Breast reduction surgery is necessary when the volume of a patient's breasts is too large in proportion to the rest of the body. This condition may lead to a number of physical and psychological problems.
Procedure
During a breast reduction procedure, part of the breast tissue is removed and the breast is reduced to the desired shape and size.
The surgeon then tightens the skin and repositions the nipple. The scar is in the shape of a reversed T, the horizontal section
(in the crease below the breast) being as short as possible. The technique ensures firm breasts but does involve a relatively large scar that, in the best of cases,
becomes just a thin, white and barely visible line.
In cases of toned skin (young girls in particular) and breasts that are not overly large, a single scar is sufficient around the areola that can extend vertically to under the breast. Breast reduction is almost always carried out in conjunction with a breast uplift.
Breast reduction is carried out under general sedation.
Length of time
The length of time for a breast reduction depends on the complexity and scale of the operation. In most cases, breast reduction procedures take an average of two to three hours.
Your Stay
Breast reduction requires two nights stay at the hospital.
Post-op
After a breast reduction, the breasts are bandaged in the shape of a bra. This stays in place for four days. Then, a real support bra is worn for a month. For a few days, patients may experience some pulling or even pain when lifting their arms.
Occasionally the nipples may be a little numb immediately after surgery; however in the long-term the nipples and breasts suffer no loss of sensation and, in most cases, breast-feeding is possible after a breast reduction.
We recommend that you avoid pregnancy in the first year following surgery.
Resuming Daily Activities
We recommend that patients resume their daily and professional activities about one to two weeks following surgery.
During the first days after a breast reductionpatients will need to rest well. Do not hesitate to accept help with household chores
(even vacuum cleaning should be avoided during the first week). We advise to take things very easy and not lift anything heavy.
One will also sleep more comfortably on their back or side. Do avoid sunbathing and in the first year, if one wishes to sunbathe topless,
make sure that high factor sun protection is applied to the scars.
You may start fitness and exercising after two months.
Results
The results of a breast reduction are immediately visible, even though the final results are fully apparent approximately one year after surgery.
We recommend that the surgery be performed as early as possible in order to minimize scarring. Scar development is always difficult to predict.
Scars change from red and swollen during the first few days to become white and thin at the end of the first month, and eventually they fade but never entirely disappear.
After a breast reduction, the breasts will recover their natural curves enabling one to wear the clothes that previously they could only dream of wearing.
With breasts that are much more in proportion to the rest of your body, patients will experience a tremendous sense of relief from a new, smaller cup size, feeling so much lighter and freer. Patients will have a greatly improved self-image and much more self-confidence.
Costs
The price of breast reduction ranges between £2,870 and £3,800.
PATIENT STORIES
Many ELYZEA patients have already had
the procedure that you are considering.
