Having large breasts that are out of proportion with the rest of your body frame can have physical and psychological effects. Breast reduction is one of the most life changing procedures we undertake here at Transform. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms because of the size of your breasts, you might be a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery.
- Backache
- Neck pain
- Painful rashes, sweating and even infections under the breasts
- Poor posture
- Difficulty in exercising or taking part in sports
- Unwanted attention or harassment
- Self-consciousness (for example, clothes don’t fit properly)
- Depression
The most common reason women opt for a breast reduction is simply due to the fact that they feel their breasts are overly large and not in proportion with the rest of their body. Ultimately this can impact health, lifestyle and more commonly self-esteem. Some women opt for a breast reduction – or a ‘boob reduction’, to even out their silhouette when one breast is larger than the other.
To take part in breast reduction surgery you must be in good health both mentally and physically and have no pre-existing medical conditions. It is important to be realistic with your expectations and be aware of the limitations of this procedure. If your breasts are only slightly too large for your frame, it is important to weigh up the discomfort caused by them with the potential outcome of scarring as your breasts may not be as aesthetically pleasing as they once were following the procedure.
The Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery (Mammoplasty)
We know from our satisfied patients that your reduction surgery can have a positive impact on the way you feel about yourself. Your breast reduction surgery will leave you with smaller breasts and scarring will usually fade significantly over 12 to 18 months. In addition to this, a breast reduction can eliminate a number of ailments including backache, neck pain and painful rashes caused by excess sweat gathering under the breasts. Reducing the size of your breasts can help to improve posture, make partaking in sports easier and improve your self confidence among many other benefits.
Are You A Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?
For women with large, heavy breasts, breast reduction surgery is a safe and effective way to reduce the size of their breasts. The surgery will help enhance their body image, and eliminate the physical pain and discomfort, bra strap indentations, skin irritation and poor posture. Candidates for breast reduction surgery include women who:
- Breasts that are too large in proportion to your body frameª
- Heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward
- One breast is much larger than the other
- Back, neck or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
- Skin irritation beneath your breasts
- Indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps
- Restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts
- Dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the largeness of your breasts
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery is to have a consultation with Dr. Jugenburg.
What Can You Expect With Breast Reduction Surgery?
The process begins with an initial consultation with Dr. Jugenburg. You will have an opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations about the breast reduction surgery with the doctor, and ask any relevant questions you may have.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Jugenburg will:
- Review your medical history and any medications you are taking
- Discuss the procedure and any related procedures
- Provide recommendations based on your needs and goals
Dr. Jugenburg will listen to your needs, expectations and your desired outcome from the breast reduction surgery.
How the Surgery is Performed
The breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
Dr. Jugenburg uses the new, “vertical breast reduction” technique. This technique provides many benefits over the traditional approach, including:
- Minimal scar technique
- Better breast shape
- Lower risk of abnormal sensation to the nipple
- Lower risk of blood supply problems to the nipple
- Lower risk of bottoming out
- Significantly decreased blood loss during surgery
- No need for drains
- No need for overnight hospital stay
All excess skin, tissue and fat are removed. If the breasts are extremely large and pendulous, the nipple is repositioned for the best cosmetic appearance. The incisions are placed together to reshape the new, smaller breast. Sutures are placed in layers, deep within the tissue, in order to support the newly shaped breasts. Finally, bandages will be placed over the incisions. The procedure will take 41-2 hours, depending on the amount of surgery required.
It should be noted that in addition to the cutting out of the excess fat and breast tissue, Dr. Jugenburg also performs liposuction to sculpt the breast and remove excess fat from the side of the chest which the government health plan doesn’t consider part of the breast (and therefore is not covered under the provincial health plan) but is unsightly if left behind after the breasts have been reduced in size.
Following your surgery you will be able to leave the hospital as soon as you are fully awake, which can take about 1-2 hrs after the surgery.
You will see Dr. Jugenburg the following week at the clinic for a reassessment. This is done so that the doctor can personally monitor your recovery process, and to ensure that you have the best results possible.
