Breast-reduction-surgery-faqs
Breast Reduction FAQs – Q&A about Breast Reduction Surgery
, or boob reduction, is highly effective for reducing the size and weight of large and heavy breasts. can achieve effective relief of back pain, neck pain or shoulder aches. Centre for Surgery is renowned for our expertise in breast reduction, and here we answer your most commonly asked questions about having a boob reduction.
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BREAST REDUCTION BENEFITS
Macromastia is a medical condition characterised by excessive breast tissue in women, also commonly referred to as large breasts or breast hypertrophy. Symptoms can include back, neck and shoulder pain; grooving of the shoulders caused by bra straps; rashes or infections under the breasts; difficulty finding clothing that fits; difficulty with physical activities; self-consciousness about the appearance of the breasts; psychological distress; postural problems; and difficulty sleeping. Treatment options include physiotherapy, well-fitting supportive bras, and breast reduction surgery.
Large and heavy breasts can cause several physical and emotional problems including back and neck pain, shoulder grooving from bra straps, headaches, rashes or infections under the breasts, difficulty finding clothing, self-consciousness, difficulty with physical activities, psychological distress, postural problems and difficulty sleeping.
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Women choose to have breast reduction when they have excessively large or heavy breasts that are out of proportion to the rest of the body, causing back pain, neck or shoulder pain, visit biosupplyuk.com`s official website) bra strap grooving, restrictions on exercise, or significant loss of confidence due to unwanted attention.
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Breast reduction involves the surgical removal of excess skin and breast tissue to reduce the weight of heavy breasts and improve their shape. A breast lift focuses solely on removing excess skin to achieve a more breast contour without significantly breast size. Breast reduction surgery includes a breast lift. A breast lift does not necessarily include a breast reduction.
Alternatives include lifestyle changes such as losing weight and maintaining a diet, wearing well-fitting supportive bras, physical therapy to alleviate pain, and over-the-counter pain medications. However, for women with significantly large breasts causing physical symptoms, surgery is usually the most long-term solution.
the best results after breast reduction depends on choosing a specialist plastic surgeon. A specialist surgeon should regularly carry out breast reduction surgery and be able to answer any questions or you may have about the .
We do not routinely require a GP referral to see a plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery for breast reduction. However, our clinical support team may request a GP summary as part of the preoperative process to ensure you are as fit as possible for surgery and anaesthesia.
SUITABILITY FOR BREAST REDUCTION
Yes. Centre for Surgery observes a mandatory reflection period between your consultation and your surgery date. This ensures you have had sufficient time to consider your decision fully, ask any questions, and feel completely confident before proceeding. Your surgeon will confirm the specific timeframe at your consultation.
Breast reduction is highly effective for reducing the size of even very large breasts, including G or H cups. Your surgeon will carry out a detailed clinical assessment to assess your goals for treatment.
Patients must be at least 18 years of age before having a consultation or surgery at our clinic.
Apart from fulfilling the minimum age requirements, breast reduction is suitable for any woman who is suffering from physical symptoms, including back, shoulder or neck pain, due to having large or heavy breasts. There is no upper age limit for a breast reduction as long as you are in a good state of medical health and have realistic expectations.
Although your surgeon may consider you suitable for surgery if you are slightly overweight, it is best to be at or near your goal weight. An increased body mass index increases the potential risks of any surgical procedure. Ideally, your BMI should be less than 30. We do not operate on anyone with a body mass index over 35.
If you are significantly overweight, you will need to lose weight before having breast reduction surgery to reduce the risk of complications and to help minimise any effects on the results of your surgery.
The best time to consider breast reduction is when the size of your breasts is causing physical discomfort, pain or your daily activities, and when you have your family planning — as pregnancy can cause a significant increase in breast size.
is a rare condition by excessive growth of breast tissue in females. The condition can occur at any age but is most common during puberty and pregnancy. The cause is not well understood but may involve hormonal imbalances or genetic predisposition. Treatment involves breast reduction surgery.
All patients should stop smoking at least four weeks before and after surgery. You should follow your surgeon’s . Medicines containing aspirin should be stopped before surgery, as this can increase the risk of bleeding. It may be sensible to obtain a mammogram of the breasts before surgery to act as a baseline.
BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE
There are several different types of breast reduction surgery:
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General is most commonly used for breast reduction surgery for your comfort and safety.
Breast reduction surgery takes between two and four hours to perform, depending on the size of the breast reduction and the amount of breast tissue that will need to be removed.
