Breast Reduction Overview

Breast reduction can be achieved by applying different techniques. The breast reduction techniques depend on the cause of breast size – for example, when the big breasts size results from the fat accumulation, a plastic surgeon will apply a different technique than he would use when breast size is caused by excessive glandular tissue. There are several methods of breast reduction which vary from each other in terms of incision sizes and their number, length of the surgery, and operation steps, however, it must be stressed that only a plastic surgeon can decide on which reduction mammaplasty technique will be used. The choice of the breast reduction surgery techniques depends on a breasts anatomy, health condition, medical history, and woman’s expectations – sometimes, to meet patient’s needs, a surgeon may recommend breast lift and areola reduction only or breast reduction without nipple removal, or just breast lift without reduction. The most frequent out of all different types of breast reduction surgery methods are described below. 

Lollipop breast reduction

One of the surgery methods is a lollipop incision breast reduction. It is made around the areola border and goes down vertically to the crease of the breast – so its shape resembles a lollipop

Lollipop breast reduction surgery is a common name for a breast reduction method including a vertical incision. It is the newest and very frequently used method. A lollipop incision breast reduction is made around the areola border and goes down vertically from the areola to the crease of the breast – so it’s shape resembles a lollipop, hence its name. Breast reduction lollipop technique is the leading method for breast lift surgeries, so when patients have a combination of breast reduction and lift, they may expect this incision. It is also often used in combination breast liposuction and reduction (removing both excessive glandular tissues and fat). The great advantage of this solution is minimal scarring – there is no need to make an incision along the breasts. It also leaves the nerve and blood connection in the nipple intact, which makes it possible for women to breastfeed in the future. To see precisely what lollipop incision involves, we advise that patients ask a doctor or a clinic to share lollipop breast reduction before and after photos. 

Women who need a greater amount of tissue removed may not be qualified for lollipop incision. Then, they are suggested to have anchor breast reduction. It is a technique where a surgeon makes an incision around the nipple, then it goes down the breast and along the breasts crease – finally, the incision shape results in an anchor, which is why it is commonly known as an anchor breast reduction. 

Bilateral breast reduction

Bilateral breast reduction surgery is what women mostly seek. Bilateral breast reduction mammoplasty is nothing more than a reduction performed on two breasts. It is very rare that women have such big breast asymmetry that they need reduction of only one breast to achieve the size of a smaller breast – however, it sometimes happens and is called unilateral breast reduction. Yet, the bilateral breast reduction procedure – so the one performed on two breasts – is so dominant that the short name breast reduction indicates the surgery performed on two breasts. 

Breast reduction with implants

Breast implants may be used during the reduction to fill and shape new breasts

Breast reduction and breast implants may seem to exclude each other, as reduction indicates making breasts smaller while implants make them bigger. However, breast reduction and implants can cooperate with each other and when used wisely, combining both methods can bring perfect results and an ideal small, natural breast size and shape. How can breast reduction surgery with implants be used? Well, there are two possibilities of combining the two methods. Firstly, women whose natural breasts are big, sagging, and inelastic may be recommended reduction and implant placement. Breast implants in this case will add volume, firmness, lift and shape to the sagging breasts. Also, the implant size may be small so that breasts are not enlarged, but rather filled and shaped. Secondly, breast reduction with implants (or even breast reduction with lift and implants) is used when women have already had implants put in. In the last decades, big round breast implants were a common trend and many women who could afford them decided to have breast implants. Nowadays, such unnaturally big implants are not regarded as highly attractive and are not practical for women. So, plastic surgeons usually recommend breast reduction by replacing the implants with smaller ones. It is also a type of breast reduction, yet, it has a form of implant replacement. 

Breast reduction and uplift

Breast reduction and lift is another common combination of breast procedures. How do breast reduction and uplift surgery work? Breast reduction removes the excessive fat and tissues to reduce the breast volume and relocates the nipple while breast lift tightens the skin and reshapes breasts. So, combining breast lift and reduction may give excellent results of naturally-small, perfectly shaped, firm, full, and lifted breasts. Regarding the incisions made in breast reduction with lift, we suggest that patients take a look at breast reduction and lift before and after photos and check what the incisions and scars look like after the surgery. In general, in breast reduction and lift combination, the incisions options include: a lollipop incision (it may be used for breast reduction as well as breast lift), an anchor incision, and periareolar incision (called donut incision – made around the nipples). Finally, patients should be aware that the cost of breast reduction and uplift is generally higher than the cost of the only reduction or only lift, yet sometimes, to get satisfying, permanent results women should definitely consider this option. 

Male breast reduction

Male breast reduction is also performed – it is called gynecomastia surgery

Male chest reduction surgery is a procedure type of mens breast reduction. Men can also struggle with too big breasts, yet the scale of this problem is much smaller than for women. Male chest surgery treats gynecomastia problem that occur in men. Gynecomastia is simply a condition of enlarged, female-like breasts caused by the excessive glandular tissue or excessive fat accumulated in the chest area. Regarding men, enlarged breasts do not cause any health problems (such as back pain or spine problems) – it is a more cosmetic problem causing discomfort and embarrassment. Also, male breast reduction surgery looks differently from women’s breast reduction and is cheaper. The cost of male breast reduction is usually twice as cheap as female breast reduction. The reason for it is simple – the male chest plastic surgery is much less complicated and faster, it can also be done under local anaesthesia. You can read more about plastic surgery for male breast reduction in our article dedicated solely to gynecomastia surgery. 

A candidate for breast reduction is a woman who suffers physical and psychological conditions caused by her large breasts. What’s important, women may apply for NHS funding or insurance coverage for the surgery when the problems caused by breasts are overwhelming. The examples of signs you need a breast reduction include pain in the back and neck area, skin irritation, or emotional burden. What BMI do you need for breast reduction? Usually, the BMI for breast reduction should not exceed 35. When women have higher BMI- may be obese, and they are advised to lose weight, because the breasts may be enlarged due to fat accumulation – so when women lose weight, the breasts will also decrease in size. Here can help weight loss surgery. 

