Gangnam Station Breast Reduction Surgery: Post-Operative Care to Reduce Pain, Scars, and Side Effects?

Gangnam Station Breast Reduction Surgery: Post-Operative Care to Reduce Pain, Scars, and Side Effects?

Hello. I am Dr. Kim Ju-won, the head director of Melon Plastic Surgery, your breast specialist with solutions for beautiful breasts.

Today, we will talk about breast reduction surgery. Those with large breasts will know that large breasts are not always satisfying. If the proportion of breast weight is greater than your body type, the burden on your body also increases.

If you look at friends with large breasts, you might notice some with hunched backs. This is because the heavy weight of their breasts makes their upper body heavy, changing their posture. This can disrupt the balance of the body, affecting the neck, shoulders, and spine. It is also important to note that this can lead to pain and skin problems.

‘My shoulders hurt when I wear a bra for a long time, is it because of my breasts?’‘My breasts are heavy and uncomfortable when I exercise. Can surgery solve this?’

Today, we will discuss post-operative care for breast reduction surgery.

I will tell you about management methods that reduce pain, scars, and side effects after surgery. If you are experiencing discomfort due to breasts that are too large for your body type, please pay attention.

Breast Reduction Surgery | The Weight of Breasts Causing Discomfort in Daily Life

If your breasts are large, which parts of your body will be burdened? It is your shoulders and back.

The larger the volume and the heavier the weight, the greater the impact. Large breasts will be subject to a correspondingly large gravitational force. Gravity is pulling the breasts down, but you have to keep your shoulders and back straight.

To alleviate the burden on the shoulders and back, you might round your back. As a result, your back might become slightly hunched. Neck and shoulder stiffness are common symptoms.

Discomfort due to seasonal changes is also hard to ignore. In summer, sweat can accumulate under the breasts, causing skin irritation and itching. Some people want to lose weight through diet and reduce their breast size. Generally, dieting can reduce breast size or cause sagging, but this is not always the case. Breast size can remain unchanged regardless of weight fluctuations.

Body types with a high proportion of glandular tissue fall into this category, and for individuals with such a body type, it is difficult to resolve breast discomfort through weight control. This is a case where surgery can be considered. Breast reduction surgery can be chosen to reduce discomfort in daily life.

Breast Reduction Surgery | How is the surgery performed?

‘Is the incision area large?’‘Is breast reduction surgery more painful?’

Breast reduction surgery reduces excessive glandular tissue and fat, and tightens sagging skin. There are three types of incision methods, and the scope varies for each. It depends on the breast size and the degree of sagging.

If the sagging is not severe, a periareolar incision, which involves an incision along the circular border of the areola, is used to pull up the skin and tissue. For moderate sagging, more pulling is needed. Therefore, an additional incision is made along with the periareolar incision.

A straight incision is added below the areola. This is the second incision method, called the vertical incision. The third is the inverted T-incision, which is used for the most severe sagging. A vertical incision is made at the areola, and an incision is added along the inframammary fold. It is called an inverted T-incision because it resembles the Korean letter ‘오’ (o).

Large breasts mean greater gravity, so sagging worsens over time. The incision area increases with size and severity of sagging.

Is breast reduction surgery more painful than typical augmentation surgery? Immediately after surgery, you might experience a dull ache or a pulling sensation, which is also true for augmentation surgery. These are natural reactions as the operated tissue reorganizes itself. However, if more incisions were made, the wounds might ache more.

In the early stages after surgery, the better you manage it, the healthier the stabilization of the operated breasts will be. During this period, according to the guidance of the medical institution and your doctor, you should reduce movements that use your pectoral muscles and aid breast recovery by wearing a compression bra, etc.

Breast Reduction Surgery | Recovery Speed and Scar Reaction?

As with other breast surgeries, breast reduction surgery also has individual differences in recovery speed and scar reaction. This is because various factors such as the incision location, the amount of tissue removed during surgery, and the thickness and elasticity of the skin affect the pain pattern.

In sensitive cases, you might feel pressure on your breasts or a stiff, uncomfortable sensation for a few days in the early post-operative period. However, post-operative pain does not last long. It usually subsides with recovery.

Scar reactions vary depending on individual constitution. Scars may temporarily appear red and feel firm, but in most cases, they gradually fade over time. They can be improved through scar treatments such as lasers and the use of scar creams.

Melon Plastic Surgery provides scar laser treatment, ointment use, and self-care guides, and as your doctor, I personally examine the patient's condition, observe skin reactions, and adjust the management plan.

The most important thing during the recovery period is to carefully monitor your condition and proceed through the recovery stages according to your state. Remember that someone else's recovery process does not necessarily apply to you.

Breast Reduction Surgery | Post-Operative Care to Reduce Side Effects

Please stop both drinking and smoking! They can affect blood flow and inflammatory reactions. It is especially advisable not to do so in the early stages after surgery. I tend to recommend quitting smoking while you are having surgery.

Environments that rapidly raise body temperature, such as saunas or jjimjilbangs, should also be avoided in the early recovery period as they can be burdensome. Attention should also be paid to wearing underwear to prevent continuous irritation to the incision site.

Post-operative care, including movements that heavily use the pectoral muscles, sleeping posture, and lifestyle habits, is as crucial as the surgery itself. This is because management also includes managing side effects, and the timing of post-operative care significantly impacts the results.

At Melon, we adjust the management direction from immediately after surgery according to the progress and implement management programs as needed. Consistency is important in management. We often see cases where stable management during the post-operative recovery period leads to greater satisfaction with the results.

At Melon Plastic Surgery, I, as your doctor, personally check your condition and manage your progress after surgery to achieve ample volume and natural lines.

If you are concerned about breasts that are disproportionately large for your body type, please feel free to visit us. We will accompany you on your surgical journey with solutions that reduce discomfort in daily life and enhance your beauty.

Thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much pain is there after breast reduction surgery?

Immediately after surgery, you may experience a dull ache or a pulling sensation. This is similar to augmentation surgery and is a natural reaction as the operated tissue settles. It usually subsides with recovery and does not last long.

How do I manage scars after breast reduction surgery?

Scars may temporarily appear red and firm depending on your body type, but they often fade over time. Melon Plastic Surgery provides scar laser treatment, ointment use, and self-care guides to help improve them.

When can I drink alcohol or smoke after breast reduction surgery?

You should stop drinking alcohol and smoking in the early stages after surgery. Since they can affect blood flow and inflammatory responses, it is very important to avoid them, especially in the initial period, for recovery.

When can I use saunas or jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses) after breast reduction surgery?

In the early stages of recovery, you should avoid environments that rapidly raise body temperature, such as saunas or jjimjilbangs. This can put a strain on the surgical site, so it is best to resume use at an appropriate time as guided by your medical team.

What types of breast reduction surgery methods are there?

There are three main incision methods for breast reduction surgery. A periareolar incision (circular incision around the areola) is used for mild sagging, a vertical incision for moderate sagging, and an inverted T (anchor) incision for the most severe sagging.

Can I reduce breast size through diet alone?

No, this is not always the case. For body types with a high proportion of glandular tissue, breast size may remain the same regardless of weight changes, making it difficult to resolve discomfort with diet alone in such cases.