10 Common Myths About Breast Reduction

Do you suffer from back, neck, and shoulder pain or struggle to do sport because of the size of your breasts? Do you get unpleasant rashes or sweating beneath your breasts? Perhaps you simply don’t like the attention your breasts attract and have developed a hunched posture to hide them?

Large breasts have many limitations that may affect your ability to live a normal life. Breast reduction surgery in these cases can have a transformative effect, but women often put off surgery due to unwarranted fears and misinformation. Here, we seek to bust those myths and give you the facts you need in order to decide if surgery is for you.

Myth #1. You won’t need breast reduction surgery if you lose enough weight

While weight loss is likely to help reduce the size of your breasts, it is not always the solution. Unfortunately it is not possible to target specific areas through dieting, but neither does weight loss always occur evenly across the body. This means you may end up losing weight from other areas, while your breasts remain heavy. If you are already a healthy weight and don’t need to lose excess pounds - apart from those on your chest - then dieting will not help here either.

Myth #2. You can’t have a breast reduction until you’re 21 years old

The ideal age to have any type of breast surgery is 21 years old or above. That’s because breast development can continue into the late teens, while growth charts indicate that the average young woman gains weight between the ages of 18 and 21. Both of these factors will affect eventual breasts size. However, in some cases, it is in the interest of the patient to perform surgery prior to maturity being reached. If a teenage girl is suffering from physical or mental distress because of breasts size, most surgeons would consider performing surgery. It is worth bearing in mind though that breasts may increase in size as development continues.

Myth #3. You can use liposuction to perform a breast reduction

This is not a complete myth - some breast reductions can be performed using liposuction but only in cases where minimal reduction is required. If you only wish to go down one, maybe two, cup sizes and have good skin tone, this could be an option for you. Most patients we see however, require more extensive reduction and are not good candidates for lipo-reduction. If large amounts of fat are removed via liposuction it will leave the patient with loose, sagging skin and poor breast shape.

Myth #4. A breast reduction will correct droopy breasts

If you’re suffering from ptosis - the medical term for sagging breasts - a breast reduction alone will not solve the problem. For that, you will require a breast lift. Confusion arises here because breast reductions are often carried out at the same time as a breast lift, but they are in fact two separate surgeries. Make sure you discuss your aesthetic goals with your surgeon, so they understand your desire for both lighter and perkier breasts and can quote you for treatment that will meet your expectations.

Myth #5. Breasts can be made as small as the patient desires

After years of living with large breasts, you may wish to go right to the other end of the scale and have them made very small. Unfortunately, you can’t always request the exact size you want to be - this is dictated by your body. It is important to leave enough breast tissue to provide an adequate amount of blood supply to the nipple. Furthermore, aesthetically, you’ll want to leave enough breast tissue in relation to the size of the nipple (you don’t want a breast that is all nipple). Your surgeon will advise what approximate size will give you the best result.

Myth #6. Breast reduction surgery means you have to have your nipples cut off

Lots of women considering breast reduction worry about their nipples being detached, but usually the nipples remain attached to the breast tissue beneath. They are simply moved to a higher position. This keeps the blood supply intact and the nipple functioning as it should. Only in some cases, where a patient has extremely large breasts, is complete detachment required. The nipple will be trimmed and grafted into place. The new nipple will be flatter, paler and sensation will be reduced but it can still be well worth it for patients troubled by large breasts.

Myth #7. Breast reduction surgery leaves bad scarring

Scars from breast reduction as not nearly as bad as people think. The incisions your surgeon makes will depend on the extent of your reduction. There are two main techniques, but both are similar in terms of visible scarring. You will have vertical scars from your nipples to the base of your breasts. Although they will be pink for a number of months they will eventually fade within 12-18 months to become less noticeable. There will also be scars around the circumference of your nipples, but those can be disguised by micropigmentation at a later stage. For patients who have the Hall-Findlay anchor-shaped incisions, these will be hidden in the fold of the breast.

Myth #8. The recovery from breast reduction surgery is long and painful

Because breast reduction only deals with skin and fat (not muscle or bone) it is one of the least painful procedures. You can expect a few days of discomfort but nothing that can’t be managed with painkillers. In terms of downtime, you will need to take a week off work - longer if you have a physical job - and you won’t be able to drive for a week. If you’ve had non-dissolvable stitches, these will be removed after 10 days. Exercise can be resumed after one month.