Am I a candidate for breast reduction? Should I get a breast reduction? These are the common questions. Below, we present the breast reduction reasons, which at the same time are the criteria for breast reduction surgery:

• the size of breasts is too large and out of proportion with the body
• poor posture caused by the breasts size and weight
• the pain in the neck, back and shoulders
• grooves in the shoulders
• droopy, heavy breasts where areolas and nipples are pointed downward
• breasts asymmetry
• problems with sleeping, a discomfort while lying down
• skin infections, rashes beneath the breasts
• limitations and restrictions in physical activity and exercises
• discomfort, embarrassment, low self-esteem and psychological distress.

To be qualified for the surgery, a patient must fulfill a few requirements

When women suffer some of the conditions above, they should consider breast reduction surgery and are very likely to get it funded. What’s also important, plastic surgeons agree to perform teen breast reduction. When teenagers of healthy weight have exceedingly large breasts causing health problems, girls can get the surgery. The minimum age to get the surgery is said to be 16. To see the results of breast reduction for young women, we suggest taking a look at breast reduction teenagers before and after photos. Finally, to get qualified for breast reduction, women need to be healthy, they should not smoke, and should have realistic expectations towards the final results. 

Generally, the whole breast reduction surgery procedure and its steps are described in detail during the final consultation before the surgery. A plastic surgeon informs the patient about the breast reduction operation technique and breast reduction sizes that will be achieved. Depending on the anatomy and causes, the procedure for breast reduction may involve the removal of the excessive skin, glandular tissue, or fat. Sometimes, the techniques of fat removal and tissue removal (liposuction and excision techniques) are combined. How is a breast reduction procedure performed?

There are 4 main steps during the surgery: anesthesia, incisions, breast reduction, incisions closure

Below, there are 4 general steps of the surgery:

1. Anaesthesia – in the majority of cases, a plastic surgeon decides to use general anaesthesia where patients are put to sleep and monitored by an anaesthesiologist.
2. Incisions – when anaesthesia starts to work, a surgeon makes the incisions – their size and number depend on the used techniques. The most common options include: a circular pattern around the areolas, a racquet-shaped incision (incision around the areola and vertical incision down to the crease of breast), and inverted T incision. A patient is always informed about the incision type and possible scar places before the surgery.
3. Breast reduction – after making the necessary incisions, a surgeon moves on to reducing the breasts size by removing the excessive glandular tissue, fat or/and skin. When the natural breasts are really big and reduction is significant, there might be a need to relocate the nipple and reduce the areola. During the surgery, the breasts are also lifted and shaped. 
4. Incisions closure – after reducing, lifting and shaping the breasts, a surgeon brings the incisions together. A surgeon may use sutures, surgical tape and/or skin adhesives to close the skin. The lines of incisions are permanent, yet they are likely to fade and become hardly visible over time. 

After the surgery, patients are moved to the post-op room where they rest and are still monitored. After some time, patients wake up. The results of breast reduction are immediate, yet they may not be noticeable until the body heals after the surgical intervention.  

How long does breast reduction surgery take?

The time of the surgery varies from patient to patient. It greatly depends on the scope of the procedure. In general, these are 2-4 hours. If breast reduction is combined with other plastic surgeries, this time may extend. The best idea to know the predicted surgery time is to ask a plastic surgeon before the surgery.

Breast reduction anesthesia

Usually, breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia

As a rule, breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia. With this option, a patient is asleep during the surgery. Sometimes, it is combined with regional anesthesia to alleviate the pain in the incision sites. The general anesthesia is applied through the breathing mask or the IV. All the surgeries performed under general anesthesia are serious and involve some risks connected to anesthesia application. Thus, breast reduction patients always have a consultation with anaesthesiologist before the operation – the specialist makes the final qualification for the general anesthesia so that the surgery as well as anesthesia are as safe as possible for a patient. In addition, patients must be aware of the possible complications and sign a consent form before the surgery – the serious complications happen very rarely, yet patients have to be aware of their possibility. 

The “seriousness” of general anaesthesia may deter some women from the operation, no wonder many of them look for breast reduction without general anesthesia. Is breast reduction under local anesthesia possible? Well, theoretically it is. However, only a surgeon can make a decision about breast reduction local anesthesia. It is most probable when reduction includes fat removal and a surgeon chooses liposuction as a breast reduction technique. In other cases, breast reduction surgery local anesthesia is rather not recommended. The good news, however, is that modern methods of general anaesthesia are really safe and highly improved from what was used in the past. 

Usually, the recovery time after breast reduction is around 4-6 weeks

Breast reduction surgery makes serious interference with the women’s body, it is usually performed under general anaesthesia. No wonder, women feel weak after breast reduction and need some time to recover. What’s characteristic of breast reduction recovery, women feel sore for about 2-3 weeks, also they experience stretching and pulling in the breasts. There may also be a pain for the first week or even two weeks, however, these are all components of a natural breast reduction healing. The stitches should be removed 

6-10 days after the surgery – a surgeon always advises on the best time for such a follow-up visit, including stitches removal. So, coming back to the recovery after breast reduction, it usually takes 4-6 weeks. Yet, each woman needs a different time to recover after breast reduction surgery, so all the guidelines given below should be adjusted by each woman individually. The breast reduction post-surgery aftercare and recovery cover the following areas:

Breast reduction recovery time

It is important that women have a clear understanding of what to expect during recovery time

How long is recovery from breast reduction? It is really individual, yet most plastic surgeons say that the intense recovery lasts 2 weeks, and the full recovery takes a month. The first 2 weeks are important in terms of body healing and incision aftercare, the next 2 weeks are the time when women restore their daily activities and get back to their everyday routines. We always advise that women take a look at the breast reduction recovery photos to see what they may expect at each recovery stage.

