Medically Reviewed May 2022, by Mr Sankar - Chief Medical Officer for The Harley Medical Group
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast Reduction Surgery, also known as Reduction Mammaplasty, is a procedure to reduce the size of the breasts by removing excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue to ease the discomfort of having over-sized breasts.
Why Breast Reduction Surgery May Be Right for You?
There are many reasons why people choose to have Breast Reduction surgery:
- Having heavy and pendulous breasts can cause mild discomfort
- If breasts are larger than normal, they can cause a great deal of distress and discomfort due to the extra weight.
- Backache is usually experienced from having to support the extra weight. Breast pain is also common.
- Difficulty buying clothes due to chest disproportion
- Difficulty in purchasing underwear which fits comfortably
- Inability to wear strappy tops and not having the choice to go without a bra
- Desire to change your appearance to improve comfort and confidence in clothing and swimwear.
- Large breasts may be inhibiting your ability to take part in physical sports
If you feel that your breasts are overly large and not in proportion with the rest of your body, you are not alone. Hundreds of women visit our clinics with the same problem, and many opt for Breast Reduction Surgery with one our highly trained and experienced cosmetic surgeons.
We understand that having overly large breasts can affect self-confidence but also cause physical discomfort in the form of back and neck pain and can make it difficult to find clothes and swimwear to fit properly and look as you’d like them to.
Breast Reduction surgery is a procedure that can have a profoundly positive effect on self-esteem, can increase the ability to move freely and exercise, and can ensure you feel comfortable with how your body looks. Many of our Breast Reduction patients say having the surgery has changed their life.
How Breast Reduction Surgery Works?
Breast Reduction Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, and involves removing excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin from your breasts, reshaping the remaining breast tissue, and repositioning your nipples. The operation will normally take between 2 and 3 hours.
Who Will Carry Out Your Breast Reduction?
From your very first Breast Reduction free consultation with one of our Patient Advisors, you will have a committed nursing team to talk you through the breast surgery and to provide all the support you need. All our medically led team of expert Surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Cosmetic Surgery Nurses are NMC registered. Patient care is our number one priority, and that is why we insist on a minimum of two pre-surgery consultations, a full assessment of your current health and medical history, and ongoing post-operative care.
We are a trusted cosmetic surgery provider and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care.
Our Hospitals
At Harley Medical Group, we provide the highest level of patient care at both our clinics and hospitals. We are members of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). All our hospitals have medically led teams of expert Surgeons, with years of experience, and all are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Our hospitals are trusted breast reduction providers and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care. Our hospitals include:
Your Breast Reduction Surgery Consultation
Preparing for your boob reduction is important. You will have your breast reduction surgery with a consultation meeting with your surgeon. During this appointment you will discuss:
- Your reason for wanting a Breast Reduction
- The changes you are wanting to make to your breasts
- The results you would like to achieve
- Which lifestyle changes will need to be made prior to surgery including smoking and the taking of certain medications.
You will also need to purchase a sports bra to take with you to the hospital. The size of the bra will be determined at your consultation with your Cosmetic Surgeon.
If you are a smoker, take aspirin or any other medication, your Cosmetic Surgeon will wish to discuss this with you at your consultation. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will advise you when you are to discontinue these activities.
The Day of Your Breast Reduction Surgery
It’s normal to feel nervous before your breast reduction surgery, but a good night’s sleep is important. On the day of your breast surgery, your Cosmetic Surgeon will visit you in your room and mark your breasts in preparation for surgery and will be there to answer any last-minute questions you may have.
When you wake up from the anaesthetic you will have dressings and your supportive bra in place. You will be offered pain relief should you require it, and there may be drainage tubes in place in each breast. These drains will be removed before your discharge from hospital. You can expect to be in hospital for one or two days. This will be agreed with your Surgeon prior to your admission.
What Happens After Your Breast Reduction?
Your Cosmetic Surgeon will advise how much time you will require off work (this will be approximately between two to four weeks depending on your occupation), how long you will need to wear your post-surgery bra for and when you will be able to resume normal activities.
You will need someone to support your aftercare with tasks such as shopping, household duties and childcare initially. Please be aware that you will feel tired for the first few weeks following your Breast Reduction surgery.
It is important to keep the incisions and breasts dry during the early days post-op and leave all the dressings intact until you return to the clinic at approximately seven days after surgery. It’s advised not to wear an underwired bra until you have discussed this with your Surgeon.
It is very important that you attend all follow up post-surgery appointment which will be made for you. During this appointment we will care for your wound and you will see your Cosmetic Nurse post-operatively to make sure that you are healing well.
You will have your own personal Nurse Counsellor both before and after your procedure to support you and answer any questions you may have. To achieve best results, aftercare is extremely important.
Breast Reduction Before and Aftercare Explained
Following your boob reduction surgery, your new breasts will require a good amount of support in the months following the procedure. You will be required to wear a post-surgery bra or sports bra for up to three months during the day and at night. You will be able to shower or bath as normal a few days after the surgery, simply by removing your bra just before and putting it on again immediately afterwards. It is advised that you take at least one week off work to give your breasts proper time to recover. Your surgeon will advise you on how soon you can resume normal daily activities and exercise.
Breast Reduction Surgery Cost
Breast Reduction Surgery costs vary depending on the patient’s requirements. Our Boob reduction prices generally start from £7,995 which is inclusive of your overnight stay in hospital and all necessary aftercare.
| Surgery | Price From |
|---|---|
| Breast Reduction | £7,995 |
We always endeavour to be completely transparent with you at every stage of your journey with us which is why all prices quoted are complete and include all pre-operative tests, post-surgery garment and all post-operative care. There are no hidden extra costs.
Breast Reduction Finance Options
We understand finance availability can sometimes be a barrier to undergoing a Cosmetic Surgery procedure, with manageable payments, we can provide a feasible solution to suits your needs. We have a range of Breast Reduction finance options available to help you pay for your procedure, ask at your consultation and your advisor will be happy to take you through these.
Please contact one of our Client Service Advisors or call 0800 288 4110 or discuss your financial options with one of our nurses during your consultation at your local clinic.
0% finance* available.
*0% Finance available, subject to status and terms and conditions apply.
LCHMG Limited trading as Harley Medical is an Appointed Representative of Lasercare Clinics (Harrogate) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to carry out the regulated activity of credit broking.