Breast Reduction

A breast reduction requires general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the surgeon will make an anchor-shaped incision that encircles the areola, extends downwards and follows the natural curve of the crease below the breast. The surgeon will remove excess glandular tissue, fat and skin before moving the nipples and areolas to their new position.

Skin from both sides of the breast is brought up and around the new areola to shape the contour of your breast. The operation may involve liposuction to remove any excess fat. In most cases, the nipples remain attached to their original blood vessels and nerves. The stitches encircle the areola, extending down in a vertical line along the crease of the breast.

You might consider a breast reduction for practical reasons such as if your breasts are large enough to be causing back and neck pain. You might also experience poor posture and painful rashes or sweating underneath the breasts.

Others may desire a breast reduction for aesthetic reasons and find their appearance undesirable. You may also wish to combine a breast reduction with other types of breast surgery.

Since your breasts can fluctuate in size and shape with pregnancy or if you’re considering losing a vast amount of weight, you may wish to wait until you have done so before you proceed with your operation.

The results from a breast reduction surgery will be visible immediately.

After your breast reduction surgery, you may feel a little sore and tender for the first few days.

Typical side effects might include swelling, bruising, pain and discomfort, which usually resides within two weeks.

You will be given a surgical support garment to wear during the first few days, which can eventually be replaced with a sports bra during your recovery. We may advise surgical drainage to remove any excess blood or fluid.

Book a week or so off from work and arrange for friends or family to help you with manual tasks as you should avoid anything strenuous such as lifting or exercise for up to six weeks.

Recovery rates vary from patient to patient, and scarring may be slightly raised and pink to begin with but should fade over time. You will have several follow-up consultations to check on the progress of your operation.

A breast reduction can take up to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.

• Asymmetry
• Loss or changes in breast or nipple sensations
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tightness
• Scarring
• Bleeding
• Infection

The extent of scarring will be partly dependent on the incision technique. Usually, there are three incisions involved: one around the areola, one that runs vertically from the areola to underneath the breast, and thirdly, one under the natural crease line of the breast.

Other techniques can reduce the appearance of the vertical part of the scar.

The surgery does impact the milk ducts. Usually, the nipples will remain attached during the operation so you should still be able to breastfeed. If we remove or reattach the nipple, then this may inhibit your chances of being able to breastfeed. Therefore, some surgeons may suggest that you wait until after your last childbirth before considering surgery.