in many women. For some patients, they can also be cosmetically unsightly and cause psychological distress.
During a breast reduction, the nipple is moved up while excess skin, fat and glandular tissue are removed. To get the best possible result from breast reduction and to avoid complications, it is recommended that the patient is of normal weight or possibly performs weight loss prior to the operation.
The surgical incision goes around the nipple, from the nipple and then under the breast as a
inverted T. In some cases, only a vertical scar remains. The sensation in the nipple may sometimes disappear or be reduced, but returns after a while.
We usually close the wound with stitches that dissolve on their own. It is common to insert a drain (tube) that removes blood and fluid from the wound area under the skin. These are usually removed 1-2 days after the operation and at the first check-up. The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they fade and soften. However, the scars are hidden by a bra or swimsuit, and will not be visible in low-cut dresses. In rare cases, the scars become wide and clearly visible because this depends on the patient's own inherited characteristics. We recommend that you tape the scars for a couple of months after the operation. If scar correction will improve the conditions, this is done for up to one year after the breast reduction.
The operation provides grounds for sick leave (2-3 weeks). Physical exercise and hard physical work should be postponed for about 4 weeks.
Who can have breast reduction?
Women with large breasts that cause discomfort and pain in the back and neck. The reduction and surgery can eliminate the back and shoulder pain that has been caused by large breasts.
Newer surgical methods mean that women do not lose the ability to breastfeed after surgery. Therefore, breast reduction candidates do not need to worry about not being able to breastfeed their children if they choose to have breast reduction.
Other alternatives to breast reduction
There are alternatives to breast reduction. For example, you can have a breast lift. The process can reduce the size of the breasts and lift them at the same time so that they stop sagging. This can reduce the pain you experience in your shoulders and back.
Common patient concerns
Scars: The scars will initially be slightly visible, but after a few months these scars will disappear. Fortunately, they are placed in very modest areas, so they are not visible afterwards. Scars around the nipple do not need to be a concern, and as mentioned earlier, we can perform scar correction up to a year after the breast reduction surgery.
Numbness: Patients may experience numbness around the nipples in some cases. This can last up to a month, but will eventually go away. This is nothing to worry about, but patients can always contact the clinic if they are concerned.
Discomfort/pain: If the patient experiences pain or discomfort after 2 weeks, we recommend that the patient contact our clinic. Concerns and unusual symptoms should be addressed with the clinic as soon as possible.
Pick-up and possible accommodation
If you live far from the clinic, we recommend that you stay overnight in or near Oslo.
Hotels near Oslo Plastic Surgery;
Hotel Gabels Hus in Gabelsgate 16.
Frogner House Apartments, Bygdøy Allé 53.
Remember that you must have someone pick you up from the clinic and accompany you to the hotel after the surgery by car as you will not be walking or taking public transport. You must also have someone with you.
the same day and the first night.
Before breast reduction surgery
You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you are in doubt whether you have a cold or similar, you must contact us. The operation is not performed when you have the flu with fever, cough or other infection in the body. Before the operation you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, possibly painkillers and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml which you can buy at the pharmacy.
The day before surgery and on the day of surgery, you should wash your entire body with Hibiscrub solution in the shower. This is a disinfectant soap that should be rinsed off with water, and the skin should be dried with a clean towel. Put on clean clothes when you leave home. Do not use perfume or cream. All jewelry, piercings and nail polish/false nails must be removed at the latest the day before surgery and may be put back on 7 to 10 days after surgery.
To get the best possible result and to avoid complications, it is recommended that you have a normal weight, and not an excessively high BMI. If you smoke, or use nicotine such as snus or electronic cigarettes, you must quit at least 2 weeks before the surgery and 2 weeks after the surgery.
You should arrive at the surgery fasting. This means that you should not eat food including fruit or drink juice with pulp or dairy products 6 hours before the surgery. You can drink water, juice, juice without pulp or coffee/tea without dairy products or chew gum/drops/throat lozenges up to 4 hours before the surgery. Medications that you may need to take on the day of surgery can be swallowed with 1 glass of water max. 100 ml up to 1 hour before the start of anesthesia.
It is important that you stop taking blood-thinning medications about 14 days before the operation, preferably after consulting your GP or us. For other medications, consult the clinic before the operation. A lot of garlic and health food preparations should also not be consumed.
