Many of our patients who come to us for breast reduction surgery have been considering it for a significant period. If you are early on in your research on breast reduction and are keen to know about all the key aspects of the procedure, we thought it would be helpful to put together a comprehensive guide on all aspects of breast reduction surgery at Centre for Surgery in London.
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The ideal candidate for breast reduction
As with all types of cosmetic surgery procedures, it’s essential to make sure that you fulfil the treatment criteria for breast reduction surgery to get the best possible results with minimal risks.
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- Having very large breasts has resulted in significant pain and discomfort for an extended period, including both back pain and neck pain.
- The weight of the breasts often leads to excessive pressure on the shoulders from tight bra straps, which may develop early on in the day and get worse as the day progresses.
- Women often have great difficulty in selecting clothes that fit them correctly and often have to seek specialist suppliers of bras, which can be a nuisance.
- Many women find their daily activities restricted, including the ability to engage in certain types of exercise, such as cardiovascular exercise.
Ideal candidates for breast reduction have breasts that are mature and well developed and patients have excellent knowledge and understanding of what the surgery involves. All patients should have realistic expectations for the results of the breast reduction procedure.
Preparing for your consultation
When choosing whether or not to undergo a breast reduction procedure, patients will often carry out a lot of research online to learn about as many aspects of the procedure as they can. Others usually prefer to wait for their consultation to build a clear picture of the procedure. In some cases, doing too much research can lead to patients receiving inaccurate medical information, which can affect the quality of the subsequent consultation, as the surgeon often has to spend time dispelling many of the myths surrounding the procedure.
However, in most cases, conducting research before the consultation helps to improve the quality of the consultation and allows asking the pertinent questions that are important to you. Our surgeons often say that there is no right or wrong way to plan for the consultation.
Some valuable tips that you may find helpful before your consultation:
- Patients should bear in mind that at least one week should be taken off from work or strenuous activities after breast reduction surgery, and it is never a bad idea to begin planning for this as early as possible
- For women with younger children, it may be helpful to have some home help with childcare, as lifting them will be restricted for 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure.
- Breast reduction surgery involves a general anaesthetic during which you will be fully asleep and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. When you are woken up from the anaesthetic, your anaesthetist will keep a close eye on you until you fully recover from the effects of the anaesthetic.
- Many patients will have a particular target size in mind, and it can be beneficial for the surgeon to get an idea of your goals for treatment. However, we would always emphasise that it is not advisable to be too fixated on a particular size. The most crucial aspect is tailoring the surgical procedure to your anatomy to ensure the breasts are reduced in weight and optimally shaped.
- Our surgeons are trained in all types of breast reduction surgery, including vertical scar breast reduction, which involves incisions positioned around the areola and vertically downwards to the inferior breast fold but without the horizontal incision component, also known as the anchor breast lift.
The breast reduction consultation
You will have your breast reduction consultation at our state-of-the-art Baker Street facility in the heart of London. The consultation serves as a foundation of effective treatment planning. It will allow you to ask any questions you may have thought of and allow the surgeon to conduct a full clinical assessment. This involves taking a medical history and performing a thorough physical examination to determine what can be achieved with a breast reduction.
Many patients will have a clear idea by the end of the first consultation that breast reduction is right for them. Other patients may need more time to reflect on and consider further aspects of the procedure, and perhaps to talk to people who have undergone it. Our patient coordinators may be able to put you in touch with past patients who have undergone the procedure to give you a clear idea of what it could achieve. Coming back for a second consultation often helps to build up a complete understanding of the treatment. Also, it allows you to ask any follow-up questions you may have forgotten during the first consultation. Either way, our plastic surgeons are more than happy to see you again to ensure you are as well-prepared as possible for the procedure.
Consultations last 30 to 45 minutes, and you’ll see your dedicated patient coordinator. After the consultation, you can ask any further questions you may have about any aspect of the breast reduction procedures, including financial options for treatment.
Preparing for breast reduction surgery
Once you have been booked in for breast reduction, our expert preoperative nursing team will be in contact to provide you with full details of the procedure with an information pack. It is essential to read these instructions carefully to ensure you understand the procedure. When you come on the day of your procedure, you will require a responsible adult escort to collect you once the procedure is complete and you are fully recovered and to look after you for at least the first 24 to 48 hours. It would be a good idea to share the pre- and postoperative instructions with your carer so everyone is thoroughly familiar with them. Don’t worry if you are unsure about anything. Our expert nursing team can review an area in detail on the day of your procedure or at any time beforehand.
You will also need to come in for a face-to-face preoperative assessment with one of our nurses after you consult with the surgeon. This assessment is designed to make sure you are medically fit for the breast reduction procedure. In some cases, you may be required to undergo blood tests to rule out any medical conditions, including anaemia. You may be asked to stop certain medications, including aspirin, as this may increase the risk of bleeding during or after the procedure. You will also be given a prescription for antibiotics and painkillers to collect in advance of your procedure. It’s a good idea to discuss how to take the medicines with your carer, as you may be too tired after waking up from the anaesthetic to know which medicines to take and when.
