How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed at Dr. DC? Step-by-Step

Breast reduction surgery is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create smaller, lighter, and better-positioned breasts for women with disproportionately large breasts. At Dr DC Plastic Surgery in Pune, the operation is performed by Dr. Dhruv Chavan under general anaesthesia and usually takes two to four hours. The surgery also lifts the breasts and repositions the nipple, so the result is smaller and higher on the chest.

Most women choose breast reduction to relieve neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts. The medical name for very large breasts is macromastia. The procedure that reduces them is called reduction mammaplasty.

This guide explains each stage of the operation, from the first consultation to the final scar. It is written for women in Pune who want to understand exactly what happens before they book a consultation with Dr. Dhruv Chavan.

Key Takeaways

• Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, then lifts the breast.
• Dr. Dhruv Chavan performs the surgery under general anaesthesia in Pune.
• The operation usually takes four to six hours.
• Most women go home the same day or after one night.
• The nipple stays attached to its blood supply on a tissue pedicle.
• Desk work is possible in one to two weeks; full exercise at about six weeks.
• Scars fade over 12 to 18 months but do not disappear completely.

What Breast Reduction Surgery Actually Does

Breast reduction surgery reshapes the breast, it does not simply drain it. Dr. Dhruv Chavan removes glandular tissue, fatty tissue, and stretched skin, then reshapes what remains into a smaller and firmer breast. This applies to women whose breast size causes pain, skin rashes, or difficulty with exercise and daily activity. On average, surgeons remove several hundred grams of tissue from each breast, though the exact amount depends on your starting size and goals.

The result is a breast that sits higher, feels lighter, and fits your frame. Many women also find that skin rashes under the breast settle once the heavy tissue is gone.

The procedure combines two actions in one operation. The first is reduction, which lowers the volume and weight. The second is a lift, which moves the nipple and areola to a natural, higher position. Because these happen together, you do not need a separate breast lift afterwards.

You can read the full overview of the procedure on the breast reduction surgery page, which explains who the surgery helps and the results it can achieve.

Step 1: The Consultation and Surgical Plan

Every breast reduction at Dr DC Plastic Surgery starts with a detailed consultation with Dr. Dhruv Chavan. He examines your breasts, measures their size and position, and checks your skin quality and nipple sensation. He also reviews your medical history, medications, and whether you plan to breastfeed in the future.

During this visit, Dr. Dhruv Chavan discusses how much tissue can be safely removed and where the scars will sit. He explains the technique best suited to your anatomy. You can see the kind of outcomes possible in the breast reduction results gallery.

This is also when candidacy is confirmed. Women who are in good general health, near a stable weight, and troubled by the size of their breasts are usually good candidates. The breast reduction candidate guide explains the full criteria.

Preparing for Your Surgery

Good preparation makes recovery smoother and lowers your risk. In the weeks before surgery, Dr. Dhruv Chavan may order routine blood tests and a review of your general health. If you smoke, you will be asked to stop for several weeks, because smoking slows healing and affects the blood supply to the skin and nipple.

You will also get clear instructions on which medicines to pause. Blood-thinning tablets and some supplements can increase bleeding and are usually stopped before the operation.

Plan the practical side too. Arrange for someone to drive you home and to help at home for the first few days. Set aside comfortable, front-opening clothing so you do not have to lift your arms over your head while you heal.

Step 2: Anaesthesia and Surgical Markings

Breast reduction is performed under general anaesthesia, so you are fully asleep and feel nothing during the operation. This applies to all breast reduction patients at Dr DC Plastic Surgery, because the surgery is too extensive for local anaesthesia alone. A qualified anaesthetist monitors you throughout the procedure. This keeps the surgery safe and comfortable from start to finish.

Just before surgery, while you are still standing, Dr. Dhruv Chavan draws surgical markings on your breasts. These lines map out the new breast shape, the incision pattern, and the new nipple position. Marking in a standing position matters because gravity affects where the breast naturally sits.

Step 3: The Incision Pattern

The incision pattern decides where your scars will fall. Dr. Dhruv Chavan selects the pattern based on how much tissue must come out and how much the nipple needs to move. The most common choice for larger reductions is the anchor incision, also called the inverted-T. It runs around the areola, straight down to the breast crease, and along the crease itself.

For smaller reductions, a shorter vertical pattern, often called the lollipop, may be enough. A detailed comparison of these options helps at the planning stage. Understanding the incision choice early also helps you set realistic expectations about breast reduction risks and scarring.

Incision length and placement may vary based on your anatomy and clinical considerations. Dr. Dhruv Chavan confirms the final plan with you before surgery.

