Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery can help if you have breasts which are causing you discomfort or pain in the back or shoulders, affecting your posture and limiting the types of clothing that you feel confident in.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery can help if you have breasts which are causing you discomfort or pain in the back or shoulders, affecting your posture and limiting the types of clothing that you feel confident in.
Key Points
Surgery at a Glance
- Surgery Time: 2 - 4 hours
- Hospital Stay: outpatient or 1 night
- Compression Bra: 12 weeks
- Light Exercise: 4 - 6 weeks
- Full Recovery: 6 - 8 weeks
Procedure Time:
2 - 4 hours
Hospital Stay:
Outpatient or 1 night
Compression Bra:
12 weeks
Light Exercise:
4 - 6 weeks
Fully Recovered:
6 - 8 weeks
Procedure Time:
2 - 4 hours
Hospital Stay:
Outpatient or 1 night
Compression Bra:
12 weeks
Light Exercise:
4 - 6 weeks
Fully Recovered:
6 - 8 weeks
Breast Reduction Surgery in Detail
Breast reduction surgery can help if you have breasts which are causing you discomfort or pain in the back or shoulders, affecting your posture and limiting the types of clothing that you feel confident in. Breast reduction can also help to even up breasts which are asymmetrical. Also known as a reduction mammoplasty, this procedure reduces the size and weight of the breasts, making them smaller and reshaping them by removing excess skin and fat.
- Can ease neck, shoulder or back pain caused by large breasts
- Can reduce rashes and chafing under the breasts
- Can improve the shape of the breasts
- Can make it easier to buy underwear, like bras
- Can reduce the chafing, discomfort and irritation caused by bra straps
- Can correct different-sized breasts
- Can make exercise more comfortable
- Can improve self-confidence
- Infection
- Bruising
- Scarring
- Changes in sensation
- Asymmetry
- May have limited ability to breastfeed
- Partial or total loss of the nipple
- Build-up of fluid beneath the skin (seroma)
- Breasts size can fluctuate following this procedure, due to weight changes or pregnancy
Before the breast reduction procedure, you’ll be given general anaesthetic and so you’ll be asleep for the duration of the operation.
Although the individual technique that your surgeon uses will depend on factors such as your desired look, typically the procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the breasts. Your surgeon will make an incision in your breast around the areola (the larger, dark area of the nipple) and then down the breast in order to remove excess tissue, breast fat and skin.
To complete the operation, they will then reshape the breast and reposition your nipple and areola to a new position if needed.
You might choose to have a breast reduction procedure because having large breasts is causing you significant discomfort and pain in the chest, neck, shoulder, and back. Heavy breasts can also lead to postural issues and contribute to muscle strain.
Skin irritation and rashes can also be an issue under larger breasts due to friction and moisture accumulation.
If you have very large breasts, you may find physical activities challenging, such as exercise, or sports, and this can have a negative impact on your overall quality of life.
Finding well-fitting clothes that accommodate larger breasts can be challenging. You may feel limited in your fashion choices, and struggle to find clothing that fits your upper and lower body proportions. And breast size can also impact your self-esteem and body image – you may feel self-conscious and uncomfortable in social situations, or have low self-confidence due to the attention your breast size attracts.
You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you won’t be able to drive yourself.
You might need assistance with daily tasks in the first week or so after your surgery, as you should rest and avoid any strenuous activities. You’ll probably experience swelling, bruising, and some discomfort during this time. You’ll need to wear a compression garment which will help to support the healing process and minimise swelling. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for wound care and take any medication as directed, and avoid heavy lifting, bending, or any activities that strain the chest area.
After 2 to 4 weeks, you should be able to return to light activities and work, depending on the nature of your job. You can gradually start to increase your activity levels and, by 6 weeks post-op, you should be able to resume your normal activities and exercise routines.
Make sure you attend your post-operative appointments with your surgeon so that they can monitor your healing progress.
From Our Team
Your Journey
Step 1
Our surgeon assistant will guide you to a suitable surgeon for a video discussion. Should you choose to move forward, we will arrange a pre-surgery meeting, depending on your medical history.
Step 2
Being in good health is vital for surgery. We’ll arrange a pre-surgery check with our nurses to ensure you’re ready and right for the procedure.
Step 3
On your surgery day at SUR, we’ll ensure your comfort as we prepare. Your procedure will occur in a theatre or clinical room, based on its type. Afterwards, you’ll rest in a recovery area or room. Once you’re recovering well, you can head home.
Step 4
At SUR, we prioritise outstanding aftercare. After your procedure, we’ll support you throughout. We’ll schedule check-ins to track your recovery, and our surgical assistant is on hand for any post-operative guidance.
Our surgeon assistant will guide you to a suitable surgeon for a video discussion. Should you choose to move forward, we will arrange a pre-surgery meeting, depending on your medical history.
Being in good health is vital for surgery. We’ll arrange a pre-surgery check with our nurses to ensure you’re ready and right for the procedure.
On your surgery day at SUR, we’ll ensure your comfort as we prepare. Your procedure will occur in a theatre or clinical room, based on its type. Afterwards, you’ll rest in a recovery area or room. Once you’re recovering well, you can head home.
At SUR, we prioritise outstanding aftercare. After your procedure, we’ll support you throughout. We’ll schedule check-ins to track your recovery, and our surgical assistant is on hand for any post-operative guidance.
Breast Reduction FAQ's
After breast reduction surgery is performed, it’s inevitable that you will have scarring, but as most of it will sit beneath your nipple, it shouldn’t be too noticeable once you’ve healed. Your surgeon will aim to place the incisions in inconspicuous areas if possible.
To reduce the severity of any scarring, you should avoid the sun and sunbeds to protect the scar. You should also avoid smoking, as this affects the rate at which you heal and can delay your recovery.
It’s normal to experience some discomfort and pain during this type of procedure. Taking pain medication will help to manage this during the recovery period.
Breast reduction surgery could affect your ability to breastfeed. The extent of how this might impact breastfeeding varies, depending on the surgical technique used. It’s important to discuss this with your surgeon if you plan on having children in the future.
While our surgeons will always strive for symmetry, no two breasts are ever perfectly symmetrical. Breast reduction surgery aims to improve the proportions and balance of the breasts, but you should be aware that complete symmetry is not always achievable.
Meet Our Team
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Sur Wellness presents an approach that truly stands unparalleled. It brings a fresh, multidimensional perspective to patient care, taking the journey beyond just medical excellence. Coupled with our unique VIP and medical concierge offerings, Sur’s approach caters not only to the physical, but also to the emotional and holistic needs of our patients. It’s this synthesis of care, commitment, and luxury that offers a new, profound dimension to the patient experience, setting Sur Wellness apart in the realm of surgical well-being.