Breast Reduction by St James

Description

AM I CANDIDATE FOR BREAST REDUCTION?
Some women have problems with asymmetry (one breast much larger than the other) or have very heavy or pendulous breasts. Very large breasts can cause back ache, neck pain and irritation of the skin underneath the breast. It can be hard to find suitable clothes and comfortable bras, and certain sports can be difficult. For some women having large breasts can make them very self conscious.

WHO CAN HAVE REDUCTION SURGERY?
Any women with very large breasts that are problematic can be considered for a breast reduction. The size of a woman's breasts will largely be determined by genetics but it will also be influenced by fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, breast feeding and hormonal changes. For these reasons most surgeons advise that surgery is only undertaken when the woman's breasts have reached maturity (ie best not performed on young teenagers) and the patient maintains a stable weight. You may be asked to lose weight to achieve a healthy BMI (body mass index) before surgery is offered. Ideally surgery should be delayed until any planned family is complete but special cases can be considered.

SURGERY
A breast reduction is usually performed under a general anaesthetic, takes between 2 and 4 hours and requires a 2 to 4 day stay in hospital. There are a number of different techniques that the surgeon can use. There may be an incision underneath the breast, one around the nipple or even a vertical one running down from the nipple to join the incision underneath. The choice of operation will be determined by the size and shape of the breasts before surgery and the size that is desired afterwards. You should discuss the options and the exact position of the incisions with your surgeon before the operation. Excess skin, fat and breast tissue is removed and the position of the nipple may be moved permanently.

Before the operation, depending on your age and fitness, you will undergo some health checks such as blood tests and a mammogram. The surgeon will also examine your breasts and draw guidelines with a marker pen before you are under anaesthetic. If you decide on surgery you will be required to sign a consent form giving permission for the operation. This requires that you are aware of the risks and complications involved with the procedure.

When you come round from the anaesthetic you will be heavily bandaged and have drainage tubes in place. The drains can usually be removed a day or so after the operation but occasionally will be left for a little longer if fluid continues to leak. You may have dissolvable stitches but any permanent stitches that are used will need to be removed often 10 days from the surgery. You should expect lumpiness and tenderness for some weeks or maybe months after the operation.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
There are general risks associated with a general anaesthetic including chest infection and DVTs (clots in the veins of the legs). There are risks specific to breast surgery. Bleeding, sometimes requiring a blood transfusion is a relatively common event. Problems with wound healing and infection can occur particularly in those who smoke and it is therefore advisable to stop smoking before the operation. In most cases the scars will fade, becoming hardly noticeable and would not be visible in normal underwear or swim wear. Scars vary enormously from one woman to the next and some people can have problems with red, raised and lumpy scars.
There may be a permanent loss of sensation (normal feeling) in the nipple, breast feeding may or may not be possible and in some rare but extreme cases the nipple may be lost altogether due to problems with its blood supply. After surgery there may be some asymmetry and there may be further changes associated
with future weight fluctuations and pregnancies. A second operation for minor adjustments may be needed but can usually be performed under a local anaesthetic.

WHEN CAN NORMAL ACTIVITIES BE RESUMED?
You will be advised to wear a supportive bra day and night and should not drive or undertake any vigorous activity for up to 6 weeks. Depending on your job, you should be able to return to work 2 to 4 weeks after the operation. Most patients are fit to fly within 8 to12 days post-op yet in exceptional cases patients are advised to fly back after 3 to 4 weeks depending on the patient's pace of recovery.

ABOUT ST JAMES HOSPITAL
Many foreigners are choosing to travel to Malta to receive medical and surgical treatment. Malta combines a high level of medical expertise coupled with an ideal climate, best suited to enhance convalescence. Malta is no stranger to Medical Tourism, having a strong record in the field of medicine and a long tradition of care, also referred to in history as 'The hospital of the Mediterranean.'

We are registered with the Malta Tourism Authority and acts as your 24 hour, personal concierge during your stay as you undergo cosmetic surgery in Malta. We are your key interface from first enquiry to your return home and beyond. Our customer care team liaises with you during your extended convalescence back in your home country to provide support, advice and to gather your feedback on our service. We work hand in hand with the leading private hospital Group on the island, which is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by fully qualified doctors and nurses who are multilingual, being fluent in English, Maltese & Italian. The services offered are comprehensive, ranging from simple blood tests to diagnostic scans, from cosmetic surgery to dental services, from hair removal by laser to complex cardiac surgery.

The Hospital hosts ten modern and high-tech operating theatres which are equipped with advanced anaesthesia equipment. Our doctors are trained and qualified in the EU and the USA and have specialised and worked in leading hospitals and Universities in England, Scotland, Ireland, USA and other countries. We also provide for post operation physiotherapy which is backed up by a well-equipped rehabilitation gymnasium.

All private rooms are situated within comfortable and spacious wards, supervised day and night by an exceptional team of doctors and nurses. The rooms are single-bedded with an en-suite bathroom/shower, colour cable TV, telephone, air-conditioning, and a nurse call system keeping you in immediate contact with the nursing staff. Tea/coffee facilities are also available in every room. Wireless internet network for laptop computers is available in the hospitals. Overnight facilities for relative/carer are provided. Relative/Carer can also opt to sleep with the patient in the same room.

Many satisfied patients have commented on the luxurious and warm environment found in the hospital which, quoting them, 'makes you feel like you are staying in a hotel with special care and medical assistance.' The service and quality of our accommodation is in fact five star quality, forming an excellent synergy with the professional medical and nursing staff who run our wards.

Edward and Lucianne are our customer care representatives, and they will be your first point of contact with us. They handle all patients from arrival to departure, and will be in touch with you before and during your stay, providing you with support and peace of mind. We offer some of the best value for money you'll find anywhere for cosmetic surgery abroad, with no compromise on quality, service, care and convenience. Our top procedures are listed on the right, but we also offer various combinations and packages at favorable rates.