Information about the procedure
Reducing and lifting the breasts to relieve physical symptoms and achieve a proportionate shape.
On this page
What it involves
Breast reduction removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, while lifting the breast and nipple into a natural position. Unlike most aesthetic operations, it also resolves specific physical problems.
Women with very large breasts often live with neck and lower back pain, grooves in the shoulders from bra straps, rashes under the breasts, and limitations in sport and clothing. Breast reduction has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any operation precisely because it resolves these everyday problems.
Types and approaches
Vertical technique
The scar extends around the areola and vertically down to the inframammary fold. Suitable for moderate reduction, providing good projection and a shorter scar than the inverted-T technique.
Inverted-T technique
A horizontal scar in the inframammary fold is added to the vertical one. This technique is used for larger reductions and marked excess skin. The scar is longer, but control over the shape is best.
Reduction by liposuction
In breasts made up mainly of fat, with good skin elasticity, some of the volume can be reduced by liposuction with minimal scarring. It does not lift the breast and is suitable only in a limited number of cases.
Who it is suitable for
Suitable for
- Neck, shoulder and lower back pain related to breast size
- Grooves from bra straps
- Rashes and skin irritation in the inframammary fold
- Limitations in sport and difficulty finding clothes that fit
- Marked asymmetry between the breasts
- Stable weight over recent months
Not suitable, or postponed, in cases of
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding planned in the near future
- Current smoking — significantly increases the risk of poor wound healing and tissue loss
- An unexplained finding in the breast before surgery
- Poorly controlled diabetes or blood clotting disorders
- Expecting no scars — breast reduction always leaves visible scars
Preparation
- Mammography or breast ultrasound, depending on age — required before surgery
- Pre-operative tests and a consultation with a cardiologist or an anaesthetist
- Stopping smoking at least four weeks before surgery — this is particularly important for this operation
- Stabilising your weight if you are planning significant weight loss
- Help at home arranged for the first week
How it is performed
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes three to four hours. The hospital stay is one to two nights.
The removed tissue is sent for histological examination — standard practice that occasionally reveals previously unknown findings.
The nipple remains attached to the breast. It stays connected to the underlying tissue and its blood vessels and moves upwards with them. In exceptionally large reductions, a free nipple graft may be necessary, resulting in loss of sensation.
Recovery
- The first 48 hoursDiscomfort, swelling and a feeling of heaviness. Drains are sometimes used and are removed before discharge.
- The first weekSleep on your back with your upper body raised. Wear the support bra day and night. Most patients notice relief in the neck and shoulders from the very first days.
- 2–4 weeksReturn to office work after 10–14 days. The scars are red and raised — a normal stage of healing.
- 1–3 monthsThe shape settles and the swelling subsides. Scar care with silicone products begins.
- 6–18 monthsThe scars fade and shrink. Their final appearance can be judged no earlier than one year after surgery.
Pain and discomfort
Breast reduction is better tolerated than most patients expect. Discomfort is moderate and well controlled with painkillers during the first few days. Many women say the relief in the neck and back is felt immediately and outweighs the discomfort of surgery.
Risks and complications
Every intervention carries risks. Listing them does not mean they are expected to occur — it allows you to make an informed decision.
- Visible scars — unavoidable, and their character varies from person to person
- Delayed wound healing, most often where the scars meet
- Change in or loss of nipple sensation
- Difficulty breastfeeding, or inability to breastfeed, in the future
- Asymmetry in shape, volume or nipple position
- Partial or complete tissue loss due to poor blood supply — rare, but more common in smokers
- Haematoma, infection, fat necrosis
Results and longevity
The result is long-lasting, but the breasts continue to respond to changes in weight, pregnancy and age. Significant weight gain or loss will change their shape.
The lift holds better when enough tissue has been removed and the skin is not under excessive strain.
Scars are the price of this operation. Most patients accept them readily, because the problem solved outweighs the marks left behind.