Who is a good candidate for breast reduction surgery?

Top Doctors recently had the pleasure of speaking with highly qualified and experienced consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Charles Durrant, who here in our latest article below, details who the ideal candidate for breast reduction surgery is, and what recovery time entails.

What is breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction is surgery to reduce the size of the breasts. The surgery has three main goals: to lift the nipple into a higher position on the breast, to remove excess breast tissue, and to reduce the skin of the breast in order to achieve a tighter, perkier breast mound.

It is, therefore, not just a reduction, but also an uplift at the same time. Large breasts can cause a number of problems such as back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as deep uncomfortable bra strap indentations, rashes beneath the breasts, and difficulty exercising.

Who is a good candidate for breast reduction surgery?

It is a suitable surgery for anyone who wishes to have smaller breasts and who is medically well enough for a general anaesthetic. The surgery takes under two hours to perform and is usually a day-case surgery procedure with no suction drains.

What are the potential risks and complications of breast reduction surgery?

All surgery carries risks such as bleeding, infection, and delays to healing, but these are kept to a minimum with careful techniques. The scars will be in an anchor shape around the nipple, down the breast, and in the crease of the breasts, although the overwhelming majority of patients find this a small price to pay for the vast benefits of the operation.

Fluid collections are limited by the use of a compression bra and there will likely be a change in sensation as the nipple is moved. While this change can be permanent in very large reductions, it usually returns to normal after several months.

In extremely rare circumstances, particularly with very large breasts that need to be made very small, it is possible to lose the blood supply to the nipple, requiring the nipple to be removed and replaced as a graft or even being lost altogether (although this is very rare indeed).

Will breast reduction surgery affect my ability to breastfeed in the future?

Depending on the amount of tissue remaining behind the nipple, it may be possible to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery. In most cases, breastfeeding is possible but may have to be supplemented with formula.

How long is the recovery period after breast reduction surgery?

It’s important to wear a good support bra day and night for six weeks after surgery to help shape the breast mound and protect the surgery and to avoid activities that move the breasts around too much during that time. Most people can return to work and drive by two weeks, with no restrictions at six weeks. 

To book a consultation with Mr Charles Durrant, head on over to his Top Doctors profile today.