Breast Reduction

Attractive breasts that give you freedom in your lifestyle: Free to be any size or shape you choose, wear what you want, exercise as you please!

Your dream can be a reality with the expertise of Dr Georgina Konrat who is a fully qualified and experienced female Cosmetic Surgeon in Brisbane, Queensland. Breast surgery is one of her areas of special focus and she approaches it with a real sense of artistry and a constant drive for perfection.

As a woman, she has an “insider’s understanding” of how a woman likes to look and feel. Her constant goal is to provide women with the best visual and well-being outcome, whatever the circumstances. Dr Konrat uses the very latest techniques in breast reduction surgery to achieve the most natural and long lasting result.

Large breasts can cause physical discomfort and can also affect emotional health and wellbeing. The weight of large breasts can cause back, shoulder and neck pain, bra strap grooving, rash under the breasts and numbness in stretched tissues, as well as the social challenges of teasing, unwanted attention and difficulty of finding clothing.

Over-large breasts can make it difficult to exercise and enjoy regular physical activities; they limit what you can wear and can can have a negative impact on the lives of women of all ages.

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces, lifts and reshapes the breasts. It can also reduce the size of the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple).

Many different surgical procedures are possible to reduce the size of the breasts, and the scars vary according to the technique required. Dr Konrat will help you determine which is best for you:

• The most common technique produces a scar completely around the nipple, and a scar that runs from the central point of the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) to the fold beneath the breast.
• Depending on the surgical procedure needed, there may also be a scar in the fold beneath the breast.
• The scars are pink to start with and gradually fade over time. How well the scars heal and the quality of the final scars depends on numerous factors, such as how well your skin generally heals, or whether you are prone to hypertrophic or keloid (thickening) scars.
• Any unnecessary tension or pulling on the scars can widen and thicken the scars, so post-operative care is of the utmost importance in optimising the quality of the scars long-term.

You can expect to return to work and social activities about two weeks after your surgery. You should limit yourself to light exercise with no pushing, lifting or pulling anything heavy for 3 – 4 weeks. A well-fitted sports bra is recommended for exercise.

Depending on the type of breast reduction surgery performed, breast-feeding may still be possible, but in general, breast-feeding is not possible after breast reduction surgery. Normal mammograms and self-examination are advised.

Breast reduction surgery can take up to three months to reach its final shape when you can fully appreciate the permanent change in your appearance. More recent techniques enable us to have fewer scars, but your breasts may take between nine and twelve months to mature into their final shape and position.

It is critical that you are fully informed about the procedure: the information on this website has been written and is regularly updated by Dr Konrat. It was designed to provide as complete an informative experience as possible, but it does not take the place of a personal consultation.

You should never make a decision by reading a web page alone, no matter how comprehensive the information is. We encourage you to book a personal consultation with Dr Konrat, where she will assess you, explain the procedure in detail and help you to understand all the benefits as well as the risks and complications of surgery in general and breast surgery in particular.

Pre-Operation

• An in-depth consultation (approximately one hour long) with Dr Georgina Konrat.
• Dr Konrat will ask important questions about you and your health (your medical history), examine your breasts, take photographs to aid in the diagnosis of your concerns, and help plan the appropriate surgical procedure for you.
• You may be given an information kit to take home. We understand that you may not remember or understand everything you hear in the consultation, so we encourage you to make notes as soon as possible after the consultation, and call or email Dr Konrat with any concerns or questions you may have about the surgery.
• At least one week prior to surgery, blood tests will be taken, and pre-operative mammogram screening is recommended if not already performed.
• In order to have the best healing result, Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic recommends that you:
  • Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fish, fruit and salads;
  • Commence taking Vitamin C and D, Zinc and Selenium as soon as possible to aid in preparation, recovery and healing after surgery.
• Drugs:
  • Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs ten days before and ten days after your operation. These medicines can thin your blood and aggravate bruising or bleeding.
  • You must discuss your use of any ‘leisure drugs’ with Dr Konrat at the time of your consultation, as these could also have an impact on the success of the surgery.
  • If you are a smoker, you must cease smoking for at least two weeks before, and one month after your surgery.
• Pre-operative and post-operative instructions are in the brochure provided at the time of the pre-operative appointment, or are sent to you once you have booked a date for your surgery.
• Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic staff is pleased to answer any questions after your consultation, and you are encouraged to return for a second consultation any time you feel it would be useful.