The recovery time after breast reduction is very individual, and it is important that women have a clear understanding of what to expect in the weeks following the operation.

The universal timeline of the recovery is as follows:

• the first week after breast reduction surgery: patients feel some pain and discomfort which is alleviated by prescribed or over-the-counter medications, breasts are swollen and bruised; many a time a surgeon puts drains which collect fluids and prevent infections, they are usually removed a few days after surgery; the supportive bra needs to be worn all days and nights; at that time, women should rest as much as possible;
• 2-4 weeks after surgery: the swelling and bruising is subsiding day by day, also the pain is getting much less intense; the stitches are usually removed in the 2nd week after the operation; patients are still suggested to wear a supportive bra to hold the breast and maintain their shape; most women feel ready to return to work and restore daily routine (the only exception is lifting and tiring physical activity); at this stage, women should feel better every day, so if a woman feels worse, she should contact a surgeon, as it might be the sign of some side effects;
• 1 month after surgery: after a month, most women have fully recovered, yet they should be still careful about their breasts; also the breasts start to feel soft and natural; physical activity may be implemented gradually.

As has been already mentioned, recovery time is very individual, yet women have a great influence on their recovery. There are some guidelines which shorten the recovery time and improve healing. Women are advised to refrain from smoking (before as well as after the surgery), stay hydrated, avoid alcohol (especially during the first 1-2 weeks after the surgery), organise the family and work life in a way that they have much time to rest and relax, sleep in an upright position during the first 3 weeks after the surgery, avoid lifting heavy objects (or e.g. a baby) for as long as possible.

Breast reduction bra

A special bra after the surgery is an essential part of post-operative care. It needs to be worn for several weeks after the surgery

Wearing breast reduction bras is the essential part of post-operative care. When the dressing and gauze are removed (a few days after surgery), women should start wearing a post breast reduction bra. Usually, such a bra must be worn for several weeks – it’s role is to maintain the shape of breasts, prevent infections, prompt blood circulation, enhance healing, control swelling and keep the breasts secure. What’s important, a bra is worn during day and night for quite a long time, so such a bra after breast reduction must be comfortable and perfectly fitted so that it fulfils its protective and supportive function and feels natural and convenient. The features that all breast reduction bras after surgery should possess include a soft fiber, controlled compression, soft cups, supportive underbust banding, adjustable straps, and front hook. We always recommend to patients that they obtain at least 2 bras after breast reduction surgery so that they can be exchanged and washed. There are a lot of certified companies offering such post-op bras, so women find it rather easy to get a well-fitted bra, yet if you feel not sure about the bra choice, it is always a good idea to ask a plastic surgeon for recommendations. 

Breast reduction swelling

Swelling is a natural body reaction to the surgery. So, if women wonder about breast reduction what to expect afterwards, they should always expect swelling. In general, swelling reaches its peak during the first week after the surgery, then, day by day, it subsides. Patients may also notice that the swelling moves downwards (to the legs) – it’s a pure gravity and a short-time discomfort. Women should be also aware of the fact that swelling after breast reduction and lift may last for a few months, often it’s up to a year until it totally disappears. Only when the swelling after breast reduction surgery disappears completely, can the final results be visible. Of course, women’s breasts look great shortly after the procedure as most of the swelling disappears within 10 days, they will just look even better once all post breast reduction swelling is gone. 

How to reduce swelling after breast reduction surgery?

The scale and length of swelling after breast reduction varies from patient to patient. Yet, there are some tips helping reduce swelling and speed the healing time. They include:

• drink a lot of fluids (the best is water), as dehydration results in increased swelling;
• follow a healthy balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins and fiber;
• take supplements, especially vitamins, iron and minerals;
• choose natural antioxidants, e.g. goji berries, blueberries, red grapes, kale, red cabbage, beets, carrot, sweet potatoes, pecans, almonds and walnuts;
• keep active lifestyle – of course, it should be safe and adjusted to the recovery time and patient’s health condition;
• avoid lifting and reaching above the head.

Pain after breast reduction

The most intense and painful period is the first week after surgery and should get better with time

The intensity of pain after breast reduction surgery greatly depends on the technique used. Usually, the significant reduction triggers longer recovery and more discomfort than just a slight breast reduction. Anyway, women should be prepared for breast reduction pain after surgery. A plastic surgeon always prescribes medications for pain and advises on the effective over-the-counter medications that can be taken. The most intense and painful period is the first week after surgery, however day by day, the pain alleviates, and finally breast reduction pain after 3 weeks should not occur at all. Sometimes, women may experience nipple pain after breast reduction when the nipple has been relocated, yet here also pain meds will be helpful. The important thing is to observe the body and pain intensity because when women feel that pain after breast reduction and lift increases over time, they should contact the surgeon – it may be the symptom of some complications. Usually, the pain is getting less intense over time and can be tackled with medications, so any situation of increased pain should not be neglected. Regarding shoulder, neck, or back pain after breast reduction, they are totally eliminated as the breasts are not a burden anymore.

Breast reduction recovery tips

Check the breast reduction surgery recovery tips to make the recovery faster, safer, and more comfortable:

• make sure you know what incisions are put – if these are dissolvable sutures, they do not need to be taken out and if they are regular stitches, they need to be taken out by a doctor or nurse within 2 weeks after surgery;
• when a surgical tape is used, it will fall off on it’s own;
• gauzes should be changed regularly as recommended or when they get dirty;
• there’s a possibility of blood drainage through the incisions in the first days;
• when a surgeon puts drains to collect fluids, make sure that you know how to take care of it;
• taking shower is not advised during the first 48 hours after surgery, further showers can be fully taken or taken from the 3rd day (sometimes a doctor may recommend to take first showers from waist downwards only);
• when you have drains, the shower can be taken 1 or 2 days after drains are removed – a doctor gives individual instructions in this regard;
• taking baths, using sauna or swimming pool is forbidden for 6-8 weeks;
• women should get such a post-op bra which does not have underwire (as it may disturb healing)
• avoid lifting, pulling, pushing objects heavier than 2,5 kilograms for 6 weeks (breast reduction recovery stories show that it is very dangerous not only to the results but also health) – it includes holding grocery shopping, doing laundry or lifting a baby;
• any strenuous activity should be avoided for 6 weeks (e.g. running, jumping, jogging)
• you should contact a doctor when you have a fever over 39° C, feel increased pain, your breasts get red or you notice any other worrying symptoms.

