Breast Reduction Surgery

Also known as a mammoplasty, breast reduction surgery is an operation that removes the excess weight and volume of the breasts. The breasts are then reshaped and the nipples are re-positioned to form new smaller breasts.

If you feel that your breasts are overly large, are not in proportion to the rest of your body or are causing you pain & discomfort, you may want to consider breast reduction surgery.

Making the choice to have cosmetic surgery, especially if you've been thinking about it for a while, is something that should be celebrated. You're making a decision that's set to change your life and give you control over how you look and feel - which is something understandably exciting and nerve wracking.

But don't worry. With Pall Mall, we're here every step of the way, helping you meet the new, more confident you.

You will be placed under general anaesthetic so you won’t feel a thing. Breast Reduction surgery lasts on average 3+ hours in theatre. Afterwards you will be taken back to your private room to recover.

If you would like more information about breast reduction surgery or wish to meet a surgeon for a consultation, our Patient Coordinators are available to help.

Before your surgery takes place, you will be asked to attend a pre-operative assessment. There’s nothing to worry about here as the nurse will just want to check your overall health to make sure there aren’t any unforeseen issues, to ensure you are fit and healthy to undergo general anaesthetic and surgery.

The appointment will check for MRSA and you may need to undergo a blood and urine test. One of the primary parts of the pre-assessment will be taking photos of your chest so that we have a medical record before the surgery goes ahead. Make sure you ask the Nurse any questions so she can put you at ease before the surgery.

Post surgery, our patient experience team will be in touch to book you in for your post-op appointments. You will be expected to attend a short appointment 1, 2 and 6 weeks post surgery. This is to ensure you are healing well and are happy with the results. Your first 2 appointments will be with our Nurse and your 6 week appointment will be with your surgeon.

You’ll be in the best hands for your aftercare from Breast Reduction surgery with Pall Mall. We will keep in contact throughout your journey and you’ll be able to reach a member of staff 24/7 if you have any concerns. You will be given a number for our 24 hour nurse who is on hand to answer any medical questions or concerns you may have during your recovery.

We’d suggest taking some time off work to recover, but you will be provided with post-operative pain killers and instructions on how to manage your dressings or stitches.

During your consultation, your surgeon will recommend the best plan for you based on your size and body composition, whilst making sure to take into account your personal goals.

As the surgery involves changing the position of the nipples there is a risk of losing partial or full sensation in your nipples. However, there is minimal to no sensation loss in most cases.

All surgery carries some sort of risk and breast reduction surgery carries the same risks as any other major surgery. Possible complications include: unfavourable scarring, infection, temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipples, shape irregularities and delayed wound healing.

Your surgeon will talk to you about the risks and benefits in detail at your consultation and pre-operation appointments.

• Reducing the size of your breasts can leave you feeling more comfortable as it can help eliminate the constant pain of indentation from bra straps, skin irritation, back and neck pain and posture problems.
• Allowing more comfortable involvement in sporting activities that otherwise would be painful or awkward with large, heavy breasts.
• A change in your appearance. Having large breasts that are out of proportion to your height and weight can be embarrassing and frustrating. For teenagers and young women this may be the case especially wearing swimsuits and various clothing due to unwelcome attention and the size/fitting of many high-street brands.
• Increased confidence. It may be the case that you feel & look better in clothes and are pain-free, boosting both your mood and confidence.

No two breasts are the same, so we can't guarantee a 'set size' that your breasts will be reduced to.

This is because your surgeon will analyse each patient individually in order to estimate roughly how much tissue can be removed to create a natural, in-proportion breast shape in relation to your unique body shape.

However, your surgeon will take your goals into consideration while choosing which method would be best to achieve the most optimum results.

A common breast reduction scar is in the shape of an anchor, it will surround your areola and go vertically down to the breast crease, then horizontally along the natural breast crease.

As with any surgery, this scarring will occur depending on your skin type and age, however, your surgeon will discuss this with you. But it's important to note that the scars will not be visible when wearing everyday clothing.

Although cosmetic, a breast reduction is still major surgery, so you need to give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover.

As such, we’d suggest taking 3 weeks off work to make sure you heal properly - especially while your wounds heal - but you will be provided with post-operative pain killers and instructions on how to best manage your dressings or stitches.