The Operation

• Breast Reduction surgery is performed in an accredited Day Surgery hospital under general anæsthetic. Overnight admission is rarely necessary.
• Dr Konrat will make marks and drawings on your skin prior to the surgery to use as guides during the surgery.
• The procedure usually takes between two and three hours. The surgical technique is complicated: every woman’s procedure will be slightly different to the next depending on her breasts prior to the surgery, and what she is hoping to achieve.

Post-Operation

• A complete list of instructions will be given to you prior to your surgery. You will also be able to read about the post-operative period in the information brochure given to you at your first consultation.
• After a short recovery period, usually about two hours, you can go home. You must have a relative or friend drive you home from the hospital, and it is best that you are not alone at home for the first 24 hours after surgery. You must not drive yourself, nor take public transport.
• Some patients will be wearing a special support garment; others may be advised to wear no bra support for the first 2 -3 weeks. Dr Konrat will advise the appropriate course of action for you.
• You are likely to feel drowsy or even sleepy after the anesthetic, and you should rest for two hours when you get home.
• After waking, you should eat lightly and drink to replenish your body fluids. You may go to the bathroom with assistance as needed.
• If you feel fine, light activity will not harm you.
• If you have some discomfort, you will find that placing well-padded ice bags over your breasts may relieve discomfort significantly.
• You may have drains in place. If so, one drain may be placed in each breast at the time of surgery. If fluid accumulates during or after surgery, drains are used to promote fluid evacuation and healing. When the drains are inserted, the bulb at the end of each tube is compressed to create gentle suction. You will be given a demonstration of drain care in the recovery room if you have drains.
• Day One Post-surgery:
  • You may experience dizziness or light-headedness, shakes or tremors, breast tenderness, discomfort, or a feeling of bruising. You might feel nauseous (that should pass by the morning after the surgery), tired and very sleepy.
  • You should rest as much as you need, and keep up fluids and healthy meals. Take the antibiotics that have been prescribed, along with the pain medication as prescribed and directed by Dr Konrat. Do not drive while taking pain medication.
  • You should not shower.
  • The practice nurse will call to check on your progress. If drains are in place, you may be required to attend Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic’s rooms for an inspection, and the removal of your dressings and drains.
• Day Two Post-surgery:
  • You should expect some bruising, swelling, tenderness and soreness.
  • You can shower, providing you have a carer close by, in case you become dizzy.
  • Continue pain tablets and antibiotics as prescribed.
  • Light activity is recommended to reduce the risk of leg vein clots (deep vein thrombosis).
  • Wash your support garment if necessary and when dry put it back on.
• Medication:
  • Antibiotics: (1 tablet 3 times per day). Appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed if you have any allergies.
  • For pain: Take over-the-counter pain relief medications every 8 hours to a maximum of 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
  • Vitamin C: 1000 mg per day.
  • Zinc: 1 tablet per day.
  • For bruising: Arnica: 4 tablets under the tongue, 3 times per day.
  • You must avoid: Aspirin for 1 week, strong coffee, alcohol, smoking (for one month after the procedure).
  • Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort that is well treated by a combination of over-the-counter pain relief medications.
  • Herbal Remedies: Some patients report that arnica contributes to a reduction in bruising and swelling, resulting in reduced discomfort and edema, and improving healing. Take arnica orally according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging.
• You must call at any time if you have:
  • Severe pain not responding to pain medication;
  • A lot more swelling and/or pain on one side than the other;
  • Drains that fill rapidly and have to be emptied more frequently than twice a day.
• Days Seven to Ten
  • A visit to Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic will be scheduled during this time.
  • All dressings are left in place until this visit, unless otherwise notified. Some sutures may need to be removed and all dressings and tapes will be changed at this visit. You will be given surgical tapes, which you should change every week for the next six weeks.
  • Lymphatic drainage massage is highly recommended during the first three weeks following surgery, and you will be shown how to do this.
  • You do not need to sleep sitting up or lying on your back. Right from the first night, you are encouraged to sleep naturally, turning from side to side as normal. This helps the lymphatic system and veins drain away any swelling and bruising. However, you should not sleep on your stomach for at least four weeks.
• Hygiene:
  • Dr Konrat usually uses dressings that are waterproof, so you can shower (from Day 2 on) and pat them dry with your towel.
  • You can remove any support or surgical bra for showering.
  • You should not bath or swim (i.e. be submerged in water) for one month after surgery.
• Activity Restriction:
  • You must not carry heavy weights, bags or packages for two weeks and you should refrain from any other physical activities that cause pain in the surgery area.
  • You may not be able to drive for about a week, although every patient recovers at a different pace. Dr Konrat’s recommendation to patients is that they should not drive until they are recovered sufficiently that if they were driving and had a car accident, they could truthfully state that they did not suffer diminished capacity due to recent breast surgery. You must make sure you are recovered enough to drive safely before you get behind the wheel.
  • It is never safe to drive while taking oral pain medication.
• Week Six: Post-operative check-up. You will commence wearing a supportive bra, or will change from the surgical bra to a normal bra.
• Month Six: Post-operative check-up. If you have questions or feel you need a consultation prior to this, you will be welcomed.