Final results after the surgery are fully visible after a few months

Breast reduction is a life-changing surgery providing both aesthetic and health effects. Each procedure is customized to an individual patient and addresses specific problems caused by the large breasts, so breast reduction surgery results satisfy every single woman in a desired way. When can the best breast reduction results be seen? It depends on the recovery pace, which is individual to each woman. In general, breasts are swollen and tight for the first weeks, they also seem to be positioned unnaturally high on the chest, yet over time breasts settle in their final position, get the natural contour, become soft, and reach the final aesthetics – some women see these results within a month while others need to wait some more weeks until the breasts fully recover. The results of breast reduction are designed to be permanent, yet women need to be aware that the ageing process and gravity may change the breast look in the future, yet these are natural changes that happen to everyone. Of course, breasts will not get bigger naturally, so the problem of enlarged breasts will never get back on its own. 

Breastfeeding after breast reduction

Can you breastfeed after a breast reduction? Breast reduction breastfeeding is one of the biggest concerns for women, especially young women who are planning to have babies in the future. The potential side effect of breast reduction is damaging the nerves, glands, and ducts producing milk, which can make breastfeeding very difficult or sometimes impossible. Generally, when the areola and nipple remain intact during the surgery, women see no connection between breast reduction and breastfeeding. The problem arises when the reduction requires relocation of the nipple – it may cause nerve and milk ducts damage and diminish the nipple sensation. In breastfeeding, nerves play a key role as they trigger the oxytocin and prolactin release – these are the hormones responsible for milk production and its let-down. The statistics show that over time, women restore sensation in the nipples after the surgery, so automatically they have greater chances to breastfeed. So, this surgery is not recommended to women planning to get pregnant in the near future (e,g, within a year after the surgery). 

There shouldn’t be any connection between breast reduction and breastfeeding problems- thus it is extremely important to choose an experienced surgeon

Regarding breastfeeding, women actually will not know whether their ability to produce and give milk has been affected until they actually give birth to a child. There is no way of checking it in advance. The specialists say that when women have nipple sensation after breast reduction, the breastfeeding is not endangered. The other aspect of breastfeeding is that plenty of women struggle with lactation problems (especially with the first baby) and this problem is totally independent from breast reduction surgery. So, it is highly recommended that women ask lactation specialists or nurses for help. The vast majority of problems with breastfeeding reported by women after breast reduction is not connected to the surgery at all. Finally, women should realise that breasts change after pregnancy and breastfeeding – they may become larger, sagging, loose, so the results of breast reduction may be blurred. Thus, if a woman has a choice whether to have breast reduction before or after having babies, we always suggest waiting until the last baby is born. Then, women can be sure that the breastfeeding is not disturbed, and the surgery results will be permanent. 

Breast reduction surgery scars are inevitable as the surgery always involves making incisions. However, it does not mean that the scars will be significant, visible, and unattractive. On the contrary, modern techniques and surgery advancement allows for making scars which are small and well-hidden in the natural skin folds and creases so that they are hardly visible in the future. 

Scars after breast reduction depend on the technique that is used.

Usually, the scar over time fades, becomes smaller, smoother, and natural-looking

We can differentiate short-scar techniques and long-scar techniques:

• A short-scar techniques – they obviously involve little breast reduction scarring; such small incisions are enough when women need only minimal or moderate changes to the breasts. It is mostly used when the reduction is not larger than 1-2 cup sizes. These incisions are called lollipop or vertical incisions – they are made around the areolas and then from areola down to the breast crease. A breast reduction scar is located in the lower part of the breast below the nipple. Scars can be easily hidden under the clothes, underwear or swimsuits.
• A large-scar technique – here longer incisions are made, so the scars are also more prominent. The incisions are made around the areola, between the crease under the breast and areola, and the last one is made along the breasts crease (horizontally). This technique is called the anchor or inverted-T method. It is used when women have breasts asymmetry, sagging, and large cup size.

Regardless of the technique, the scars need much time to heal. In fact, we can talk about the healed breast reduction scars after 1 year or even 2 years. At the beginning, the scars may look prominent, pigmented, sharp, and really visible, but over time they fade, become smaller, smooth, and natural-looking. What’s more, the scars are made in places that mask them naturally – in folds and creases. When scars are a great concern for women considering breast reduction, they should ask a clinic or a doctor for breast reduction scars pictures (breast reduction before and after scars photos) of former patients. It would give them an idea of what to expect from the surgery and prepare them for the future changes and potential scars. 

Whether breast reduction scars healed properly or not and their final look greatly depends on a woman. The following behaviours can disturb the scar healing and make them more prominent: tanning, smoking, scratching/itching the wound area, excessive scrubbing, using poor-quality cosmetics. At the same time, there are behaviours which minimize scarring and make the final scars hardly noticeable. They include doing scar massage, using scar gels or silicone sheets, embracing special dressing, treating heald scars with fractionated lasers, and applying sunscreen. Applying these methods is highly effective in prompting scar healing and often, the final look of the scar is very faded, smooth, and blended into the body, so it is almost invisible. When the home methods of enhancing scar healing are ineffective, women have a chance of having the scar removed. The scar removal options include tissue expansion, chemical peels, topical bleaching medications, and laser therapy – these are professional procedures which need to be done by a specialist (usually a plastic surgeon or dermatologist).