The Recovery Process
You will be able to see the results of your surgery immediately, but there will be some swelling and bruising that may last for 3-4 weeks. Using a cold compress will help reduce the swelling, especially during the first 48-hours. A good rule is 20 minutes on the swollen area, and then 40 minutes off. There will also be some discomfort, which you can control with the pain medication Dr. Jugenburg prescribed for you.
Recovery may take several weeks to several months, but it can take a total of 6 or more months for complete healing from your surgery. Most of the swelling will dissipate during the first month or so after your surgery. You will be given a special surgical support bra to wear after for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
While it varies from patient to patient, you will be able to return to work or school in about 1 week. Avoid bending over or lifting anything above 5 pounds. That includes kids! You will be able to resume regular exercise in about 4-6 weeks.
How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost?
The cost of reduction surgery is on a per patient basis and will vary depending on your individual needs, but prices start at £5,300. This covers all of your care before and after the procedure, including our three-year aftercare programme.
Deciding how to cover the cost of breast reduction surgery is an integral part of the preparation process but fortunately there are a number of options open to you. If paying the total cost up front isn’t feasible, the fee can be broken down into manageable monthly payments that are interest free. Alternatively, you can make smaller payments over a two to five-year period should this suit your specific needs. To make cosmetic surgery an affordable reality, we work in partnership with a specialist finance provider to offer loans and interest free credit options. Please see our cosmetic surgery finance page for more details.
We understand that this very important decision for you goes far beyond cost. You can talk to us in complete confidence when you book a free appointment to discuss every aspect of breast reduction surgery.
FAQs
Will a breast reduction lift my breasts?
Large breasts can often sag due to their weight and nipples can point downwards as a result. Breast reduction surgery is designed to reduce the size and weight of the breasts and as a result breasts are smaller and more lifted after the procedure improving the appearance instantly. After breast reduction surgery, your breasts will be in proportion to your body and will appear lifted and feel firmer. The ultimate goal of any cosmetic surgeon is to create natural looking breasts, you can discuss the visual aspects with your surgeon prior to the procedure.
Are there age restrictions for breast reduction surgery?
Back, neck and shoulder pain caused by large or oversized breasts can affect people of all ages. The minimum age for breast reduction surgery at Transform is 18. A key consideration when opting to have breast reduction surgery is whether you plan to have children in the future. This is due to the fact a breast reduction may impact your ability to breast feed successfully. For this reason we don’t typically recommend a breast reduction is undertaken prior to having children.
When will I be able to see the results from my breast reduction surgery?
Immediate changes will be visible to you shortly after the breast reduction procedure but post-op swelling may prevent you from seeing the end result for some time. Although the swelling will slowly decrease over the weeks after your breast reduction surgery, it can take up to six months for the final results to be seen. Regular follow up appointments will help you to monitor the progress of your breast reduction surgery and ensure that the incisions are healing well.
Is breast reduction surgery permanent, will the results last?
The results of breast reduction surgery are considered permanent and your breasts should remain a consistent size for years to come after the procedure but it is wise to keep in mind that a few factors could affect the results over time. Just like any part of the body, breasts can be affected by pregnancy, excessive weight loss / gain and ultimately gravity as a result of the natural aging process.
What will be discussed at my initial breast reduction consultation?
During the initial breast reduction consultation, you will be able to discuss a number of concerns and have your questions answered by a qualified consultant. In this time, you can address anything from your cosmetic goals, for example, what you ideally want your breasts to look like and whether you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. The consultant will then offer advice based on the size and shape of your breasts.
Be prepared to discuss your medical history with your consultant as this will contribute to whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. Come to the consultation with all of the relevant information regarding previous surgeries, drug allergies and any past or present medical conditions. It is also wise to be transparent about any pregnancy plans you have in the future or weight loss goals you have in mind. The consultant will then discuss with you the outcome that you can anticipate as well as any risks or potential complications involved in the procedure.
Where will my breast reduction surgery be performed?
Your breast reduction surgery will take place in one of our state of the art theatres where you will receive only the highest level of aftercare. If you live in Scotland, you can choose to have your breast reduction procedure in our London or Manchester based hospitals or in your nearest BMI Healthcare facility.
Will breast reduction surgery leave visible scars?