Step 4: Removing Tissue and Repositioning the Nipple

This is the core of the operation, and it is where surgical skill matters most. Dr. Dhruv Chavan removes the planned amount of glandular and fatty tissue while keeping the nipple attached to a section of tissue called a pedicle. The pedicle carries the blood supply and nerves to the nipple, which protects sensation and, in many cases, the future ability to breastfeed. The nipple is then moved up to its new position while still connected to this pedicle, not removed and replaced.

To recap what we have covered so far: breast reduction at Dr DC Plastic Surgery is a reshaping operation performed by Dr. Dhruv Chavan under general anaesthesia, where excess tissue is removed and the nipple is lifted on its own blood supply. The key decisions are how much tissue to remove, which incision pattern to use, and how far the nipple must move. The steps below cover closing, recovery, and the final result.

In some cases, Dr. Dhruv Chavan also uses liposuction to refine the sides of the chest and improve the final shape. The equipment used is US-FDA cleared and CE-certified surgical technology.

Step 5: Closing, Dressings, and Drains

Once the tissue is removed and the breast is reshaped, Dr. Dhruv Chavan closes the incisions in layers. Deep stitches support the new breast shape from the inside, and fine stitches close the skin. Most stitches are dissolvable, so they do not need to be pulled out later. This layered closure helps the scar heal as neatly as possible.

Thin drainage tubes are sometimes placed to remove fluid for the first day or two. You are then fitted with a surgical support bra that holds the breasts steady while they heal. This bra is usually worn for four to six weeks.

Step 6: Recovery and Seeing Your Result

Most women go home the same day or after a single night of observation. You will feel sore for the first few days, and this is controlled with prescribed pain medication. Light desk work is usually possible within one to two weeks, while full exercise and heavy lifting wait until about six weeks. Following the aftercare plan closely gives the scar and the shape the best chance to settle.

The final shape appears gradually as swelling fades over several months. The breast reduction recovery timeline explains what to expect week by week. Many women notice relief from back and shoulder pain almost immediately, which is why the surgery is popular with active women, as explained on the breast reduction for athletes page.

Key Treatment Attributes

How Much Does It Cost and Is It Covered?

Cost depends on the amount of tissue removed, the technique used, and the anaesthesia and facility fees. Because breast reduction is often done to relieve physical symptoms, some patients ask about insurance. The breast reduction cost page explains the pricing structure at Dr DC Plastic Surgery in Pune. An online consultation with Dr. Dhruv Chavan is currently Rs. 1,000.

As Verified By

The surgical steps described here follow standards published by recognised surgical and health bodies:

• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes the reduction and lift performed in one operation.
• The NHS guide to breast reduction outlines the general anaesthesia, recovery timeline, and scarring.
• Cleveland Clinic explains the pedicle technique that preserves the nipple blood supply.
• The Mayo Clinic describes candidacy and the reduction of neck and back pain.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine explains the surgical goals and typical recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does breast reduction surgery take?

Breast reduction surgery at Dr DC Plastic Surgery usually takes two to four hours. The exact time depends on how much tissue must be removed and the incision pattern used.

Dr. Dhruv Chavan performs the operation under general anaesthesia. Most women go home the same day or after one night of observation.

Is breast reduction surgery painful?

You feel nothing during the surgery because it is done under general anaesthesia. Afterwards, most women describe soreness and tightness rather than sharp pain.

This discomfort is managed with prescribed medication and eases over the first week. A support bra helps by keeping the breasts steady while they heal.

Will I have large scars after breast reduction?

Breast reduction does leave permanent scars, usually around the areola and down to the breast crease. Their length depends on the incision pattern Dr. Dhruv Chavan uses for your reduction.

Scars are red or pink at first and fade over 12 to 18 months. Following the scar care plan closely gives them the best chance to settle and flatten.

Can I breastfeed after breast reduction surgery?

Many women can still breastfeed because the nipple stays attached to its blood supply and milk ducts on a tissue pedicle. However, breastfeeding cannot be guaranteed for every patient.

If you plan to have children, tell Dr. Dhruv Chavan during your consultation. He can plan the technique with future breastfeeding in mind.

How soon can I return to work and exercise?

Most women return to light desk work within one to two weeks after breast reduction surgery. Jobs that involve lifting or physical effort need more time off.

Full exercise, including gym and running, usually waits until about six weeks. Dr. Dhruv Chavan gives you a personalised timeline at your follow-up visits.

Do I need a separate breast lift after a reduction?

No. Breast reduction includes a lift as part of the same operation. Dr. Dhruv Chavan repositions the nipple and reshapes the breast so it sits higher on the chest.

This means you do not need a second procedure for lifting. The reduction and lift are completed together under one anaesthesia.