Post breast reduction complications are very rare, but every woman should be aware of them before making the final decision regarding the surgery

What to expect after breast reduction surgery? What are the potential breast reduction side effects and how can you know that breast reduction gone wrong? Below, we present the list of potential post breast reduction complications that each women should be aware of before making the final decision regarding the surgery:

• blood transfusion – it may be required during or after the surgery; anemia may be the side effect happening after the surgery – patients are prescribed iron, but when it doesn’t help, blood transfusion is inevitable;
• scars – scars are always left after breast reduction, yet sometimes their healing is disturbed and they may look unaesthetic and prominent;
• pain – the most intense pain is felt during the first week after the surgery, yet women are recommended over-the-counter meds or prescribed strong painkillers; after a week, the pain should get less and less intense, so if a woman feels long-term, acute pain despite taking meds, she should consult a doctor; in the long-term, the pain should be really severe when the healing goes without complications;
• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (pulmonary embolism) – DVT refers to the blood clots that happen on the legs, it is caused by the surgical interference and bed rest; women who smoke, take contraceptive pills or undergo hormone therapy are at the highest risk; sometimes, DVT may develop into PE – it happens when blood clots break apart and are passed into the lungs;
• fat necrosis – it rarely happens, yet it is possible; it refers to the damage of fat cells in the breasts – usually the body repairs the cells on its own, occasionally, the breasts may be painful due to fluid accumulation; in the most severe cases, the skin dies, yet it is extremely rare;
• problems with breastfeeding – breastfeeding may be disturbed by the surgery, so women who plan to have babies are recommended to wait with the surgery;
• asymmetry – natural breasts tend to be slightly asymmetrical, it is also possible that the asymmetry remains after breast reduction; when women pay greatest attention to breasts symmetry, they may be in need of a second surgery improving the breasts look;
• infections – for the most part, infections can be treated with further dressings and antibiotics, however when it gets severe, women must return to the hospital to get it healed;
• wound breakdown – it may be caused by the tension on a wound, poor nutrition, infection, smoking or poor blood supply;
• haematoma – it is a condition where blood is collected underneath the skin – it results in painful and swollen breasts, sometimes the only way to deal with it is another surgery;
• nipple problems – breast reduction may cause the loss of sensation or over sensation of the nipple; it is usually temporary, yet there are cases where women suffered the permanent loss of nipple sensation;
• psychological concerns – it’s possible that women are not satisfied with the final look of their breasts or they suffer serious complications making the breasts look worse (e.g. prominent scars), so it’s important to speak with the surgeon about the expectations and concerns before the surgery. 

Breast reduction infection

Infection after breast reduction surgery is a common side effect. In fact, infection may happen after any surgical procedure. The best way to avoid infection after breast reduction is firstly to choose an experienced skilled plastic surgeon and secondly to follow all the instructions regarding incisions care and recovery. Once the infection happens, it’s important to react quickly after the first breast reduction infection symptoms appear, then the infection would not be harmful in any way. The signs of infection after breast reduction surgery include:

• intensified pain the incision sites
• a fever exceeding 38,5 °C
• redness on the operated area
• specific odour coming from the wounds
• the feeling of warmth in the operated area
• discharge draining from the incisions.

Infection is a very common side effect, when it appears it’s important to react quickly after the first symptoms

A breast reduction incision infection is usually treated with oral antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. In more severe cases, when patients react too late and infection has developed greatly, there may be the need for re-opening the incisions and draining them, patients may be also hospitalized and receive intravenous antibiotics. The good idea of verifying whether the infection has developed is checking breast reduction infection photos – the photos of women struggling with the infection show the symptoms that should not be ignored. Of course, women should not hesitate to contact a doctor any time they notice worrying signs in the operated area.

Fat necrosis after breast reduction

Fat necrosis after breast reduction surgery is a death of cells happening when the cells are not given enough oxygen. Then, when fat tissues are damaged, it may develop a lump of damaged or dead tissue. Regarding treatment fat necrosis after breast reduction, it usually does not need it. In the vast majority of cases, fat necrosis goes away naturally on its own. Patients may alleviate the pain, if it appears, with over-the-counter meds, do gentle massage and apply the warm compresses. If the lumps become really big and bothering, they may need a surgical removal, yet it is very rare. 

Lump in breast after breast reduction

Sometimes, women may feel the lumps after breast reduction, they may appear on the breasts as a result of fat necrosis. Usually, when a lump in breast after reduction appears, it resolves on its own within a few months. It is important that women are regularly examining their breasts manually and with mammogram testing after the surgery.

Breast reduction revision surgery

If the patient is not fully satisfied with the effects, revision surgery may be performed

Second breast reduction is performed when the results of primary surgery are not satisfying to a woman. Women may consider revision surgery when:

• over time breasts change and their shape, firmness or size is no longer satisfactory
• the results of first breast reduction are not satisfying
• there is breast reduction regrowth e.g. after pregnancy and breastfeeding
• the breasts sit too low after the surgery
• there are some complications after the primary surgery
• the scars are too prominent 
• breasts are asymmetrical
• breasts are too small.

There are several options for secondary surgery. It does not have to be breast reduction, sometimes other procedures are recommended to fix specific problems. So, when women feel disappointed with the results, they should consult a plastic surgeon because it may turn out that it cannot be treated with secondary breast reduction. So, the options of revision surgery include: revision breast reduction (e.g. when the breast size is still too big after primary reduction), breast implants (to improve the shape or symmetry, increase the size of breasts), breast reduction scar revision surgery (when the scar did not heal properly), fat transfer to breasts (to make them fuller). So, breast reduction revision surgery may take different forms, hence it is vital that women discuss all the options with a plastic surgeon. 

Listing the pros and cons of breast reduction surgery is a good way for women hesitating whether to get the surgery or not.

Below, we present pros and cons of getting a breast reduction operation.

