How are the breasts reduced and what should be expected?

During the operation, I will remove excess skin and tissue from the breasts and they will be recontoured to produce a more lifted, natural shape to the breasts. A breast reduction is often carried out in tandem with a breast uplift to ensure that the new breasts are as elevated as possible.

As with any cosmetic procedure I perform, the utmost care and attention are given to how the breasts will look and feel after the operation. A breast reduction procedure will always result in some degree of scarring, although care will be taken to mitigate this as much as is possible.

The incision is typically made around the nipple and straight down to the inframammary crease, commonly known as a lollipop scar. For some women, it is necessary to extend that incision along the crease in an anchor-type scar. Patients may have requests in regard to scarring which I will always try and accommodate but this has to be balanced with what is required surgically to achieve the shape and size of breasts they desire.

I have found that the surgical skill and anatomical knowledge required by breast reconstruction informs my cosmetic breast practice, particularly in relation to incisions and the finishing of the operation. Use of post-operative tape gives the best outcome in the short term and then the patient is seen regularly post-operatively by myself and my nurses to ensure best possible management of scarring. If there is any evidence that they are suffering from hypertrophic or keloid scarring then we recommend topical silicone treatments in the first instance. I also provide strict advice after any procedure in terms of moisturising and massaging the incision sites to help produce the thin, flat, faded scars that everyone wants.

Some women experience a loss of sensitivity of the nipple following a breast reduction. This is a consequence of the delicate nerve endings around the nipple being unavoidably damaged during surgery, so a degree of numbness can occur, but may be temporary.

Breast reduction: a long-lasting solution

Deciding to embark on a cosmetic surgery procedure is a very personal decision and I always offer patients as many pre-operative consultations as they require to ensure they are fully informed before going ahead. However, it is true to say that a well-done breast reduction procedure can have life-changing benefits.