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Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is a very common procedure and is probably one of the most gratifying and satisfying operations. Breast reduction can restore proportion to your body. The improvement in the physical appearance and the commonly associated difficulties with large breasts gives you a better quality of life and increases your confidence. Breast reduction is also used to correct asymmetry of the breast, where one breast is larger than the other.

Back pain, neck pain, grooves in the shoulders from bra straps, rashes under the breasts and bad posture are all common symptoms caused by large breasts. Most importantly it can affect your self-confidence and cause embarrassment or shyness. Your clothing choices can be limited and your activities as in swimming and playing sports can be restricted, especially in the summer months.

What is Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction involves removing fat, breast tissue and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter and firmer. It also lifts and reduces the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. This creates a more attractive and youthful looking breast.

The Surgery

Breast reduction involves a scar that ranges from just being around the nipple with or without a vertical scar extending to underneath the breast, to an anchor-shaped incision (inverted T-shaped scar) that circles the areola, extends downward, and approximately follows the natural crease beneath the breast. The type of breast reduction scar is best discussed during the consultation. The scars tend to settle well. The breast reduction surgery is done under a general anaesthetic (you will be asleep). It usually involves 1-2 nights in hospital and the drains are removed before leaving.

 

Recovery

Following breast reduction surgery you will have a dressing that is best kept dry. A sports bra is best worn before leaving the hospital, 24 hours per day for 6 weeks. Patients best take at least 2 weeks off work. The stitches are usually dissolvable and do not require to be removed. It is advisable to refrain from any strenuous work or physical exercise for approximately 6 weeks. Under-wired bras are best avoided for approximately 6 months.

Potential Risks

Every surgical procedure carries a certain amount of risk, and it is important that you understand the risks involved with breast reduction.

The most obvious consequences are the scars. They are designed to be invisible whilst wearing normal clothing and as far as possible are designed to lie under the average bra or bikini top. Occasionally the skin can become sloughy and slow to heal particularly at the apex of the T-junction of the scar and in very rare circumstances may require a skin graft to help healing. Over the months following breast reduction surgery the scars will improve. In some they may be very thin, in others they may stretch and become quite red and lumpy. In the vast majority of women, however, the scars are acceptable and a small trade off for the benefit of dealing with the problems of large breasts.

A certain degree of asymmetry is to be expected. Most women have slightly asymmetrical breasts before their surgery, and a small deviation in size or appearance must be regarded as normal.

When reducing large breasts, folds of skin (dog ears) at either end of the scar may occur. This can simply be improved on few months later.

Sometimes fat necrosis can occur, when the blood supply of the fat cells in the breast is disturbed. This may present as discharge from the breast or lumpiness in the breast. The ability to breast-feed can be affected. The nipple sensation is also likely to be altered, which could be temporary or permanent. In the unlikelihood that the circulation to the nipple is disturbed, there is the risk of nipple loss. This may require skin graft to aid healing.

Bleeding, infection, wound break down, excessive scarring, blood clots in leg veins and/or lung and further revisional surgery are general risks that can follow any operation.

There is no evidence that breast reduction causes breast cancer. Nor does it prevent your breast from being examined for cancer in the usual way.

 

Before	After

 

The information provided gives you a basic understanding of the breast reduction procedure but it may not answer all your questions, a lot depends on your individual circumstances. This website provides guidance and is not intended to be a substitute for a surgical consultation with Mr Fahmy in Shropshire, Chester, Cheshire or Wrexham, North Wales and Mid Wales.

For any enquiries, you can email Professor Fahmy on info@cosmeticplastic.co.uk. Your consultation will be directly with Professor Fahmy and the treatment will be performed by himself at the hospital of your choice either Pulford Medical Centre, Chester (Cheshire) or Spire Yale Hospital, Abergele & Wrexham (Wales). It is always advisable to bring a friend or a relative during your consultation, as it may further assist you in any questions you may have.

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