As with any surgery, good breast reduction candidates should be in good physical health and should wait until their breasts are fully developed before undergoing this procedure. Breast reduction also isn’t recommended for women who intend to breastfeed. 

Breast reduction surgery involves the removal of excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin from around the breast. We typically perform this process under general anesthesia, and surgery can take anywhere between 2-4 hours depending on the extent of the reduction. 

Breast reduction is generally reserved for patients with very large breasts who want them to be smaller.

Instead of breast reduction, patients with smaller breasts usually opt for a very similar procedure called a breast lift. This procedure mostly removes skin and lifts the breasts so they look perkier and sit higher on the chest without reducing their size very much.

If you have small or average size breasts for your frame and want them to be smaller, ask your surgeon for their opinion. They will be able to create a procedure plan for you that gets you results you want no matter what the procedure is called.

It is recommended that patients wait at least 3 to 6 months after pregnancy before having a breast reduction. This is to allow enough time for your breasts to settle before you have your procedure.

If you are considering breastfeeding, you will need to wait until you have stopped breastfeeding and have stopped producing milk for at least three months before moving forward with the breast reduction surgery.

Patients may also want to consider the post-op restrictions they will have in terms of lifting and carrying infants. It’s important to discuss your day to day with your surgeon in the consultation so you’re able to understand what you can and can’t do.

But the important thing after surgery is that you should not get pregnant for some time after the operation. Some slimming surgeons recommend that the body be allowed to fully recover and get used to the new conditions before becoming pregnant. It is recommended to do this from 12 to 18 months after weight loss surgery.

While there are some breast reduction pills and creams that claim to aid in breast reduction, there is limited to no existing research that suggests they actually work to reduce the size of the breasts. Some patients do have success reducing the size of their breasts by losing weight, however weight loss alone does not change the look of the breasts and can make the breasts look more saggy and lacking volume.

Breast reduction surgery is long-lasting and also lifts the breasts so they look perky and full.

The answer is yes. The breast tissue and the skin are removed and the nipple and the areola are raised to a higher location. The lift is a part of the breast reduction procedure.

T-incision is the best way to give a woman an attractive shape that is round and elevated to a youthful position.

Yes. Our patients maintain sensation around their nipple. There can be some intermittent loss of sensation for a few weeks but, after that, it should return.

The surgery will take approximately four hours and the recovery time is one to two weeks. No heavy lifting for four weeks. Return to exercise after about four to six weeks.

Breast surgery is typically safe, though all surgeries carry some risks that are worth being aware of. The complications that most commonly occur with breast reductions include –

• Infection
• Loss of nipple sensation
• Obvious scarring

A surgical bra will be placed over gauze dressings initially after surgery to minimize the risks of infection. Bandages will be removed around two days after surgery; you’ll be expected to wear your surgical bra for several weeks. Some pain and soreness are expected up to three days after the procedure, while visible swelling may take longer to subside.

As with pregnancy, you should wait at least 3 to 6 months after you have stopped breastfeeding before you have your breast reduction procedure.

Cup sizes are difficult to use when estimating breast reduction because there is no standard to this measurement. Most surgeons can reduce breasts significantly during surgery without sacrificing shape for the breasts. The exact amount depends on your frame, breast shape and chest size.

It’s also good to keep in mind that while the extent of your breast reduction is up to you, your surgeon cannot guarantee a specific cup size with breast reduction surgery. You should discuss your ideal size with your surgeon. Based on this information, they will suggest a surgery plan that gives you the type of results you want.

Breast reduction surgery is not a type of weight loss surgery. While some weight is removed from the breasts, other areas of fat on the stomach and back remain untouched during the procedure.

Liposuction can be done in addition to breast reduction to reduce the look of unwanted areas of fat. Keep in mind that this will increase the price of the total procedure and increase the recovery time.

Some breast reduction patients do report that it is much easier to exercise after healing from breast reduction. The increased range of motion and mobility related to smaller breasts encourages many patients to get active and lose weight by eating healthfully and exercising regularly.

Many patients seek breast reduction surgery because they suffer from neck, shoulder and back pain related to the size of their breasts.

While it is not guaranteed to improve pain caused by large breasts, many patients report a reduction of their upper-body pain quickly after having breast reduction surgery.

Most surgeons are happy to see patients for an initial consultation for your breast reduction without a Doctor’s referral. Generally speaking, most plastic surgeons will not require a GP referral. Your surgeon may, however, contact your GP to get details of your medical history.

Yes, all jewelry and body jewelry for piercings must usually be removed before breast reduction surgery. This is especially true for any jewelry in the nipples or implanted sub dermally on the breast or chest area.

It is important to remove jewelry before surgery because it can get caught in important tubing, cause malfunctions in equipment, or generally cause an issue for your care team. While it is a small hassle for you, removing body jewelry makes it easier for your surgeon and nurses to do their jobs safely. In some cases, piercings can be safely refitted directly after surgery with either a plastic or silicone piercing retainer or your regular jewelry.

Always ask your surgeon or their nursing staff for their recommendations regarding pre-op grooming. Generally, hair extensions do not need to be removed for breast reduction surgery.

Eyelash extensions are also usually not a problem during breast reduction surgery, but your surgeon and anesthetist have the final say. Definitely ask them during your consultation or preoperative assessment to find out if they must be removed before surgery.

If you have gel or acrylic nail extensions, you may need to remove the product from one nail to allow a pulse oximeter over your finger. This small device slides over your fingertip and painlessly measures your pulse as well as the oxygen level of your blood during surgery by measuring how light travels through your finger.

This device is very important for anesthetist as they monitor you during surgery. Any product on the natural nail (including gel, acrylic, or nail polish) can get in the way of accurate readings. However, some pulse monitors can also be fitted to the earlobe, so it is always best to find out the type of monitors the hospital uses during surgery.

Reach out to your Patient Care Adviser if you want clarification on your surgeon’s recommendation regarding hair and nail extensions before surgery.