Breast Reduction - The Procedure, What's involved?

A breast reduction is an operation to reduce the size of your breasts by
removing some of the excess fat and skin. This surgery can relieve the
discomfort caused by large breasts, including back and neck pain, grooves
in the shoulders from bra straps and rashes under the breasts.

Many women feel happier and less self-conscious about the way they look
after the operation. Your breasts will not grow back, but they may increase
in size if you put on weight or become pregnant.

Most common reasons for considering a breast reduction are:

• - cystic breast infections (polycystic mastitis)
• - back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, breast pain, or headaches
• - loss of sensation in the breasts, arms or fingers
• - sleeping problems or poor posture resulting from large breasts
• - pigmented bra-strap groove
• - striae (scarlike lines) on the breasts

Mammograms (breast X-rays) and a routine breast examanation
are required before surgery.

The procedure

A breast reduction operation is performed under general anaesthesia, which
means you will be asleep during the procedure. Incisions are made along the
natural creases in the breast and around the dark pink skin surrounding the
nipple (areola). A keyhole-shaped incision above the areola is also made
to define the new location of the nipple. Skin is then removed from the lower
section of the breast.

The areola, nipple and underlying breast tissue are moved up to a higher
position. The nipple is then moved and incisions are closed with sutures, then
covered with a dressing. The procedure generally takes approximately two
hours and you will need to stay in hospital for at least one night's stay after.

The dressing is replaced by a soft bra within the first week, and must be worn
for several weeks. Generally, the swelling and discoloration around the incisions
subside within a few days. There may be temporary loss of sensation in the
breast skin and nipples after surgery. This condition improves with time.
Within two weeks of surgery, sutures are removed.

Your Breast reduction Consultation

Your no-obligation breast reduction consultation is with an experienced
Patient Co-ordinator. We will give you as much information as necessary to
enable you to make an informed decision. You will have the opportunity to
discuss your suitability & detailed aspects of the operation with your Surgeon.

Our Surgeons are General Medical Council (GMC) registered and fully
accredited as well as being members of affiliated bodies and societies.

Recovery from your breast reduction

We provide a comprehensive aftercare package with all procedures.
When you return home after having breast reduction surgery it is essential
that you get adequate rest. However, you should not take to your bed but
remain gently mobile & active. You need to avoid bending, stooping, strenuous
exercise, lifting heavy objects, swimming and vacuuming for a minimum
of six weeks. You will need to take approximately one week off work.
However, everybody heals and recovers at different rates.

Your comprehensive after care

At the Royal Clinic we offer an unrivalled level of post-operative patient care
after your breast reduction procedure, with a 24 hour medical helpline.
We are dedicated to ensuring a fast recovery with an extensive aftercare
package that is available to you at no extra cost.

The package covers all post-operative instructions, care leaflets and
information, as well as details of all follow-up appointments with your Surgeon.

Breast Up-Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast lift (mastopexy) is usually performed for drooping breasts, which may
occur after a woman has had children. Mammograms (breast X-rays) and
a routine breast exam are required before surgery.

What is a mastopexy?

A breast uplift operation (mastopexy) is an operation to raise and re-shape
your breasts. In some cases, a breast enlargement or reduction procedure
may be performed at the same time. A breast uplift operation involves
removing the skin from underneath your breast or from around the areola
(area of dark tissue surrounding the nipple).

A keyhole-shaped incision above the areola is also made to define the new
location of the nipple. The skin and tissue of the breast is tightened and your
nipple is moved to a higher position to give a youthful and firm appearance.
A breast uplift typically requires an overnight stay in hospital and depending
on the extent of surgery required, the operation can take two hours or more.

Your breast uplift consultation

Your free breast uplift consultation is with an experienced Patient Co-ordinator. We will give you as much information as necessary to enable you to make an informed decision. You will have the opportunity to discuss detailed aspects of the breast uplift operation with your Surgeon. (If necessary you can even try a few implants under your clothes to see the size and shape that suits you)!
Our Surgeons are General Medical Council (GMC) registered and fully accredited as well as being members of affiliated bodies and societies.

Recovery from your breast uplift

We provide a comprehensive aftercare package with all procedures.
When you return home after having breast uplift surgery it is essential that you
get adequate rest. However, you should not take to your bed but remain gently
mobile and active. You need to avoid bending, stooping, strenuous exercise,
lifting heavy objects, swimming and vacuuming for a minimum of six weeks.
You will need to take approximately one week off work.
However, everybody heals and recovers at different rates.

Your comprehensive after care

At the Royal Clinic we offer an unrivalled level of post-operative patient care
after your breast reduction procedure, with a 24 hour medical helpline.
We are dedicated to ensuring a fast recovery with an extensive aftercare
package that is available to you at no extra cost.

The package covers all post-operative instructions, care leaflets and
information, as well as details of all follow-up appointments with your Surgeon.