You must arrange in advance with someone to pick you up from the clinic approximately 1 hour after the completion of the breast reduction surgery, as you cannot drive a car, take public transport or a taxi alone.
On the day of surgery
You will be received by our staff who will prepare you for the operation before the surgeon sees you. Before the actual procedure, the surgeon will go over the procedure, draw up the plan, and answer any questions you may have. Anesthesia personnel will also come to greet you and answer your questions.
When the surgery is about to begin, the operating room nurse will pick you up and clean the surgical area while the anesthesia personnel will give you a sedative in your arm so that you are asleep during the surgery. In addition, the surgeon will apply local anesthesia to the surgical area for a long-lasting pain relief effect in the surgical area after the surgery, which will also reduce bleeding in the area.
After the operation, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will have your own bed. You will then rest for 1-2 hours and will be served food and plenty of drinks in the form of bread, yogurt and juice (remember to inform about allergies). Painkillers may be given if necessary.
The surgeon will see you before your return trip/hotel stay and you will be assessed by an anesthesiologist before you travel home with an adult companion. The PVK attached to your hand will be removed before you leave. You must use a car or taxi as a means of transportation immediately after surgery, we do not recommend public transportation or walking.
After breast reduction surgery,
All patients will come for a post-operative check-up the day after surgery. We recommend that you do not travel by air for the first 48 hours after surgery. During this time, a check-up appointment will be arranged at the clinic and you will come for a check-up at the clinic the day after surgery.
The first few hours after the operation you may feel a little tired, and sometimes a little nauseous. It is important that you take painkillers as prescribed and as needed, and make sure to drink plenty of fluids during the first 24 hours. Some people may feel a little dizzy, so it is a good idea to take a few minutes when you get up. For the first two days you should rest and lie as still as possible. For the next five days you can move carefully. If you have an active job, it is a good idea to stay home.
The final result can only be assessed after 3-6 months. Follow-up checks are arranged with the clinic; the day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months, as well as a final check-up after a year. You must call to arrange the check-ups yourself, or make an appointment with the clinic on the day of surgery.
Bleeding and infection are uncommon and in very few cases require reoperation and/or antibiotic treatment. Anesthesia complications, such as allergic reactions to anesthetics, are extremely rare.
Physical exercise and hard physical work should be avoided for about 4 weeks.
The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they will fade and soften.
If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear improvement potential. This is our guarantee period.
On this page you will find information about breast reduction surgery such as:
Ask for guidance and advice on breast reduction:
The best advice we can give face to face. We will guide you to the best solution for you.
The responsible physician is Dr. Amin Kalaaji , MD, specialist in plastic surgery and clinic manager at Oslo Plastic Surgery, and head of the Norwegian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NFEP) 2018-2020.
Dr. Kalaaji holds many positions and gives lectures and trainings around the world. This benefits all our patients as he is always up to date on the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques.
Patient safety, high quality and individual treatment always have the highest priority at Oslo Plastic Surgery.
Questions & Answers
When you want smaller breasts and/or change their shape.
All patients must undergo a consultation before surgery. The consultation is conducted by our experienced plastic surgeon who will ask you questions about your medical status; past or current illnesses, previous surgeries, use of medications, etc. An examination is then performed, and the surgeon considers a possible operation.
For patients with long distances to travel, we offer consultations via telephone and/or video consultation. We will then send you a health information form in advance, which you must fill out and return to us before the consultation. You will also send us some photos.
Should surgery be necessary, the surgeon will conduct a thorough assessment/consultation with you the day before the planned surgery.
You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you are in doubt whether you have a cold or similar, you must contact us. The operation is not performed when you have the flu and/or fever or cough or other infection. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, possibly painkillers and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
In Norway, it is not allowed to show before and after pictures of silicone from cosmetic procedures such as breast reduction in marketing or on the clinic's website. However, we can show you beautiful pictures from previous patients when you come for a consultation with the surgeon. This can be very helpful when we discuss the size of the implant, and it can make it easier for you to imagine an expected result.
We can also offer a preliminary examination with a 3D imaging system. We take pictures of your body and can use image simulation to show you what an expected result will look like with different sizes and implant types.
If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear improvement potential. This is our one-year warranty agreement.