Breast Reduction

In breast reduction surgery, the goal is to reduce the size of your breasts. As part of your consultation, Dr Victoria will work with you to understand what your ideal breast size is, so that she can work to achieving this. This will minimize the possibility of having too little or too much removed.

Although a breast reduction is performed, all patients will also benefit from a breast uplift as well. Both your breasts will appear more ‘pert’ on the chest wall and your nipples will be re-positioned to match your new breast position. Dr Victoria will show you these new positions before surgery.

All stitches are dissolving, so they will not need to be removed. Once the surgery is complete, surgical glue and tapes are used over the scar lines. You will have a post-surgical bra fitted to support and shape your breasts at the end of surgery. Dr Victoria uses a surgical and anaesthetic technique that does require surgical drains after surgery.

Breast reduction surgery has many physical and pscychological benefits for patients- it’s not ‘just a cosmetic procedure’. Many women report it as a ‘life-changing’ operation if they undergo the procedure for the right reasons. Some common reasons why women choose to have breast reduction surgery are :

• Upper neck/ back pain

• Grooving/ pain from bra straps due to the heaviness of their breasts

• Difficully in fitting clothese

• Rash/ sweatiness below their breasts

• Social embarrassment

• Difficulty in exercising

Women don’t have to be a particular breast size to be eligible for a breast reduction. There are no size limitations with very large breasts but if women with modest-sized breasts want to reduce the size of their breasts, then other options could be discussed. Dr Victoria will take a detailed consultation with you, exploration your goals and wishes for surgery.

We recommend you stay in hospital for one overnight stay to ensure that your pain and recovery from general anaesthetic is well controlled. This overnight stay is included in the price package.

Dr Victoria uses a unique surgical technique that allows for drainless surgery, so you will not have surgical drains to go home with. We recommend 1-2 weeks off work, depending on the nature of your work and to avoid any strenuous upper body exercise for 6-8 weeks. You will need to wear a post- surgical compression bra for the first 3 weeks after surgery, followed by a sports bra for the following 3 weeks.

Dr Victoria utilises the latest surgical techniques and instrumentation to achieve the best results for her patients. Over the years, there have been significant advancements in our understanding of breast reduction surgery, and Dr Victoria takes advantage of these developments to enhance the surgical experience.

Thanks to these new techniques, patients can experience significantly less pain than those who underwent surgery a few years ago. Most patients who undergo breast reduction surgery with Dr Victoria report only mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure. However, this should be well controlled with painkillers, and the pain typically improves and dissipates after the first 4-5 days.

The scars for breast reduction surgery are anchor shaped – there is a scar around and below the nipple and in the crease where your underwire of your bra would sit. None of the scars will be noticeable in low cut clothing, a bikini or bathing suit.

Scars undergo a maturation period. You should expect for them to be red, raised and lumpy initially but with time, these should fade and flatten.

Although breast reduction surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon, like Dr Victoria, there is always a risk of complications. Infections can occur after any surgery, but they can be minimised by careful surgical technique and antibiotics given at the time of the procedure. Mild infections around the incision sites are relatively common, but they usually resolve within two weeks. The risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs is rare, but early mobilisation after surgery can significantly reduce this risk. Dr Victoria uses anti-clotting measures such as special stockings (TEDS) and compression devices (Flowtron) during surgery to minimise this risk. Swelling is a normal part of the post-operative healing process, and mild or moderate swelling will usually resolve on its own.

In rare cases, increased bleeding can cause significant swelling and the development of a haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin). If this happens, surgical drainage may be necessary. However, this should not affect the final outcome of the surgery. During the procedure, the nipples are preserved on a stalk of breast tissue and repositioned. In most cases, the nipples remain natural with normal contraction and some sensitivity. But in rare cases, inadequate blood supply to the stalk of the breast tissue can cause part or all of the nipple to slough off. If this happens, prolonged dressing will be required until natural healing occurs, and reconstruction of the nipple may be necessary as a secondary procedure.

During the first 2-3 weeks after surgery, some patients may experience minor complications such as loss of wound adhesion, suture extrusion, or chafing of the skin at any point of the incision sites, especially where the vertical scar meets the nipple and/or the under-breast crease. This is a temporary complication that will require regular dressing changes initially, and eventually, a scab will develop over it, which will separate after 3-4 weeks. A padded dressing for a few weeks can decrease the likelihood of this occurring, but some distortion of the skin around the scar may ensue. If necessary, further revision surgery may be required.

The cost for breast reduction surgery will include the surgeon fee, anaesthetist fee and a hospital fee. The price also includes all your post- operative follow up clinic consultations.

On average, the cost is £10,000 but this may vary slightly depending on your unique requirements. We will give you a detailed quotation following your consultation.