Breast Reduction Sunshine Coast

Overly large breasts can put a strain on the back, shoulders and neck, causing mobility issues and creating discomfort. Plastic surgeon Dr Fraser-Kirk can perform breast reduction surgery to reduce breast size and improve your quality of life. He does this by removing the excess breast tissue via surgical methods, leaving patients with more ideal, modestly-sized breasts.

We tailor each procedure to the individual, based on their physical concerns and ideals. By reducing the size of the breasts, we can reduce the pain and discomfort associated with large breasts and help patients gain a renewed sense of confidence in their bodies.

Breast reduction surgery benefits

Many women suffer discomfort and daily pain due to very large breasts. Extra weight on the chest can cause severe back pain, posture problems, shoulder-strap grooves, and can make it difficult to exercise. It can also cause skin issues such as irritation and rashes. Having breast reduction surgery can alleviate these problems and restore a more ideal weight distribution. As well as this, some women may have aesthetic concerns about their large breasts and find it difficult to find clothes that fit well. Surgery can help you feel less self-conscious about your breast in certain clothing.

Common benefits of the procedure include:

• Better posture
• Reduced back, neck, and shoulder pain
• Improved symmetry
• More comfort when exercising
• Clothes fit better
• Reduced skin irritation
• Boost in confidence

Women find they are less self conscious after their breast reduction, in addition to increased comfort and pain relief. Since every woman has different proportions and body goals, Dr Fraser-Kirk will tailor your surgery to your specific needs. This way, you can achieve smaller, more shapely breasts that suit your body and preferences.

How do I know if I need a breast reduction?

Before you have surgery, it is important to weigh your options and get the advice of a professional who will be able to give you customised guidance. This will ensure you get the best treatment for your body concerns and goals. Knowing which problems you are facing is the first step to finding a suitable treatment and outlining your treatment plan.

You may be a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery if you:

• Experience neck, shoulder, and back pain due to the size and weight of your breasts
• Find that your ability to exercise is limited due to your breast size and weight
• Have posture issues that are caused by your breasts
• Have trouble wearing clothing or bras comfortably
• Are in good overall physical health
• Are at or close to your ideal weight

Since significant weight loss can reduce the size of the breasts, we recommend that patients are at or close to their ideal weight before undergoing breast reduction surgery. Patients should also keep in mind that losing weight after a breast reduction procedure can affect the results. If you are overweight, you can discuss your options during your consultation and determine if having breast reduction surgery is right for you.

Your consultation with Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk

In order to determine if you are suitable for breast reduction surgery, you will need to consult with a professional such as Dr Fraser-Kirk. During this meeting, you will discuss your desires and reasons for seeking this procedure. This will include a discussion of the physical pain, discomfort, or unhappiness caused by your large breasts. Additionally, we will need to go over your health needs, any past surgeries, and any medications you are taking. This will allow us to ensure that you are a good fit for surgery before proceeding.

Once we have all the requisite information, we can begin outlining a plan for your surgery. There are multiple options for breast reduction, depending on the extent of your excess breast tissue and goals. You will be invited to express your ideals and what you hope to achieve from breast reduction surgery. We will then explain your surgical options and work with you to develop a plan that best suits your body. If you are taking blood thinning medicines, we may advise that you stop these for a number of weeks beforehand. We will also provide other advice on how you can optimise your body’s healing both before and after the procedure.

In order to be fully informed, you are welcome to ask further questions on the details of the procedure.

The procedure

The specifics of the breast reduction procedure will depend on what each patient needs to achieve optimal results. Generally, the procedure involves general anaesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the surgery and will not feel pain. We will choose a suitable incision type based on the amount of breast tissue that you wish to remove. Your surgeon will place incisions with care in order to reduce the appearance of your scars.

Breast reduction incision types:

• Wise-Pattern/Anchor: This involves a circular incision around the areola, followed by a vertical incision towards the bottom of the breast and horizontally along the breast crease. This incision type allows the surgeon the most access to all areas of the breast.
• Vertical/Lollipop: This incision type involves an incision around the areola and a vertical incision towards the bottom of the breast.
• Peri-Areolar/Benelli: This involves one incision around the areola. This incision type may be suitable for those who only need a slight reduction in size.