You may need two to three weeks off work but it can take up to six weeks to fully recover from breast reduction surgery.

This can vary due to people healing at different rates, but for most cases, it will be around 2-6 weeks, with patients usually returning to work within two to three weeks of the surgery.

However, to assure the best chance of healing, you should avoid any heavy physical exertion, bending over, lifting your arms over your head, and any exercise until after three weeks post-op.

You'll also be expected to keep wearing your compression bra until the healing period is over, in order to provide your new shape proper support as they 'settle'.

Following your surgery, it is quite normal to feel some minor pain and discomfort. You will have been discharged with medications to take to help control your pain, follow the instructions given to you on your discharge.

If you have had general anaesthesia or sedation, this can temporarily affect your coordination and reasoning skills. It is strongly advised that you must not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 48 hours afterwards.

It is important you do not over stretch or lift during your recovery. Ask for assistance with dressing and allow the person taking you home to carry your bags.

You might feel tired or drowsy for the first few hours - this is related to the anaesthetic and medication given for the surgery.

You will have some pain and discomfort for the first few days - taking regular painkillers will help. Maximum discomfort will occur on the first few days. There will be some swelling and bruising around your operation site, the majority of this will subside in 6-8 weeks.

In the first few days to weeks, you may notice any of the following:

• There may be some degree of swelling and bruising. The swelling can take up to 3 months to settle.
• The scars may look red and raised and take up to 2 years to mature completely.
• The nipples may feel numb or hypersensitive. These will improve over the first few weeks to days.
• Observe for any colour changes to the nipples and the temperature. They should be pink and warm to the touch. Some bruising can be normal.

Limit your activities for the first week to avoid unnecessary bleeding. However, do not remain immobile due to the risk of deep vein thrombosis- keep stockings on until you have returned to your normal mobility.

▪ You should avoid any strenuous exercise and swimming for at least 6 to 8 weeks.

▪ Avoid exposure of the breasts to direct sunlight/sunbeds for at least 6 months.

▪ Be sure to avoid vigorous or excessive stretching or lifting for 4-6 weeks

You should not drive yourself home or drive for a minimum of 2 weeks following your surgery. You must be able to do an emergency stop safely without causing discomfort and be able to turn adequately to see blind spots. If you are in doubt about driving, contact your motor insurer so that you are aware of their recommendations, and always follow your surgeon's advice.

You should avoid smoking and using any nicotine products during your recovery as this will affect your body’s ability to recover and can delay wound healing.

You should also avoid vitamins and herbs for 10 days before surgery.

Before your breast implant removal surgery, please inform staff if you take any other medications to minimise the risk of contraindications. Complete the full course of antibiotics if prescribed.

Take your painkillers as prescribed- try to take regularly for the first few days, avoid any aspirin containing drugs as they will thin the blood and increase the bleeding risk. Your normal bowel action may be disrupted following surgery, you may take a mild over the counter laxative if required.

Fluids are critical following surgery. Stick with a light nutritious diet for the first 24- 48 hours. Following your surgery, it is important to eat foods high in protein and full of vitamins and minerals to help aid the healing process

Leave dressings intact until they are removed in the clinic. You will usually have dissolvable sutures in place - these will dissolve in a few months following surgery. It is common to have some blood strike through onto the dressings but if it appears fully soaked or leaking through, please contact your clinic for an early dressing change.

Avoid getting the wound wet until all the dressings are removed. After they have been removed only shower - avoid soaking your wound in the bath for 6-8 weeks post operatively.

• Wear a suitable post op garment, day and night for at least 6 weeks, avoiding under wire. Adjust it to ensure it doesn’t rub on your incisions.
• Follow your surgeon's advice on how long you should take off work.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothing that will not rub on your incisions.
• should be a minimal of 1-2 weeks depending on your job.If you notice any undue swelling, pain, bleeding, fever, or discharge from your wounds please contact your clinic.
• Do not apply anything on your scars unless advised by your own surgeon.

For this surgery you will be placed under general anaesthetic and monitored closely throughout the whole surgery. This is a controlled state of unconsciousness to ensure you don’t feel pain or move while surgery is being carried out.