Breast Reduction Surgery

It is important that before you see the surgeon, you consider what you are trying to achieve from your surgery. In particular, consider what size you would like to be.

While most patients are happy with their choice of breast reduction surgery, it is important to understand that every woman has a different anatomy and the “perfect” breasts you are imagining may not be realistic on your frame. There are limitations as to how much breast tissue can be removed without increasing the risk of complications. After the surgery, your breasts will not only be smaller, they may also be a different shape, and in a different position on your chest.

And there is also the scarring to consider, although in most cases, scars heal and fade into fine lines, sometimes, this is not the case and you may develop keloid (raised) or hypertrophic (wide) scarring. If your body has a tendency to develop such scarring, then it is inevitable regardless of the skill of your surgeon or what aftercare measures are in place to reduce the risk of scarring. Some skin types are more prone to developing this type of scarring than others, and this can be assessed during your consultation, especially if you have had any previous surgery.

Before you decide on getting breast reduction, it is really important to consider what is it that you want to achieve, the pros and cons, and discuss your expectations with your surgeon to get a clear picture of how your breasts will change.

Unrealistic expectations will lead to disappointment, even if a surgery is extremely successful.

The choice of incision pattern and technique mainly depend on the extent of the reduction. Sometimes with small breast reductions in patients with mainly fatty breast tissue, minimal excess skin and good skin elasticity, liposuction may be employed. Clearly, this avoids any of the significant scarring associated with breast reduction. Your suitability for this highly specialised new technique can only be fully assessed at your consultation.However, if you need to remove loose skin and glandular tissue, then a lollipop incision is required, which leaves a scar around areola and a vertical scar from the areola to the inframammary fold (breast crease).

For more extensive reductions, the inverted T pattern also known as the anchor or Wise pattern, is used. This has same two incisions as in the lollipop and an additional scar that runs along the inframammary fold.

However, there is an alternative suitable for some younger women, only requiring a moderate reduction in breast size. That is to remove the fatty tissue of the breasts via a modification of the liposculpture technique.

At your consultation For Breast Reduction in London, Mr Rezai will discuss your options you.

• The operation is performed under general anaesthetic
• It takes between 2-3 hours depending on the extent of the reduction
• Patients stay in hospital for one night
• If your work is not physical, expect to return to work after 10 – 14 Days.
• Expect to be back to normal physical activity, including exercise and sports, within 6-8 weeks post-op

Recovery after Breast Reduction is very individual and depends on the extent of the reduction. Many can return to work and resume their normal daily routine within 10-14 days post-op. However, strenuous activities, exercising, and heavy lifting should not be resumed until 6-8 weeks post-op, after you have the all clear from your surgeon.

As with all scars, the scars will fade over a period of time. In many women, they heal to form faint lines. However, it is important to remember that no surgical scar ever totally disappears.

Most women consider the scarring of breast reduction to be a more than acceptable trade-off for the significant advantages of not having their large heavy breasts.

Cosmetic surgery is amongst the very safest of medical procedures. However, all patients must understand and accept that no surgical procedure is absolutely free from risk. In particular, it is important for women requesting breast reduction to understand that very few women are able to breast feed following the surgery, as the milk ducts are separated from the breast tissue during the operation. In addition, there is a risk that the blood supply to the nipple may be compromised during the surgery. This means that the nipple may not survive. In any event, nipple sensation is frequently reduced post-operatively.

For further information concerning the risks and complications associated with Breast Reduction, please refer to Risks and Complications of Breast Reduction.

At Consultation in London, Mr Rezai will discuss these risks with you.

In terms of outcome, it takes time for the breasts to settle into their final shape and position. The tissue needs time to recover and settle after surgery, your body needs time to heal but week by week you’ll start noticing positive changes, and the final result will become obvious in six to twelve months. If you do not have any problems with scarring, your incisions should fade into fine lines after one year.

Depending on what stage in your life you have the breast reduction surgery, further surgery may be needed at some point in the future, especially if you have breast reduction in your 20s or before completing your family. Breast size and shape can and most likely will change with pregnancy, breastfeeding or significant weight fluctuations. And sometimes even hormonal changes can cause significantly increase the breast size.

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