Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure that reduces the size and weight of large, heavy breasts, helping to create a more aesthetically pleasing breast contour that is better proportioned to a patient’s body.

By removing excess breast tissue, fat, and sagging, stretched skin, a cosmetic surgeon can not only make the breasts smaller, lighter, and firmer, but also improve breast symmetry and eliminate sagging.

Is Breast Reduction Surgery For You?

While many patients choose breast reduction to alleviate physical symptoms such as back, neck or shoulder pain, shoulder grooves, or discomfort while exercising, the cosmetic benefits of breast reduction should not be overlooked:

Your breast will be lifted and firmer, helping you look more youthful
Bras will fit more comfortably and attractively
With better proportioned breasts, your overall silhouette will be more balanced and attractive
Stretched areolas and/or large nipples can be reduced during the same procedure, helping you look better in and out of clothing
Swimsuits, sports bras, and form-fitting clothes will look and feel better, helping boost your confidence during activity

Because it both alleviates physical and emotional discomfort and enhances a patient’s appearance, breast reduction can be one of the most rewarding cosmetic surgery procedures.

Patients note an increase in self-confidence as well as a renewed sense of freedom to wear the clothes they want to wear and participate in physical activities they had previously avoided.

While many patients experience an immediate relief from back and shoulder pain after breast reduction, it is important to understand that it will take some time for your final results to settle in.

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What to Expect

Breast reduction surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia.

The procedure lasts from 1 -2 hours.

Usually three incisions are needed; around the areola; running vertically down from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease under the breast; the third incision traces the curve of the breast crease.

The nipple and areola are re-positioned and moved up higher. The skin on both sides of the breasts is then brought down and around the areola creating the breasts new shape.

After making the incisions, your cosmetic surgeon will remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, moving the nipple/areola complex to a higher, more forward position on the chest. The remaining breast tissue and skin will be reshaped and closed with dissolvable sutures. The areolas can be reduced to a more proportional size during the procedure as well.

After spending a brief time in supervised recovery, you will be able to go home that same day to continue your recovery.

Your chest will be bandaged, and you may be sent home in a surgical bra.

You can expect to feel considerable soreness the first couple of days after your procedure, and your cosmetic surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help keep you comfortable during this initial period.

Swelling, soreness, bruising and tingling are typical after breast reduction, so your new smaller breasts may appear a little larger than you had expected while initial swelling is present.

Gently placing ice packs on top of the bandages can help alleviate discomfort as well.

The amount of time you need to recover from breast reduction will depend on your natural healing rate as well as the extent of surgery performed.

You will be able to get up and walk around the same day of surgery, although you should have a trusted adult with you during the first 24 hours.

While you may be permitted to shower a few days after surgery, you will probably need help getting dressed, as you will not have full range of motion in your chest and shoulders at first.

Most patients feel ready to drive and return to a desk job within 1 week, after they are no longer taking prescription pain medication.

A minimum of 3 - 4 weeks before resuming exercise other than walking; this helps to ensure your incisions heal properly.

After about 8 – 12 weeks, your final results will be more or less in place and you can shop for new bras with confidence.

Additionally, the breasts often heal at a different rate, so you may notice some asymmetry during the first few months of your recovery.

After breast reduction, you can expect to enjoy smaller, lighter breasts for a lifetime, so long as you maintain a stable weight and do not have any more children. However, nothing can stop the normal aging process. Eventually your breasts will probably begin to sag once again, although not as severely as they might have before breast reduction.

Also, future pregnancies are likely to change the shape, size, and appearance of your breasts, possibly reversing some of the positive changes made during breast reduction.

Harley Street Surgery of London has been on the forefront of medical and surgical innovation. We continuously offer patients the most cutting edge techniques in medical treatment. If you would like to learn more about how you could benefit from this treatment, please contact our office for a private consultation appointment.