There are some alternatives to breast reduction surgery like breast reduction creams, exercises, or pills, but woman should remember that the surgery is the most effective and durable procedure

Surgical breast reduction is undoubtedly the most effective and durable procedure reducing the breast size. Yet, there are some alternatives to breast reduction surgery, e.g. breast reduction cream, natural breast reduction. Women should be particularly careful about opting for the alternatives because not all of them are medically-safe and effective. We can differentiate between surgical and non-surgical alternatives to breast reduction. Below, we show the certified, effective alternative treatments to reduce breasts size.

Micro lipo breast reduction

Liposuction breast reduction is a minimally invasive surgical alternative to breast reduction surgery. It can reduce the breast size by even 30-50%. Obviously, breast reduction liposuction is recommended to women who have excessive fat tissue in the breasts. Those whose breasts size is caused by mostly excessive glandular tissue would not benefit from such liposuction for breast reduction. What’s important, liposuction does not leave any scars as the skin remains intact, only the fat is removed, and the incisions resemble very small dots. Micro lipo breast reduction UK is more hard to get within the NHS as liposuction is an elective cosmetic surgery not covered by NHS, so usually, patients need to pay the full micro lipo breast reduction cost.

Non-surgical breast reduction

Exercises may improve breast shape and aesthetics. The most effective exercises are push-ups, jogging, bicycling

Apart from surgical procedures, it is also possible to achieve breast reduction without surgery. Of course, it’s not possible for every single woman, however, the non surgery breast reduction methods that we list below might turn out highly effective for numerous women. So, the non-surgical alternatives include:

• losing weight – breast reduction exercises and a healthy diet may be extremely effective in reducing the breasts size; it is normal that overweigh or obese women have larger breasts just because the fat accummulates in the chest area just as in the other body parts; so here, losing weight may be enough to get smaller breasts; the average scale of reduction by weight loss is  cup size;
• breast reduction pills – there are many brands and types of such pills (e.g. alexia breast reduction pills or some natural herbal pills); yet here, we must warn women against choosing uncertified pills with dubious elements because they are not only ineffective but also may be dangerous to the health; in fact, breast reduction pills UK are not certified or medically-approved, which means that this way of breast reduction should be neglected;
• weight training – the exercises engaging pectoral muscles may change the look of the breasts; it does not necessarily reduce the breasts, but rather improves their shape and aesthetics, which for some women may be enough to accept their breasts; other effective exercises here are these engaging the back, push ups, jogging, bicycling;
• hormones balancing – sometimes, the large breasts result from hormonal imbalance, so bringing back the proportions of hormones can help reduce the breasts size; hormonal therapy should never be done by a patient only – to be effective, it needs to be led by a specialist

The final cost of breast reduction surgery is very individual and depends on many factors

How much does a breast reduction cost? How much is a breast reduction? These are the questions which are very important for women looking for the surgery. The final cost of breast reduction is very individual and depends on many factors so it is impossible to determine universal breast reduction surgery price. Yet, knowing the determinants influencing breast reduction prices helps patients understand and estimate the cost that they may expect. Well, the private breast reduction and lift cost depends on the following factors:

• a surgeon – the rule is that an experienced, well-trained plastic surgeon has higher fees than young surgeons who just start their path in the plastic surgeries; so women looking for the top plastic surgeons should expect the higher breast reduction cost;
• anaesthesiologist fee – the cost of breast reduction surgery includes anaesthesia and anaesthesiologist fee; surgeries performed under general anaesthesia are naturally more expensive than surgeries under local anaesthesia; also as with plastic surgeons, experienced anaesthesiologists take higher fees;
• location – how much is breast reduction? It depends on the clinic, city and country; the prices vary among the clinics located in one city, they also vary depending on a city (e.g. in large cities, prices tend to be higher than in small town) and finally they vary depending on a country (e.g. the cheapest breast reduction in the UK is even twice as expensive as the same surgery in Poland);
• scope of the surgery – breast reduction may be done with the different techniques; also depending on a cause of large breasts, a surgeon may do fat removal, skin removal, tissue removal, or the combination of the above; sometimes, breast reduction is combined with lift or other plastic surgeries;
• recovery – the price elements connected with the recovery may include medications, compression garments, supportive bras, follow up visits and time off work, so if surgery includes these components, the price is higher, when it doesn’t, patients may expect to pay less, so to make a reliable research, patients should always ask about the price components.

So, how much is breast reduction? How much does breast reduction cost? Universally, we cannot answer this question, but we will take a look at the average prices in the chosen countries. 

Breast reduction cost UK

How much is a breast reduction UK? In general, the question: how much is breast reduction surgery UK is still very difficult to answer. For example, when a patient chooses the best breast reduction surgeons UK, they may expect one of the highest costs available in this country. At the same time, a small clinic located in a town may offer much lower cost for the same procedure. What is the breast reduction surgery cost UK in specific cities? Below, we provide average prices that can be met in the UK:

• breast reduction Glasgow: 6000 GBP on average (breast reduction Scotland is the most costly for British patients out of all regions)
• breast reduction London: 4500-6500 GBP 
• breast reduction Leeds: 5500-6500 GBP
• breast reduction Northern Ireland: 4500 GBP.

Of course, the prices above are the average ones, and the ones that are given in the majority of clinics. Patients may come across lower prices (even from 3500 GBP) as well as higher cost (even up to 8500 GBP). So, patients should treat the given estimates as an outline of what can be expected, however, the final prices are set by each clinic individually, so it is best to do research in particular clinics. 