Although breast reduction is not a weight-loss procedure, women can expect to lose between two and six kilograms after the procedure. The removed tissue consists of skin, fat and excess breast tissue.
Breast reduction surgery can achieve at least one cup size reduction and often two. Total removal of the breast is also known as a mastectomy, commonly performed for breast cancer or as .
Drains are tubes placed under the skin during surgery to remove any excess fluid or blood that may accumulate after the procedure. Whether or not you will need drains after a breast reduction depends on the specific technique used by your surgeon and the amount of tissue removed. They are typically removed after a few days when fluid output is low enough.
BREAST REDUCTION RECOVERY
It takes between two and three months to fully after a breast reduction. You should avoid vigorous exercise for the first six weeks to help your healing.
During the procedure, you will be under general anaesthesia so you will not feel any pain. After the procedure, you will experience some pain and discomfort, which can be managed with pain . Swelling, and chest tightness are common and should start to subside within the first few days to a week after .
After breast reduction surgery, avoid sleeping on your or on your side with your arms above your head for the first few weeks. The best sleeping position is on your back with a pillow to elevate the head and shoulders. This helps reduce and keeps the incisions in a neutral position.
You may safely sleep on your side approximately six weeks after surgery.
You may have a shower after 48 hours. Use mild soap and warm water and avoid vigorously rubbing your incision site. You should avoid baths, saunas or steam rooms for at least six weeks after .
We would recommend waiting a minimum of six weeks before going to the gym and starting vigorous exercise. Gentle walking around the home is encouraged during the first week after surgery.
You may safely start running again six weeks after surgery.
Swimming should be avoided for at least eight weeks after surgery.
You should wait a minimum of four weeks before recommencing sexual intercourse.
Underwire bras should be avoided for at least three months after surgery to prevent any irritation or breakdown of the surgical incisions.
Nipple sensation will initially be reduced after surgery, and it can take six to eight weeks for nipple sensitivity to return. If you still have persistent numbness affecting your nipples after three months, consult with your .
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BREAST REDUCTION RESULTS
Once breast tissue and excess skin have been removed, the soft tissues do not grow back. However, subsequent pregnancies or significant weight gain can adversely affect the results, leading to an increase in the size of the breasts which may necessitate revision breast surgery.
Once excess skin, fat and breast tissue have been surgically removed, the soft tissues do not grow back. Pregnancy and massive weight gain can lead to the breasts in size after surgery.
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Breast reduction can be performed a second time to correct the appearance of heavy, droopy or sagging breasts caused by the ageing process, pregnancy or weight gain.
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BREAST REDUCTION RISKS
Breast reduction is a very safe procedure, commonly performed at our plastic surgery clinic in London. The risks of surgery are significantly minimised if you choose a specialist plastic surgeon to perform your procedure.
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Breast reduction surgery, like any other surgery, carries certain risks including:
Getting pregnant after breast reduction surgery can adversely affect the results. Pregnancy can cause a significant increase in the size of the breasts, undoing the outcome of . This is why we recommend having breast reduction surgery once you have completed your family and no longer wish to have any more children.
In most cases, breast reduction will not interfere with the ability to breastfeed. It is essential to choose a specialist plastic to perform breast reduction to minimise injury to the milk ducts surrounding the nipple.
Developing a haematoma after breast reduction is rare. If it does occur, it is most commonly characterised by significant bruising surrounding the breast. The body will gradually absorb most breast haematomas after two weeks, although larger ones may require a return to theatre for surgical evacuation.
BREAST REDUCTION FUNDING
Breast reduction surgery is available on the NHS in the UK, but it is considered a discretionary procedure. The NHS generally only offers it when the patient’s breast size is causing significant physical discomfort such as back and neck pain, skin or difficulty with physical activities. The must also have a BMI of 30 or less and have tried other treatments without success. Availability varies by region.
In some cases, breast reduction surgery may be by private medical insurance — for example, in cases of gigantomastia, or significant shoulder, neck or back pain with associated skin irritation or infections. Check with your insurer before deciding to fund the procedure yourself.
Centre for Surgery offers a full range of options through Chrysalis Finance, including 0% APR for eligible applicants.
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Breast reduction surgery can be a very effective way to reduce pain and discomfort caused by large breasts, as well as improve self-esteem and overall quality of life. Whether or not it is worth it depends on the individual’s specific circumstances and goals.
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Breast reduction surgery at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is the leading surgery clinic in London and home to some of the UK’s top plastic surgeons. We hundreds of breast procedures each year at our state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery clinic in Marylebone. Please book a by us on or completing the contact form below.
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