Breast Reduction

The operation will reposition and reduce the size of breasts to improve comfort and appearance.

A Breast Reduction will:

• Make your breasts smaller.
• Improve your breast shape.
• Lift them to a proper position on the chest wall.
• Raise the nipple.
• Improve your body proportions.

Most ladies who come to see me feel their breasts are too big, too far down the chest and the nipples are not in the right position. I will reposition the nipple and make the breasts smaller so they will end up in a much better position on the chest wall. Occasionally the problem is not that the breasts are too big, but that they are too saggy. If that is the problem then less breast tissue is removed and the skin is tightened more, this is more of a mastopexy operation.

The operation may relieve the following symptoms:

• Backache
• Neck ache
• Shoulder pain, and bra strap discomfort.
• Inflammation under the breasts.

Backache is a common complaint, often associated with neck ache and shoulder pain. This can be postural as the patient holds themselves hunched over to prevent rather large breasts from sticking out and looking more prominent. Once the breasts are a better size the patient stands up straight and the backache settles down.

Big breasts can result in an inflammation under the breast which is often worse in summertime, called intertrigo. Once the heavy breasts are reduced and this fold is not so prominent, the condition often settles and disappears.

Body image will be changed:

• Smaller breasts will attract less attention.
• More attractive clothing can be worn with comfort.
• More attractive lingerie can be worn.
• It will be easier and more comfortable to exercise

Ladies often complain to me that they cannot get clothes to fit because their breasts are out of proportion to the rest of the body and they are forced to wear large unattractive bras to hold up the weight. After the operation clothes should be much easier to fit and there is the prospect of buying new and attractive feminine lingerie.

Exercise, that was either impossible or very uncomfortable, will be possible. Furthermore, overall well being and your figure as a whole will improve once you can do exercise!

Even sleeping may be easier without the weight and bulk of the large breasts to contend with.

The recovery from a breast reduction:

• You will be up and about and showering in Hospital.
• You should be driving between five days to a week
• You could be doing light exercise at five days and heavy exercise at three weeks.
• You should be able to return to light work duties by ten days to two weeks.

You will be encouraged to get up the day after operation, by the time you go home you will be able to shower and get around comfortably. I will ask that you take it easy for the first few days, no shopping and heavy bag carrying or vacuuming the house, but you will be able to go for short walks, etc. Depending on the type of work you do, work should start at about two weeks. I can discuss all this in more detail when I see you in clinic.