Breast reduction finance

The cost of the surgery is quite high, this is why many people are looking for breast reduction on finance

Due to the high cost of the surgery in the UK, many people are looking for breast reduction on finance. The main advantage of finance breast reduction surgery is that people do not have to spend much money at once, so their budget, savings, and daily expenses are not disturbed or affected. It is very comfortable for most women whose savings are not big enough to afford the surgery and makes it possible for them to get the surgery when they want it. Otherwise, women would need to save money for months or even years to pay the full surgery cost. There are two breast reduction finance options. The first one is getting an independent loan from a bank. Then, patients can pay the full surgery cost without affecting the personal savings and make the monthly payments to pay off the bank loan.The second option of finance for breast reduction is finding a clinic which offers the installment payment for the procedures. More and more clinics make it possible for patients to get the surgery and pay for it over a specific period of time. There are many options, the installment plan may last a few months or even a few years depending on a patient’s financial situation. Clinics are also flexible in terms of credit history and the loan criteria are not so strict as in banks. Usually, patients need to pay a deposit before the surgery to book it, the deposit may be 10-40% of the final price, and the rest of the sum is paid in installments. So, if any woman needs breast reduction surgery but cannot afford it, financing is a great option to consider. 

Breast reduction surgery on the NHS funding is possible

Can you get a breast reduction on the NHS? The good news is that women can get a free breast reduction because breast reduction surgery NHS funding is possible. Breast reduction on NHS can be done when patients meet the criteria determined by medical professionals. The most important aspect of NHS breast reduction is that suffering health problems caused by the breasts size is the main criterion of breast reduction NHS requirements. So, the surgery must be medically needed, otherwise breast reduction on the NHS is not possible. How can I get a breast reduction on the NHS? Below, we provide the criteria that must be met to qualify for the NHS breast reduction surgery.

Breast reduction NHS criteria

NHS breast reduction criteria are quite strict and exactly show how to get a breast reduction on the NHS. Here, we need to mention that the breast reduction on NHS criteria are set by local CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups). So, these criteria may vary depending on a region. Yet, the universal criteria for NHS funding include:

• pain in the neck and shoulders
• backache
• rashes, skin infection under the breasts
• skin irritation
• grooves from bra strips appearing in the shoulder area
• low self-esteem, depression, psychological distress caused by the large breasts size
• limitations in the daily activities, e.g. inability to practise sport or exercise.

The additional criteria may include breasts size, weight, BMI, smoking, age – they vary depending on the CGC preferences. If a woman feels she meets these criteria, she should apply for such a surgery.

So, how to get a breast reduction within the NHS? The application requires a few steps:

1. making an appointment with a GP, the doctor makes a primary evaluation and determines whether a woman is eligible for the NHS surgery;
2. when a GP qualifies a patient for NHS surgery, a women is referred to a plastic surgeon (to make physical assessment) and a psychiatrist / psychologist (to make emotional assessment);
3. if a woman is both physically and mentally qualified for breast reduction, her case is assessed by CCG who makes the final decision about the surgery;
4. once qualified by CCG, a woman is given the possible dates for the surgery and put on the waiting list. A woman is also presented with the possible risks and complications, recovery and other surgery details. 

Breast reduction NHS waiting list

Unfortunately, waiting lists for breast reduction NHS are long, this is why patients are looking for different options

In fact, there are many women applying for a free breast reduction UK. So naturally, the waiting list is quite long. To give an example, the average time of breast reduction NHS waiting list 2018 was 2-3 years. Of course, each region has a separate waiting list, it is hard to say when a free breast reduction UK will be done. NHS prioritizes the surgeries in terms of medical need. The waiting time depends on the number of women applying for breast reduction as well as other plastic surgeries. So, the time may vary from a few months to a few years. To get more precise information about the waiting list, women should visit a local GP and ask about the current situation with the waiting time. 

Getting breast reduction surgery in the UK or Ireland may be really expensive and many women just cannot afford it. The alternative options to private breast reduction UK include NHS coverage and financing. Yet, there is also a third possibility of getting a cheap breast reduction, which is going abroad for the surgery. Medical tourism has given us such a chance and has made it popular to look for a top-quality, yet cheap surgery abroad. Nowadays, organising the surgery abroad is as easy as organising breast reduction near me. So, since it is rather impossible to get cheap breast reduction UK, people should take a chance of getting the affordable surgery in a nearby country. What’s also important, patients can get secured for their medical trip abroad, which makes their travel and stay much safer. Clinic Hunter & AXA Partners have created a cosmetic surgery travel insurance dedicated solely to medical tourists.

Many women decide on breast reduction surgery abroad due to lower cost but also high quality of services

Some countries offer a really affordable cost for breast reduction, and it is not connected with the quality of the surgery. On the contrary, when the surgery costs much less, patients have a chance to choose the best breast reduction surgeons and the best breast reduction clinics. The lower price results mainly from the low living cost, which indicates lower salaries, fees, daily expenses, and maintenance, and finally, it influences lower prices for surgeries. Patients should never be afraid of the standard of the surgery abroad because the excellent clinics as well as dubious hospitals can be met in each country. So we always advise that women read breast reduction abroad reviews, look for the best plastic surgeon for breast reduction, and generally do the research regardless of the country where they get the surgery. Finally, what are the countries which offer a really low costs for plastic surgeries? The examples are:

• Mexico and Brazil – chosen often by Americans
• Poland, Turkey, Hungary, Czech Republic – chosen by Europeans and Americans
• Thailand, India – chosen mostly by Asians.

Each of the countries above is very attractive for people from the UK, Ireland, USA, Germany, Australia, France, Norway, Sweden and Canada. The prices that are met in these countries are 2 or even 3 times cheaper, so even the travel costs do not make a difference and still, it is very economic to go abroad for the breast reduction surgery.  

