A breast reduction is an excellent procedure to address both the functional and aesthetic concerns you may have about being large (and heavy) breasted. It combines a volume reduction with a breast lift, leaving scars around the areola, down towards the breast crease, with an additional scar in the breast crease sometimes needed.
Surgery to reduce breasts takes place in hospital with you asleep. When you wake up, you will normally be wearing your post-surgical bra, with special surgical tapes on the wounds.
The benefits of a breast reduction are not only aesthetic, but also functional, due to the reduction in weight and strain on the neck, back and shoulders. At the same time, a breast lift is provided achieving better breast aesthetics and proportions.
Anaesthetic
General
Procedure Length
2 hour
Facility Stay
Day Case
Cost
From £9,120
Downtime
Light exercise can resume after 4-6 weeks
Available in-house at Purity Bridge
Yes
Anaesthetic
General
Procedure Length
2 hour
Facility Stay
Day Case
Cost
From £9,120
Downtime
Light exercise can resume after 4-6 weeks
Available in-house at Purity Bridge
Yes
Breast reduction surgery usually takes between two and four hours, depending on the amount of tissue being removed and the complexity of the procedure.
Many women choose breast reduction not only for cosmetic reasons but also to improve comfort and quality of life. Large breasts are heavy and can impact greatly on posture, back and shoulders, exercise and clothing fit.
Most patients take around two weeks away from work to recover.
Initial swelling and bruising are common and gradually improve over the following weeks. Full healing continues over several months.
Light activities can generally be resumed within a few days. More demanding exercise and lifting should be avoided until your surgeon advises it is safe.
Your aftercare programme will be tailored to support a smooth recovery.
Potential risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, scarring, wound healing problems and changes in nipple sensation.
These risks are uncommon but will be discussed fully during your consultation.
Breast reduction may be suitable if large breasts are causing physical symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, shoulder discomfort or skin irritation.
Many patients also seek surgery because they feel self-conscious about breast size or find clothing difficult to fit comfortably.
Many patients report significant improvement in symptoms such as back pain, neck pain and shoulder discomfort following surgery.
While individual outcomes vary, reducing breast weight can often improve physical comfort and mobility.
Some women can successfully breastfeed after breast reduction surgery, although there is no guarantee.
If future breastfeeding is important to you, this should be discussed during your consultation so it can be considered during treatment planning.
All breast reduction procedures involve some degree of scarring. However, scars are positioned carefully and usually fade significantly with time.
Your surgeon will explain the expected scar pattern and provide advice on scar care during recovery.
