Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic as a day case procedure, meaning advanced sedation techniques are employed to enable you to recover more quickly after surgery and return home on the day of your breast reduction surgery.

Whilst there are several breast reduction surgery techniques, each essentially involves reducing a proportion of the breast volume via excision and reshaping the breast mound such that the nipple is lifted into a more normal position, while preserving the blood supply to the elevated nipple and areolar complex. The overall effect is a more ‘pert’ breast hanging in a more regular position.

Your surgeon will explain his or her preferred breast reduction surgery technique at your consultation and where the incision is to be placed accordingly.

You will need to wear a garment day and night for at least three weeks after breast reduction surgery, and may be for as long as 6 - 8 weeks.

Whilst different surgeons will operate according to slightly different protocols following breast reduction surgery, you will need to wear a garment for at least 3 weeks after your breast reduction surgery.

This might be a specialised lycra compression garment made specifically for those who have recently undergone breast reduction surgery, or simply a sports bra depending on your surgeons preference.

Either way, the compression garment is worn to support the breasts and protect the wounds. It is particularly necessary for when you are undertaking more vigorous activity and exercise.

Sensation loss is rarely an issue after breast reduction surgery, but on occasion can occur.

Women with very large breasts often never have significant feeling in the nipples and in the event that sensation is reduced after breast reduction surgery, it is unlikely to be missed.

General advice is to take two weeks off work following breast reduction surgery, since swelling is greatest during this time and it is advisable to give wounds time to heal.  During this period it is advisable to keep physical activity to a minimum or drive. It is, however, advisable to mobilise as soon as possible after breast reduction surgery.

If stitches need to be removed, this is generally carried out at about two weeks after the operation.  At this stage dressings are removed and women are encouraged to wear comfortable crop tops or sports bras for support until any swelling and discomfort has resolved, after which they can start wearing normal bras in their new size – this may take a few weeks longer.

Massage and moisturizing are a vital process of breast reduction aftercare and expert advice will be given on the best techniques from our dedicated team.

Following traditional breast reduction techniques, you should expect a small degree of scarring.

There are different techniques for breast reduction and the scars created will depend on the technique employed, as well as the patient in question and the size of the breasts being reduced. Most commonly you should expect some scarring around the nipple, across the bottom of the breast fold, and a vertical scar linking the nipple scar to the breast fold scar giving rise to the so-called ‘inverted T’ or anchor pattern. Some surgeons prefer to perform the operation omitting the breast fold scar giving rise to the ‘vertical scar’ reduction. Not everybody is necessarily eligible for this and it tends to be used for not such large breasts.

Due to our specialism in liposuction, it is possible in some cases to perform breast reduction using liposuction techniques only. This technique is often known as ‘scarless breast reduction’ since the incisions required can be made in less prominent positions, such as under the arms, where they cannot be seen.

Regardless of which technique you undergo, Cadogan Clinic is able to provide each and every one of its patients with access to one of London’s most advanced scar minimization programmes, led by our scar prevention team here at the Clinic. Our nurses have decades of experience and will provide you with the tools and techniques to support your healing process as effectively as possible.

Breast reduction surgery necessarily requires an incision that will result in a breast reduction scar that will likely be red and slightly raised in the weeks and months after your procedure, before it fades completely.

Breast reduction scar visibility can, however, be greatly impacted by the quality of the surgeon you choose, as well as the level of aftercare you receive.

In the hands of a skilled surgeon the breast reduction scar can be positioned very discreetly during your breast reduction surgery, whilst an expert scar minimization team can provide you with the tools and techniques to enhance the healing process. For example, the appearance of your breast reduction scars can be reduced by regular moisturisation and massage techniques, all of which our dedicated team will advise our patients in the days following your procedure.

Due to our specialism in liposuction, it is possible in some cases to perform breast reduction surgery using liposuction techniques only. This technique is often known as ‘scarless breast reduction’ since the incisions required can be made in less prominent positions, such as under the arms, where they can not been seen.