After a breast reduction surgery, you should expect some degree of scarring. The extent of the scarring will depend on where the incisions were made during the procedure and the type of procedure. The positioning of the scars ensures that they are hidden when you are wearing clothes and after twelve months the scarring will fade significantly. Some of the scars will be concealed along the crease of the breast but parts of the scar will remain visible.
Will I still be able to breast feed following a breast reduction?
Breastfeeding may still be an attainable goal following breast reduction surgery and all efforts will be made to preserve milk producing tissue during the procedure. However there is a level of risk that breast feeding following a breast reduction may not be achievable. Such risks and concerns will be discussed in depth by your consultant at your initial consultation.
How will my breast reduction be impacted by future weight loss / gain?
The size and shape of your breasts should remain consistent but this cannot be guaranteed should you gain or lose a significant amount of weight in the future. Excessive weight gain or weight loss may result in fluctuations in the shape and size of your breasts. This will be covered in your consultation but if you have any specific weight goals in mind or concerns surrounding pregnancy, you should discuss this prior to the procedure with your consultant.
Will reduction surgery correct my uneven breasts?
If you have one breast larger than the other, you are a good candidate for a breast reduction procedure. While it is common to have one breast that is slightly larger than the other, if there is a significant different in size, it is possible to create a more even appearance by having a breast reduction and reducing the size of the larger breast.
What is a nipple graft?
During the breast reduction procedure, a nipple graft may take place depending on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed from the breast. Once the breast is reformed in the desired size and shape, the nipple is positioned in the optimum location and grafted back into place.
Will my breast lose sensitivity following a reduction?
In some cases, symptoms can occur after breast reduction surgery including loss of nipple sensitivity. Potential side effects and recovery steps will be discussed at length during your pre-surgery consultations.
Will I be required to have additional surgery following a breast reduction?
Women who have a breast reduction surgery are usually satisfied with the appearance of their breasts and enjoy the increased comfort levels that come with smaller breasts and no further surgical procedures are required. Unlike other breast procedures where implants need to be replaced, a breast reduction or mammoplasty requires no follow up procedures to maintain the appearance. Unless you become pregnant or gain a significant amount of weight after a breast reduction, the shape and size of your breasts should remain the same.
Aftercare and Recovery
Here at Transform, we are delighted to offer excellent aftercare to all of our patients as standard and we have outlined below the stages of recovery to help you plan for your breast reduction.
Immediately following the procedure
Following the procedure, you’ll need to stay in one of our Transform Hospitals for two nights where you will receive state of the art aftercare and assistance. Your breasts will be swollen and feel tender to start with and it is completely normal to feel discomfort during the first 24-48 hours into the breast reduction recovery process. There may also be some bruising at this stage but this will vary from individual to individual. We’ll provide pain relief to help with any discomfort you may experience but you should be up and around within 48 hours.
During the first two weeks you will notice reduced swelling, bruising, pain and discomfort and during this time you will also have your stiches removed. Before you leave the hospital, we’ll talk to you about looking after yourself at home and make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to remove your stitches. We’ll also give you the number for our 24/7 patient helpline so you can speak to a member of our clinical team, day or night.
Recovery period
The recovery period will differ from person to person but your surgeon will have already talked to you about how much time to take off work and the need to wear a well-fitting, non-wired support bra to begin with. Everyone will need to take at least one week off work and in some cases two weeks may be necessary. You will need to wear a surgical bra for the first few days and this will be replaced with sports bra which you should wear at all times during the recovery period.
Getting back to normal
You may be wondering when you can resume regular gym sessions. You’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks, by which time you should have fully recovered from your breast reduction surgery. Any heavy lifting should be avoided during this period as should lifting any objects overhead. A raise in blood pressure can cause bleeding and for this reason you should only consider partaking in any form of exercise after the six-week recovery period is complete.
This is when you’ll be able to see the full results of your reduction mammoplasty. Your scars may still be quite red but will fade significantly in the coming months.
Side Effects, Risks and Complications
As with any kind of surgery, your breast reduction procedure does carry the risk of rare complications. We’ll discuss each potential risk with you prior to the procedure and we’ve included all of the details in our Breast Reduction Patient Guide which you’ll receive at your initial appointment with your Patient Care Co-ordinator. If you’ve any specific concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to your surgeon about them.