Myth #9. Breasts will grow back after breast reduction surgery

You might be worried that your breasts will just grow back again following a breast reduction but there is no reason this should happen if you maintain your body weight. It is a good idea to establish a sustainable diet and exercise regime ahead of your operation to avoid fluctuations in weight afterwards. If you crash diet before surgery, for example, you’re more likely to regain that weight post-surgery, jeopardising your results. Pregnancy may also lead to an undoing of results, so if you’re planning on becoming pregnant you may wish to put your surgery on hold.

Myth #10. It is not possible to breastfeed after breast reduction

Leaving the nipple and areola area still attached to the breast tissue beneath greatly reduces the risk of patients experiencing problems breastfeeding. If you think you may wish to breastfeed in future, discuss it with your surgeon so they can tailor the surgery. Taking extra care not to damage nerves will ensure the patient retains the greatest chance of being able to nurse - but remember, breastfeeding is not always successful regardless of whether you’ve had surgery or not. It is advisable to wait at least 24-months after having a breast reduction before trying to breastfeed, giving your nerves time to recover and for full sensation to return.

Breast reduction surgery can transform your life. Find out more by contacting Ocean Clinic Marbella on 951 775 518

Recovery After Plastic Surgery - What You Need to Know

Electing to undergo surgery is a big decision. You may well be concerned about the length of time it will take you to get back on your feet again afterwards.

To make sure you know exactly what to expect, Ocean Clinic Marbella has put together a guide covering all aspects of the recovery process. Post-surgical care will vary from procedure to procedure, but the information below applies to most surgeries.

Going home from the clinic

It is advisable not to drive after surgery as your body is recovering from the effects of the anesthetic. You will also have reduced movement and may be experiencing some pain. Therefore, you should arrange in advance for someone to drive you. We can organise a taxi for you, if necessary.

We recommend that you have someone stay with you for a least 48 hours following surgery. It is great to have the help and support of a partner or friend at this time and they can assist you should you start to feel unwell. You may also be unable to drive for a period of time. If you do not have anyone to call on, we can recommend carers who can be privately hired.  

Painkillers and antibiotics

Everybody experiences pain differently, but in general you should expect to be taking painkillers for around three to five days. Pain is usually well managed with over the counter medication, although it may leave you feeling fatigued so make time to rest.

You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to take to minimise the chances of post-surgical infection. The full course should be finished, even if you feel fully recovered. You will also be given a stomach protector tablet to take daily.

Bruising and swelling

Healing differs greatly from person to person - some people bruise easily, while others hardly bruise at all. You will probably have an idea of how well you heal or how prone to swelling you are, which can help inform you about how long your recovery is likely to take.

However, it is safe to assume a period of around two weeks for bruising and swelling to subside (a little longer if you are having facial bones broken). You may be offered a course of lymphatic drainage sessions to help get rid of swelling faster. If you have had fat transfer, the area will continue to decrease in size for around six weeks while fat is reabsorbed.

Dressings and stitches

You will be asked to return to the clinic at different intervals after your surgery in order to have dressings changed or removed, and for the surgeon to check you are healing well.

Some procedures use dissolvable stitches, meaning you won’t have to have them removed. If you have received regular stitches, you will be asked to come back in after 10 days for them to be taken out. If you have undergone rhinoplasty, your nose cast will also be removed after 10 days.

Taking a bath or shower

Some dressings can be worn in the shower and dried with a hairdryer afterwards. Other bandages and casts must be kept dry meaning you will be unable to bathe properly until they are removed.

You should plan to wash with a flannel and you might want to seek the assistance of a partner or friend to wash your hair. You can be well prepared by stocking up on toiletries like dry shampoo and face wipes in advance.

Compression garments

If you have had liposuction, you might be asked to wear a compression garment - or in the case of breast surgery, a surgical bra. This should stay on at all times, although it can be taken off for showering.

You may have to wear this garment for as long as a month so it is a good idea to plan outfits that will cover it. Bear in mind that it might be a little hot to wear in summer so you’ll want to keep out of the sun.

Sleeping

To aid lymphatic drainage and help swelling go down, you may be asked to sleep in a semi-upright position. If you have a facial cast on or have had breast implants, it is even more important to sleep in a way that will not impair your surgical results.

You can prepare for this by investing in a v-shaped cushion that you can use to prop yourself up in bed. Sleeping may be uncomfortable for a day or two but you will soon get used to this new position.

Scar tissue and numbness

As you heal, you may notice areas of hardness under the skin as well as lumps, bumps and unevenness. This can take months to soften up and even out so it’s important not to worry about it. To speed up the release of scar tissue, you may be offered a course of ultrasound therapy sessions.

It is important to remember that you will sustain a certain amount of nerve damage as a part of your surgery. This means that the feeling in the treated area might take a while to fully come back. You may experience numbness for a number of months while the nerves repair themselves.