Breast reduction recovery time varies from case to case but you should be able to return to your normal day-to-day activities after about two weeks. However, we recommend our patients be sensitive to their body and try not to do too much too soon, ceasing activities after or during which any pain is experienced.

We recommend temporary suspension of activities such as going to the gym, and practicing aerobics and sports that involve using your arms. Any activity that requires lifting your elbows above your shoulders should also be carefully monitored.

All breast reduction techniques require an incision that will result in a scar that will likely be red and slightly raised in the weeks and months after your procedure, before fading completely.

Scar visibility can, however, be greatly impacted by the quality of the surgeon you choose, as well as the level of aftercare you receive. In the hands of a skilled surgeon the scar can be positioned very discreetly, whilst an expert scar minimization team can provide you with the tools and techniques to enhance the healing process. For example, scar the appearance can be reduced by regular moisturisation and massage techniques, all of which our dedicated team will advise our patients in the days following your procedure.

Due to our specialism in liposuction, it is possible in some cases to perform breast reduction using liposuction techniques only. This technique is often known as ‘scarless breast reduction’ since the incisions required can be made in less prominent positions, such as under the arms, where they can not been seen.

Breast reduction surgery is a highly effective technique to help lose breast weight and reduce the impact of large, heavy breasts.

Heavy breasts are uncomfortable and can cause both physical discomfort and pain, and psychological distress.

Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue from naturally large and  heavy breasts and relieves the associated discomfort.

You can have a full body shower one week after your breast reduction surgery. This is usually when any bandages and drains are removed.

It is important that you use non-perfumed soap and gently pat yourself dry with a clean towel afterwards. Do not scrub yourself in the shower or rub yourself dry with the towel as this may irritate or dislodge the stitches.

You must not take a bath or soak the affected area in hot water until at least four weeks after your breast reduction.

You must avoid strenuous exercise, such as running, jogging or exercise classes, for six weeks after your breast reduction surgery.

During this six week period you must also limit your day-to-day physical activity, which means no lifting, pushing, or pulling objects heavier than 5kg. This means being careful when carrying shopping bags, lifting children and doing household chores like laundry and vacuuming. We recommend asking friends or family members to help you with these activities during the recovery period.

We recommend wearing a sports bra for eight weeks after your breast reduction to give you support. However, wearing a sports bra does not mean that you can safely take part in the activities mentioned above.

There are a number of reasons why a woman may choose to undergo breast reduction surgery. These vary from person to person, but these may include to alleviate back, shoulder and neck pain caused by large breasts, to stop skin irritation and rashes developing underneath the breasts and to improve low self-esteem.

In short, if your large breasts are affecting your physical, mental or emotional wellbeing, or interfering with your day-to-day life, then you may want to consider speaking to a consultant about breast reduction surgery.

Breast reduction itself will not result in weight loss and should not be viewed as a weight loss surgery. But breast reduction can help to make exercise an easier and more enjoyable experience and give you the self-confidence to go to the gym, go to an exercise class or take up sport. This could lead to weight loss as well as a general improvement in your overall health.

Having a breast reduction will also bring this part of your body back in proportion with the rest of you. This will change the way your clothing sits on your body and you may even find that you drop a dress size. Breast reduction can also improve posture, which may make your body appear smaller than before. However these changes largely depend on how your enlarged breasts altered the appearance of your body, not as weight loss itself. The final results will vary from person to person.

If large breasts are causing you physical pain or discomfort, then breast reduction surgery can help to alleviate this pain or prevent it from getting worse. If your breasts are causing you to have low self-esteem or poor body image, surgery may help with this. If the size of your breasts are having an adverse impact on your social life, work or romantic relationships, then reduction surgery may help. 

Yes, breast reduction surgery has been shown to improve upper back pain and shoulder pain caused by large breasts.  

Large breasts mean that excess weight is carried on the chest, causing strain on the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Enlarged breasts can also be responsible for poor posture, which can exacerbate back problems.

If you suspect your breasts are the cause of your back pain, you may wish to consider whether breast reduction surgery is a good option for you.