Breast Reduction

A BREAST REDUCTION is indicated when your breasts are too large and this is causing symptoms such as backache, neckache, shoulder strain, rashes underneath your breasts and psycho-social problems. Large breasts may interfere with your ability to exercise, find suitable clothing and to feel socially confidant. A breast reduction will not only reduce the size of your breasts and help alleviate your symptoms, but will also lift your breasts and improve their shape.

I perform most breast reductions as day case surgery (in and out the same day) in my own, private facility. If you are significantly overweight or have medical problems then you may not be suitable for breast reduction surgery or may need to have surgery in hospital and not ambulatory surgery in my faciity. I use women anaesthetists who will use a deep sedation or light general anaesthesia. This will be supplemented with local anaesthesia. You will be asleep, pain-free and unaware at the time of surgery and you will have a quick recovery.

The usual incision for breast reduction leaves an anchor shaped scar around the areolae, extending vertically down from there and then along the crease as an inverted T. Sometimes small reductions can be done without leaving a scar in the crease. The nipple is elevated and excess breast tissue is excised. At the end of surgery, the wounds are closed with dissolving sutures, tape is placed over the cuts and a dressing is applied. Drains are left in the breast to remove excess blood and fluid and these will be removed a day or two after surgery. A post-operative surgical bra is used for 3 weeks following your surgery. The operation is performed in the morning and takes me about two and half hours. You will recover in the afternoon in my recovery room and once you are up and about and I am satisfied, you will be discharged home.

Painkillers will be prescribed for post-operative pain. Bruising and swelling will last about 2-3 weeks and once this has subsided, you can resume your normal activities. Overseas patients can return home approximately 2-3 weeks following surgery. Sedentary work can be resumed after 2-3 weeks, more vigorous activities after 4-6 weeks. It does take a few weeks or months for the breasts to settle into their new shape.

Complications which can occur include bleeding, infection, benign lumps, sensory changes, and delayed healing.

Breast reduction usually provides a permanent reduction in size and allows you to live a more normal life. Breast reduction is a commonly performed procedure with predictable results. Following surgery you should feel a greater self confidence and an improved self esteem.Breast reduction is associated with very high degrees of patient satisfaction.

Breast reduction

The patient's right breast (left side of the image) shows the nipple to notch distance above and the nipple to crease measurement around the bottom of the breast. If you send me an email enquiry about wanting breast reduction, then this information is useful to me, along with your height and weight and other questions in my online form.

The patient's left breast (right side of the image) shows the usual Wise keyhole incision, the elevation of the nipple and areola and the way the sides of the breast come in after removal of tissue to create a new, smaller, lifted and more aesthetic breast.

Occasionally some patients are suitable for liposuction of the breast. While this may seem appealing because fo the minimal scarring it leaves, the breasts do have to be suitable for lipo (fatty rather than glandular), no/minimal lift is achieved and a flat, empty breast is created.

Read more about breast reduction

Testimonials from patients who have had breast surgery