Pregnancies, hormonal changes, weakening of the connective tissue, weight changes, the natural ageing process and the sudden discontinuation of sporting activities can all lead to changes in the size of the breast or the emergence of a softer layer of skin, which can relax the shape of the breast. This culminates in the nipple and the volume-defining parts of the breast slipping. Extra large drooping breasts can often lead to pain and tension of the shoulders and neck, and even spread to the arms.

In particular, younger women with extra large or heavy breasts feel a little disadvantaged; they avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes and going to public baths or saunas. Many women speak of the reduction in quality of life, feeling hindered during physical and sexual activities.

Surgical procedures
The form of the female breast is determined by the size of, and the amount of fatty tissue on the mammary gland, which has the function of producing milk after a successful pregnancy. A film of loose tissue separates the gland from the pectoral muscle underneath, which, in turn, rests upon the thorax. Cases of over-size, heavy breasts, and reductions of the skin’s firmness or smaller mammary glands lead to a sagging of the breast, in which the nipple area gradually sinks to a further distance from the upper breast.

In recent decades, surgical procedures have been adapted and refined, culminating in techniques with minimal scarring. It must be emphasised however, that minimal scarring cannot be guaranteed with every female patient when using this procedure. The selected cutting-line depends on the current breast size, the desired size, the condition of the outer skin and the experience of the surgeon.

We offer procedures, whereby the scars go circularly around the nipple area, then over a short distance laterally into the folds of the breast. This procedure avoids any disturbing scars in the underarm and neck areas.

If the breasts are not too big, procedures that keep the ability to breast-feed are possible. In other cases, we recommend an alternative technique to minimise the risk of disrupting the blood’s circulation in the nipple area.

In the context of breast reduction operations, the glandular tissue will be removed from the lower section or tangentially according to the adopted method. The removal of the surplus skin will follow the repositioning of the remaining glandular tissue.

Chances of success
With appropriate execution of the surgical procedures specially tailored to suit you, your chest will receive a beautiful, full and natural outward appearance after meticulous surgery.

The operation
Carried out under general anaesthetic, surgery lasts for approximately two to four hours. After extensively disinfecting the smallest possible pre-arranged cut, the tissues of the mammary gland will be opened, the surplus gland portions removed, the gland properly relocated and the amount of surplus skin reduced. In order to avoid accumulations of blood and other discharges, silicone hoses will inserted into the wound, drawing the secretions out. This removal usually takes place on the second or third day after the operation.

The time after the operation
In order to achieve an optimally formed breast we will apply a tape bandage within the first seven days after surgery. In addition, we recommend the full-time wearing of a well-fitting brassiere to ensure lateral and lower support of the breast for at least six weeks.

The wound-healing process and the reduction of post-operative swelling need approximately 10-14 days. Definite results however, will not be apparent until after a period of weeks or months.
After four days you will be able to shower with a sterilizing soap solution, but a full bath should be avoided within the first three weeks after the operation.
After approximately three weeks, the stitches will be removed at the same time as a change of bandages. Depending on the opinion of the operating surgeon, you should refrain from sporting activities for six to twelve weeks. After this time, we strongly recommend the wearing of a well-fitting brassiere during any sports. We also recommend that you to inform your gynaecologist about the reduction or adjustment of the breast so that the later results of preventative breast cancer examinations can be correctly evaluated.

Surgery-specific risks
Special risks of these operations can be asymmetry, infections and healing disorders, scar formations, post-operative haemorrhages and bruising as well as temporary numbness. Rarely will tissue destruction in the nipple area be seen that cannot be later corrected. Temporary and sometimes extremely rarely, loss of feeling in the nipple area can be experienced.