On the day of your breast reduction surgery
We cannot emphasise enough that it is entirely normal to feel very nervous before your breast reduction procedure. Always remember that you can contact your dedicated patient coordinator, who will be your point of contact throughout your journey with us from start to finish. We recommend wearing loose, dark-coloured clothing that can be buttoned up from the front. A warm coat could also be helpful, as you may feel slightly cold after the procedure due to the anaesthetic. You must remove any makeup, nail polish, and any jewellery, including piercings. When you arrive at the centre, you’ll be taken downstairs to the day ward by one of our admission nurses, who will change you into patient clothing. It’s a good idea to bring a book or a tablet as it can take a period before you are taken through your procedure.
Your nurse will take vital signs and check your fasting status and other key aspects as part of your admission. The anaesthetist will then see you, who will perform a medical assessment and insert an intravenous cannula into the back of your hand. Finally, your surgeon will see you and will mark the areas to operate on with a marker pen. Once everything is ready, you will be walked through to the operating room, and your anaesthetist will then start the process of putting you to sleep. Once you wake up from the anaesthetic, you may feel drowsy or dizzy, but this will settle down rapidly within 15 to 20 minutes. It is unusual to feel any significant discomfort after surgery, as your surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic into the operation area. Once you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic, you will be discharged by our team and put into the care of your responsible adult escort. A pack of sterile dressings will be given in case the original wound dressings become wet.
The first day after breast reduction
You will be reviewed by a member of our post-operative nursing team over the telephone the next day. In many cases, you may be asked to come in person to the clinic, especially if you are from out of town. You must not drive yourself to the appointment. The nurse will examine you to ensure everything is healing as intended, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the early postoperative period and what to expect.
You may notice mild to moderate pain or discomfort in the first 2 to 3 days after surgery. This is mainly due to increased post-operative swelling, which is common at this stage. Any pain or discomfort can usually be well controlled with the prescription painkillers provided to you. Suppose there is any significant swelling affecting one breast more than another. In that case, you must urgently get in touch with our post-operative team, who may call you in to be examined to rule out a post-operative haematoma. Women will heal at different rates following the surgery, as people heal differently, and this can be due to several medical factors, including diabetes or smoking. Your post-operative nurses are available by phone and in person at any time after your procedure.
The first week after breast reduction
The first week is when you should take it very easy to ensure your healing progresses as smoothly as possible. Patients who take time to rest may find they heal more quickly and achieve better results. It’s a good idea to stay mobile, move around the house from time to time, and stay well hydrated to minimise the risk of DVT. We would avoid strenuous activity during this period to minimise post-operative swelling, which may delay healing. The surgical bra placed at the time of surgery can now be removed and replaced with a soft support bra similar to a sports bra. It is essential to wear this continuously for the first four weeks to facilitate proper healing.
The first month after breast reduction
You will continue to have face-to-face post-operative checkups with our amazing post-operative nursing team. Our nursing team act as a point of contact to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your recovery after breast reduction. They will also take care of your incisions as best as possible. If you have any problems, it is always wise to get in contact, however minor you feel your concern may be. A 24-hour number is available for the first 24 hours after surgery if you have any immediate concerns about your healing.
You will be seen one week after your procedure, when your dressings will be removed and your incisions will be inspected. If you have had drains placed, these are usually removed 3 to 4 days after the surgery. At the two-week mark, it is an excellent idea to begin gentle exercises focusing on walking and to avoid high-impact activities such as running, rowing, or lifting weights. After four weeks, you may be allowed to resume certain activities; however, it is always important to go slowly and never do too much too soon. If you feel any significant pain or discomfort, this is probably a sign not to overdo it, and it is always important to listen to your body.
First year after breast reduction
So you finally reached one year after having a breast reduction procedure. Well done! You can look forward to a significant improvement in the size and shape of the breasts and to wearing all those stylish items of clothing which you were unable to wear before the breast reduction procedure. Patients no longer have to wear any specialist support bras. You can now walk much better with an improvement in posture and a significant improvement, if not complete, resolution in back pain or neck pain, and you can now undertake certain types of physical activities that you were unable to do before.
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We will invite you to see your surgeon at the six-week mark following surgery. Your surgeon will then want to see you three months, six months, and one year after surgery. We find reviewing our post-operative patients to be the most satisfying part of our work, and it is a privilege to be part of your journey towards a new and improved self.
If you would like to find out more about breast reduction and how it can benefit you, you can read more on our breast reduction page. You can also call us and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable patient coordinators. We will be more than happy to book you in to see a surgeon at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in London.
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