The final result of your surgery

People are understandably impatient to see the results of their plastic surgery. But while you will get a good idea of what it’s going to look like after a couple of months, you won’t see the end result for around 12 months.

The healing process is very gradual and things will be changing and developing inside your body for many week post-surgery. The area that has been operated on will continue to refine and soften. Only when all hardness caused by scar tissue and swelling has gone will you really see how good it looks. To keep track of your progress, you might like to take a photo every month!

Got more questions about your surgery or recovery? Email us at info@oceanclinic.net and we’ll be happy to answer them.

Top 5 Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Treatments in Marbella

You only have to look at the designer shops of Puerto Banus, to know that Marbella is a place where people like to look good. It will probably come as no surprise, then, to learn that cosmetic and plastic surgery is very popular here.

It’s a great place to have it, too, because of the high quality of care available. In fact, the area is now gaining attention globally as a destination for plastic surgery. This has been aided by Ocean Clinic, which hosts a conference bringing more than 150 plastic surgeons from around the world to Marbella every year.

If you’re curious to know what treatments the people around you are most likely to have had done, read on for a run-down of the top five performed procedures here in Marbella.

1. Cosmetic Injections

Such are the popularity of cosmetic injections in Marbella, you probably know more people who’ve had them than you think. In the past, it was easier to spot someone who had had the treatment because practitioners had not developed such skill in administering it. This led to the ‘frozen face’ expressionless look that became synonymous with this procedure.

These days, injections can be carried out with much subtler results. The idea is to stop the wrinkles, not the expressions. Achieving this relies on having an understanding of the facial muscles - if you know exactly where to inject and how much is needed, you can easy-away forehead lines, frown lines and crow's feet, without preventing the show of emotion. Through skilled application you can even lift the brow area, giving the impression of a mini facelift. Thanks to its versatility, and relative affordability, cosmetic injections are popular with women and men of all ages.

2. Lip Filler

Large pouts are highly desired in 2018 and you will certainly notice some walking down the street. Unfortunately, this is another procedure where some people go overboard and opt for overfilling. When lips are made too large for a person’s face they can put it out of balance. A far more complementary look can be achieved with a conservative approach.

Filler can be used to refill areas where volume has been lost through age and plump out around the cupid’s bow. The focus should be on achieving a beautiful shape rather than a large size. Carried out with hyaluronic acid filler, the results will last for up to a year, but a longer-lasting alternative is a patient’s own body fat. Fat grafting, as it is known, is becoming increasingly popular - especially at Ocean Clinic Marbella, where Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye is a specialist in the procedure.

3. Breast Enlargement

When it comes to surgical procedures, breast enlargement is the most commonly requested in Marbella. Most patients are seeking to increase their bust size by around three sizes. The most popular implant size is between 350-400cc and most women here opt for round, high profile implants.

To help you choose the size that’s right for you, your surgeon will take various chest measurements. They’ll also look at other factors such as the shape of your breast bone and the amount of soft tissue you have. You’ll then be able to try sizers on to see how the implants could look. Breast enlargement has a very high level of patient satisfaction, bringing confidence for those previously worried about filling out their bikini tops.

4. Liposuction

With Marbella’s great weather and beach culture, people here tend to wear less clothing and spend much of the time in swimwear. It’s no doubt why liposuction is the second most requested surgery after breast enlargement. Liposuction is popular with both men and women, with the key areas people wish to have treated being the ‘love handles’ and ‘muffin tops’ around the waist and tummy.

Other areas of stubborn fat people commonly want addressed include ‘saddle bags’ around the hips, ‘banana rolls’ beneath the buttocks and fat from the thighs. Liposuction to the thighs is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the recent body craze for having a ‘Toblerone tunnel’ - a triangular-shaped gap at the top of the thighs. At Ocean Clinic, we use water jet-assisted liposuction, which is extra gentle and minimises trauma, resulting in faster and better healing.

5. Facelift

Marbella is a popular retirement destination for people from all over Europe and is a place retirees can enjoy a great quality of life, with lots of opportunities for socialising. As such, the older generation here are major consumers of cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Facelifts, especially, are highly in demand with those aged over 50 - particularly at Ocean Clinic, which is famous for its ‘PAVE AquaLift’. The procedure is carried out using water jet-assisted liposuction (WAL), which helps to gently separate the facial skin and tissue and remove unwanted fat deposits. WAL is then used to harvest fat from the body, which is grafted to the face in areas where volume has been lost. The result is that you might have great difficulty guessing a person’s age in Marbella!

For world-class cosmetic and plastic surgery here in Marbella, contact Ocean Clinic on 951 775 518.