Breast Reduction
Surgery is performed by removing breast tissue and skin from below the level of the nipple and then relocating the nipple to a higher point on the breast. In the process, reducing the volume (and weight) of the breast.
Personalised care at a hospital close to you with a comprehensive five-year structured follow-up programme and fully BAAPS and BAPRAS accredited surgeon.
Duration
2 to 2.5 hours
Anaesthesia
General
Hospital Stay
1 night
Full Recovery
6 weeks
Final Results
You’ll see your results immediately but it can take 6 to 12 months for swelling to subside and surgical scars to fade.
How is the surgery done?
It’s performed under general anaesthetic and usually involves a one night stay in hospital. You will have a drain in either breast following the surgery and these are usually removed on the day after the operation. You will wake up in a ‘microfoam bra’, special medical taping that will help keep your breasts comfortable and supported for the first two weeks after your reduction surgery.
What will my breasts look like afterwards?
After your breast reduction, not only will you have lost the weight from your breasts (providing relief to your back and neck) but the uplifting effect of the operation will have improved the shape of your breasts; in essence, reversing the effects of time and gravity.
What happens after the operation?
The recovery period following breast reduction is six weeks in total, however, you should only require dressings for two weeks after the operation. During the six weeks after your breast reduction, you will need to modify your activities until healing has occurred fully.
For the first two weeks, you will need to restrict yourself to light upper body activities, gradually building up to heavier tasks over the following four weeks. You can return to the gym after six weeks.
You will not be able to wear an underwired bra for six weeks after your breast reduction operation and should buy several well-fitting sports bras to help support your breasts in the post-operative period.
Is there anything else I should know?
No one has two breasts that are exactly the same on both sides. Although you will not be symmetrical following the procedure, breast reduction surgery often has a symmetrising effect. Any pre-existing asymmetries between your breasts will influence the final outcome of the procedure.
What are free nipple grafts when they are used?
Free nipple grafts are when the nipples are removed from the breast completely and sewn back on at the end of the procedure. The reason for doing this is that the size of the reduction in breast tissue required will be too large for the blood supply to the nipple to keep it alive.
By removing the nipple and sewing it back on as a graft, the problems with poor blood supply are overcome (skin tissue that is turned into a graft has a much lower need for nutrients and so can survive long enough for new blood vessels to grow into it). The trade-off is that the nipple usually becomes paler in colour and loses some projection.
Have a question?
If you’ve decided to have cosmetic surgery, you now need to choose a surgeon with the appropriate training, skills and experience to carry out your procedure.
It’s important to talk to your surgeon about what you want to change and why.
Anthony specialises in aesthetic surgery; he is registered with BAAPS, a specialist register of Plastic Surgeons maintained by the General Medical Council.
He is nationally acknowledged for providing outstanding medical care and achieving results which meet or exceed patients’ hopes and expectations.
Before & Afters
Anthony uses the latest 3D scanning technology to create before and after visuals that give you a realistic view of the results.
Insight
Find more below…
Breast reduction is increasingly popular
Figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), show breast reductions are on the rise, while breast augmentation demand has dropped – data from BAAPS.
Although both reductions and augmentation procedures were the most popular procedures in 2019, baugmentation is in decline as people look towards more natural-looking results.
The procedure often results in a more lifted appearance of the breasts too. The areolas can also be made smaller to match the reduction in breast size for more natural looking results. It typically requires a two to four week recovery time and is a fairly straightforward procedure.
Benefits
Firstly, it can help to improve self-confidence in people embarrassed by their larger breasts. It also has many health benefits including:
- Eliminating neck and back discomfort
- It corrects poor posture
- Removes physical limitations
- Prevents sleeping and breathing difficulties
- Eliminates chronic skin rashes
If the breasts are too large for your frame, it can cause pain within the neck and back. This also can lead to poor posture, along with difficulties carrying out physical activities such as exercise. Excess weight can also potentially cause issues with breathing and sleeping, while the sweat accumulated underneath the breasts can cause chronic skin rashes.
Risks and complications
Like all type of surgery, reduction procedures present some risks and complications.
Infections, poor wound healing and changes within nipple sensation are some of the most common risks. However, the prevalence of these is still relatively low. The results may also turn out different from how you imagined, leading to asymmetry or breast contour irregularities.
Anthony will run through the entire list of risks and complications relating to the procedure during your consultation. He will also provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you get the most out of the procedure and to minimise the risks of complications following the surgery. It is really important patients follow these aftercare instructions as strictly as possible.
A reduction can be an excellent option if you’re looking to reduce the volume of your breasts, as well as achieve a more lifted appearance. If excessive sagging has occurred, a breast uplift can be performed alongside a reduction for optimal results.