Breast reduction in Poland

Plastic surgery Poland is extremely popular among Americans and Europeans. The nations considering plastic surgery Poland prices as really low include British, Irish, Norwegian, Swedish, German, and Americans. Breast reduction Poland is claimed to be highly professional and top-quality, also the plastic surgeons there are world-class authorities. Private clinics offering breast reduction Poland use the new technology, modern equipment and advanced solutions, and at the same time, breast reduction cost Poland is highly competitive. Why do so many foreign patients choose Poland? The main advantages of Poland include:

• clinics have great experience in providing services to international patients, so the policy of the hospital and aftercare is adjusted to their needs;
• plastic surgeons in Poland are very skilled and well-trained specialists; the education path in Poland is really strict for them, so finally, only the most determined, devoted, ambitious and skilled people become plastic surgeons;
• the price for the surgery is highly competitive worldwide;
• English is a prevalent language there, so there is no language barrier;
• touristically, Poland is a very attractive country, so it’s a great option to combine holidays with surgery;
• there is high accessibility with hundreds of flights every day
• foreign patients can get free help in organising the surgery – clinics and independent medical tourism facilitators offer such help;
• patients can obtain medical travel insurance dedicated for medical tourists.

As a final word, breast reduction surgery in Poland is receiving very positive feedback from international patients. The greatest asset of this country is a highly professional healthcare and top standard of the surgeries, and the competitive price is often a pleasing, yet additional, aspect. 

Breast reduction Turkey

Turkey is currently a leading country in medical tourism field. Many patients decide on various treatment options there

Breast reduction in Turkey is especially popular among Europeans, Americans, and Asians. Generally, Turkey is a popular destination for tourists and a world-known holiday resort gathering millions of tourists annually. No wonder, it is very common that people combine breast reduction surgery Turkey with summer all-inclusive holidays. 

Turkey is famous for offering complex medical travel services – the private clinics and agencies offer their help in organising the surgery, choosing the surgeon, finding the preferred location, booking the flights and hotel, so international patients choosing Turkey may feel as if they contact a travel agency which organises all inclusive holidays. The additional aspect here is the surgery. It’s really comfortable for patients who can avoid additional stress connected to the organisation of the medical trip. Regarding the communication or language barrier, patients should not worry about that because many surgeons operating international patients speak English fluently, yet if they don’t, clinics always organise the professional help of a translator. Finally, these are the breast reduction Turkey prices which make the greatest advantage of the surgery in Turkey. The cost of plastic surgery in Turkey is one of the lowest in the whole world. Compared to the UK or the USA, the prices in Turkey are even 3-4 times lower. So, anyone looking for the most affordable breast reduction should definitely consider Turkey. 

Other locations for breast reductions surgery abroad

Poland and Turkey are definitely the most popular destinations for getting breast reduction. Yet, these are not the only locations worth considering. The other popular countries include: breast reduction Belgium, breast reduction in Mexico, breast reduction surgery Thailand, and Czech Republic (especially breast reduction Prague). Well, regardless of the price, medical tourists should always pay attention to the surgeon’s experience and clinic standards. So, before making the final decision regarding the place, we advise that patients do the research among considered countries and clinics – it will allow for choosing the clinic which will be the most beneficial in terms of health, budget and comfort.  

Reading breast reduction reviews UK are an extremely important factor which influences the decision about the clinic. What we recommend is taking a look at realself breast reduction opinions, breast reduction forum UK, breast reduction stories from patients, and breast reduction images. These sources give a real image of what the surgery in a specific country or clinic looks like. They also resolve all the doubts, concerns and answer bothering questions about the surgery, surgeon, and clinic. 

Breast reduction surgery before and after UK photos are always a showcase of a clinic and surgeon. Analysing such before and after breast reduction photos always gives much knowledge about the surgeon, his/her experience and skills. Most clinics and surgeons are eager to share their breast reduction surgery video films or breast reduction surgery before and after pictures, so usually, patients should not have any difficulties with finding such information. 

Breast reduction surgery is a very important procedure for women both in terms of their physical look and mental comfort. It allows for reducing breast size, which eliminates health problems and improves self-confidence as well. Women have several options of getting breast reduction surgery – they may do it in a home country in a private clinic, get the funding for the surgery, apply for the surgery within the NHS or go abroad to get a cheaper surgery. Every option has many advantages and disadvantages, e.g. the surgery in a private clinic in the UK is costly, yet it’s really easy and fast to do it as it’s close to the home place, the surgery abroad is much more affordable, yet it involves travelling; NHS coverage allows for a free surgery, but the waiting time may last for even a few years. So, each woman should make the individual decision and consider the options looking at the personal needs. Anyone looking for more information about breast reduction surgery abroad may contact Clinic Hunter. Our coordinators will help everyone find the best clinic, organise and book the surgery abroad.

AitThemes.com, www.ait-themes.com. “No Result Found.” About Plastic Surgery, www.aboutplasticsurgery.com/breast/breast-reduction/breast-reduction-after-breast-enhancement-surgery/.

Bhargava, Hansa D. “Breast Reduction Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, Risks, and Recovery.” WebMD, WebMD, 5 Aug. 2020, www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-breast-reduction-surgery#1.

“Breast Reduction Surgery.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-reduction-surgery/about/pac-20385246.

Chang E;Johnson N;Webber B;Booth J;Rahhal D;Gannett D;Johnson W;Franzini D;Zegzula H; “Bilateral Reduction Mammoplasty in Combination with Lumpectomy for Treatment of Breast Cancer in Patients with Macromastia.” American Journal of Surgery, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15135684/.

Cherney, Kristeen. “Breast Reduction Scars: Healing Time, Appearance, Removal, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/breast-reduction-scars#aftercare-and-scar-reduction.

Karen Miles|Medically reviewed byJennifer Thomas, M.D. “Breastfeeding after Breast Reduction Surgery.” BabyCenter, www.babycenter.com/baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-after-breast-reduction-surgery_8691.

Hołówko, Marek. “Beauty Poland / Clinic Hunter.” Plastic Surgery Poland and Cosmetic Surgery Abroad – Beauty Poland, https://beautypoland.com/destinations/

NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/breast-reduction-female/.

Tyler, Mara. “Breast Reduction: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 1 May 2018, www.healthline.com/health/breast-reduction#results.