Recovery and aftercare

Straight after your surgery, you might have some swelling and your incision areas will be more sensitive than usual. You may also have some light bleeding through your dressings. These symptoms are normal and should subside in a couple of days. We can prescribe pain relief in order to reduce any pain and increase your comfort levels. In the case that you run out of these, you can seek pain relief with Panadol and/or Ibuprofen.

Your surgeon will monitor you and let you know when you can go home. You may need to organise for someone to take you home, since you will not be able to drive. Once home, you will need to follow your surgeon’s instructions on how to care for your healing breasts in order to achieve the best result. For example, you will need to wear a support garment with absorbent pads. As well as this, you may have two drains (one for each breast) that work to remove excess fluid for the first 24 hours of recovery.

Over the course of your recovery, you will need to take good care of your body. Your surgeon may advise you to:

• Get plenty of rest and avoid putting a strain on your body
• Sleep on your back with extra pillow support for at least seven days
• Do not drive for at least one week
• Refrain from exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks
• Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcoholic drinks

You will be able to resume your normal activities gradually. However, you should ensure that you do not resume activities before your body is ready and consult your doctor if you are unsure. Generally, patients can resume light walking after two weeks but should avoid heavy exercise for six weeks.

You should keep all of your dressings in place until your follow-up appointment. Once you have your dressings removed, we recommend that you keep your scars taped with micropore tape for up to three months. This will help prevent your skin from stretching and help the scar mature optimally. If your skin becomes red, lumpy, or irritated, you should contact Dr Fraser-Kirk, as you may require a different dressing.

How much does breast reduction surgery cost on the Sunshine Coast?

Breast reduction surgery costs are influenced by the details of the procedure, which will be different for each patient. Since every procedure is customised to the patient, we can offer more information on costs after discussing your needs and goals for surgery.

For a personalised quote, you will need to book a consultation. Dr Fraser-Kirk will assess your individual needs and give you personal guidance on the best surgical options for your case. The costs of a breast reduction surgery are based on anaesthesia fees, hospital fees, and aftercare. The extent of the procedure can also impact the overall price. Book an appointment to find out more and get answers to all of your cost questions.

Medicare rebate for a breast reduction procedure

Medicare does not cover surgery that is elective (performed for non-medical reasons). While many breast reduction surgeries are elective, some women seek the surgery to address health issues that are affecting their quality of life. This means if your breast reduction surgery is deemed medically required due to health or mobility issues, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate.

In order to receive a Medicare rebate, you will need a referral from your General Practitioner or a specialist.

Risks and complications

Although risks of breast reduction surgery are rare, they can occur. This means it is important to choose a qualified plastic surgeon and follow your surgeon’s instructions in order to reduce your risks. The risks and complications of a breast reduction surgery can include:

• Ongoing pain and swelling
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Ongoing tenderness
• Numbness or changes in skin sensation
• Poor scarring
• Asymmetry
• Breastfeeding difficulties
• Partial or full loss of nipples or areolae
• Fluid build-up
• Deep vein thrombosis

During recovery, you should take care to monitor your health and advise us if you experience any severe or lasting side effects. If you notice any of the following, notify us straight away:

• Heavy bleeding from the incision site that is difficult to control
• Severe or increasing pain that you cannot relievewith Panadol
• Temperature above 38 degrees celsius or chills
• Redness around the incision site that spreads
• Pus or discharge from the incision site
• Breasts become very tense or painful

These symptoms may indicate that you require further treatment, which means you should contact Dr Fraser-Kirk to get the required care. We can treat most of these uncommon side effects with the right medical care and help set you on the right track to recovery.

Along with your other post-op instructions, it is important that you refrain from smoking for several weeks both before and after your procedure. Smoking delays healing and increases the risk of infection as well as other adverse effects. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s recovery advice in order to minimise your post-surgical risks.

How to choose the best breast reduction surgeon on the Sunshine Coast

Having surgery on your breasts is a highly personal decision that requires a large amount of thought and planning. It is important to select a qualified plastic surgeon to perform your breast reduction surgery, since this will help minimise risks and help you achieve your goals. Dr Fraser-Kirk is an experienced plastic surgeon who will ensure you get the best treatment for your specific case and offer the appropriate care through each step of your journey. By personalising the procedure, he can help you achieve smaller, lighter breasts that suit your body frame and help you gain a revived sense of confidence. Book your consultation to find out more about what breast reduction surgery can offer you.

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