Reduction

If you are suffering from symptoms due to excess breast volume, such as back and neck pain, deep bra strap marks and skin conditions, you might be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. This procedure aims to improve the size and shape of your breasts, by reducing them and at the same time move the nipple to a more central position, for a more youthful look. An element of liposuction is frequently used as an adjunct to this procedure, to reduce stubborn areas of fat under and in front of the armpit.

This procedure should give long lasting results. However, factors such as large weight fluctuations and pregnancy, can alter the final result. It is therefore important to time this surgery well, with regards to the above.

Depending on the size of the breasts, this surgery takes between three and four hours.

As with any surgery, there is an element of ache and mild discomfort. In general, patients undergoing breast reduction surgery do not find it very uncomfortable. When liposuction is also performed there a small additional element of tenderness over the treated area. Local anaesthesia is additionally given during the surgery and combined with post-operative oral analgesia, should keep you very comfortable during your recovery.

No, I do not use drains for breast reduction surgery

A surgical bra following mastopexy provides support and comfort and depending where your surgery takes place, this will either be provided for you (Spire Clare Park), or one will be recommended to you for purchase. It is recommended that this is worn day and night for six weeks following surgery. However, a supportive sports bra is also equally as good.

Recovery varies between one to two weeks. Incisions are generally healed within a week to ten days. As a general rule, you should avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery. You are of course encouraged to move as normal, to minimise the risk of chest infections and leg clots. The final result including scar appearance is usually evident once all the swelling has subsided and this can take up to 12 months. Using a single layer of the provided micropore tape on the scars for 6 – 12 weeks, will give the best results possible. If this is not tolerated, scar surgical massage is a good alternative, starting after the first 3 weeks when all the wounds have healed. Scars should not be exposed to direct sunlight without the application of a high SPF cream for about a year and products such as Cicaplast contain both silicone and SPF block. There are however other alternatives. A post-operative surgical or sports bra should be worn at all times for 6 weeks.

Some of the general risks include discomfort, risk of poor scarring, risk of infection (1%), altered nipple sensation or loss, risk of bleeding, bottoming out, need for revision surgery, degrees of asymmetry, loss of the ability to breast feed and delayed wound healing. Your nipple sensation may decrease, increase (hypersensitivity), or lost completely (including erotic sensation) and this might be different between the two sides. This can improve over time as the nerves recover, but it is difficult to predict and it is not guaranteed. The nipple remains attached to part of the breast gland when moved to its new different position. This is to preserve its blood supply, keep it alive and ensure healing. There is however the very rare risk that the nipple does not survive this transfer, leading to nipple necrosis. This is much more common in smokers and I encourage smokers to stop a month before and after this surgery. I will generally not perform a breast reduction or any other breast cosmetic procedures on active smokers. Fat necrosis is a phenomenon of fat losing its blood supply and the oily content of fat cells collecting or causing firm painful lumps. Again, this is more common in smokers. There is also the risk of stretching of the scars and development of poor-quality thick scars, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. Lastly like in all surgery, there are no guarantees for a perfect outcome.