Breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty) is designed to remove a certain amount of breast tissue to reduce the size and weight of naturally larger breasts.
While it’s often discussed in terms of discomfort relief, there’s quite a bit to unpack when it comes to understanding the type of candidate that this procedure is actually suited for, how it’s approached, and when age may be a factor.
If you’ve been thinking about having breast reduction surgery, learning about what makes someone a suitable candidate can help you understand what your surgeon may be looking for during your consultation.
What it means to be a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery
Being a candidate for breast reduction isn’t only about breast size – it’s more about how the weight and volume of the breast tissue physically affects the rest of your body.
Surgeons tend to look at aspects like posture changes, how the weight of the breasts may be putting strain on your neck or back, indentation marks from bra straps, shoulder rotation, and changes to how the upper spine moves. These are some physical signs that your body is being placed under strain by your breasts, and that you may possibly be suitable for a reduction procedure.
You may also be considered for breast reduction surgery if the size of your breasts makes it harder to move freely during certain types of exercise. It’s not uncommon for patients to say that running, swimming, or even lifting the arms overhead can feel restricted.
During a consultation, your surgeon will usually assess breast size in relation to your frame and overall proportions, but they’ll also look closely at things like asymmetry, skin condition underneath the breast fold, and whether the weight of the breast is pulling the nipple below the fold. These physical markers often help to determine if a reduction would be appropriate, and also whether Medicare or private health insurance might be able to assist with the costs of the procedure.
What is the ideal age for a breast reduction?
There isn’t a set age to define someone’s suitability for the procedure, however, timing can still factor into the results and when it is suitable to have the procedure in the candidate’s life.
Most patients tend to fall somewhere between their mid to late 20s and late 50s, but this age range is quite broad for a reason. The breasts will have needed to finish developing, so patients will generally need to be adults to undergo the procedure.
As for older patients, breast reduction surgery can definitely still be an option, but general health and the body’s ability to heal during recovery will need to be carefully considered. Even for younger patients, a discussion of your medical history and current health will be important, and your surgeon may also ask for additional advice from your GP or any specialists, if you have ongoing medical conditions.
When it comes to healing, the body will need to be able to accommodate the recovery process that the procedure will require. Factors like skin elasticity and healing capacity can change with age, which may influence the results, but factors like skin elasticity may be able to be accommodated during the procedure planning process.
Ultimately, what matters more than age is physical stability and timing, which means considering factors like your weight, any plans of pregnancy and breastfeeding, and if it is the right time to undergo the procedure.
How weight will need to be considered
The stability and range of your weight at the time of undergoing the breast reduction will be one of the main factors in determining your suitability.
You should generally be within a healthy weight range, your weight should ideally be consistent, and you shouldn’t be planning major weight loss or gain after the procedure.
Since fluctuations in weight over time can influence breast volume, it’s something your surgeon will need to ask about during your consultation.
Why plans of pregnancy and breastfeeding can also matter
When it comes to physical stability, plans for pregnancy and breastfeeding should also be taken into consideration.
If you’re planning to have children and breastfeed in the near future, your surgeon might suggest waiting until afterwards to have the size of the breasts reduced. During pregnancy, the breasts can naturally experience fluctuations in size, and again during the breastfeeding stage, which may affect the results of a breast reduction procedure, if you had the procedure beforehand.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that a candidate would be unsuitable – it will depend on a variety of individual factors, which your surgeon will normally discuss with you to help guide the decision process.
What to expect for the results over time – and how these factors can influence the results
Initially, after a breast reduction, it’s normal and expected to have some swelling. The body is trying to heal itself in the operated area, so swelling, tenderness and bruising are all a normal part of the process. Once the initial swelling begins to settle down, the reduced breast size will become easier to see.
Over time, the results of breast reduction tend to remain stable, especially when body weight is kept consistent. However, changes in weight or other changes in the body, such as pregnancy, may cause the breasts to become enlarged or smaller to some extent. The extent that these factors can affect the procedure’s results will come down to the patient’s breast size, skin elasticity, and how their body naturally distributes these changes.
Natural ageing and changes to skin elasticity can also influence the shape and position of the breasts later on. Natural changes are completely expected when it comes to undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery, as no procedure has the ability to create permanent results.
That being said, the results of the procedure are still considered as long-lasting, especially when weight is maintained to a realistic extent.
How to find out if you are a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery: Your consultation at Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
A consultation with a plastic surgeon will help you find out if you are a suitable breast reduction candidate.
At Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, you will be able to discuss your personal expectations and needs with a team of experienced specialists, practitioners and clinicians.
Founded by Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Richardson, Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery aims to provide you with compassionate and personalised support, helping you feel well-informed about all aspects of your procedure from start to finish.
Please get in touch with our team to schedule your consultation for a breast reduction with an experienced surgeon.