We want you to have a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.

If you are not sure about anything or have concerns, please contact us sooner rather than later. NEVER TAKE CHANCES!

Do not hesitate to phone us at the clinic on 07 3391 5710 for advice at any time during your recovery.

Risks Specific To Breast Reduction Surgery

Infection

• Antibiotics are given at the time of surgery and for one week post-operatively to minimise the risk of infection;
• Further surgery may be required to improve scars if severe infection occurs;
• Tissue Necrosis or tissue breakdown has been reported following the use of steroid drugs, chemotherapy, radiation to breast tissue, smoking, and excessive heat or cold therapy. Occasionally, it can occur without any identifiable cause, but this is very rare.

Bleeding

• Bleeding with collection of blood and bruising (hæmatoma) can occur;
• Further surgery may be required to stop the bleeding. However, returning to the operating theatre for this is very rare.

Changes in Nipple and Skin Sensation

• Some change in, or loss of nipple sensation immediately after surgery is not unusual.
• It may take 9 to 12 months for full sensation to return.
• Occasionally, partial or permanent loss of nipple and skin sensation, or hypersensitivity may occur in one or both breasts.

Nipple Loss

• This is the worst complication of this type of surgery, and is most common in very large breasts, or in smokers or diabetics.
• If the nipple blood supply appears to be threatened at the time of surgery, conversion to free nipple graft may be necessary. This will be explained at the time of your initial consultation with Dr Konrat.

Poor Scarring and ‘Dog Ears’

• ‘Dog Ears’ are puckers or small ‘pleats’ at each end or one end of a scar. If these are bothersome or appear unattractive, they can be trimmed so their appearance is flatter and smoother.
• This is called a minor surgical revision and usually occurs after 3 – 6 months of the initial surgery.

Permanent Scarring

• Scars around the nipple, from the areola to the fold at the base of the breast and sometimes in the fold below the breast are permanent.
• The degree of scarring varies according to many factors. Dr Konrat will discuss this with you at your initial consultation.

Breast Asymmetry

• Your breasts may not be perfectly symmetric in size and shape after surgery. It is rare that both breasts are exactly the same size or shape prior to surgery.
• Nipple height may not be matched perfectly, as it is difficult to remove a considerable portion of breast tissue and match perfectly the nipple positions with the patient in a horizontal position.
• All care is taken to ensure that nipple position and breast size and shape is as symmetrical as possible.

GENERAL RISKS OF SURGERY

Because surgery is such a vital part of modern medicine, there is a tendency to forget that there are risks associated with every type of surgery. While these risks are small, every person undergoing surgery should be aware of the risks.

Wounds

All internal and external wounds need time to heal after surgery. Sutures or stitches and other material are used to hold wounds closed while they heal.

Infections

Despite taking precautions, infections can occur during and just after surgery. These may be general, such as pneumonia, or specific to breast surgery. Because of their generally good health, breast reduction patients usually have a lower risk of developing general infections such as pneumonia.

Pulmonary Risks

• All surgery patients have a risk of forming a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) that breaks off and gets stuck in the lung circulation (pulmonary embolism). This is minimised by the wearing of surgical ‘stockings’ during the surgery, and by getting the patient out of bed as soon as possible.
• You will also be encouraged to breathe deeply when you wake up from the anaesthetic, as this expands your lungs and helps ensure your blood oxygen levels are good.

Risks of Anæsthesia

As a rule, these risks are very low in cosmetic surgery patients, because the patients are generally in good health. Dr Konrat will take a full medical history, and will order a number of tests prior to surgery. She will also make lifestyle recommendations to ensure your health is optimal before the surgery. This will minimise any general risks.

Mental Health Disorders and Elective Surgery

• It is important that all patients seeking to undergo elective surgery have realistic expectations that focus on improvement, rather than perfection.
• Complications or less than satisfactory results are sometimes unavoidable and may require additional surgery. This can be stressful.
• Please discuss openly with Dr Konrat in your consultation prior to surgery, any history of emotional depression or mental health disorders. If you are unsure whether a matter is relevant, please mention it anyway. Although many individuals may benefit psychologically from the results of elective cosmetic surgery, the effects on mental health can never be predicted, and could possibly have a negative influence on emotional stability.