Breast reduction FAQs: Your questions answered by a specialist

In this informative article, highly esteemed dual qualified consultant breast and plastic surgeon Miss Victoria Teoh shares her expert insight on breast reduction surgery, including guidance on when to undergo the procedure and how results may be affected by pregnancy or weight loss. The revered specialist also sheds light on common queries regarding breast reduction surgery, including nipple sensation and what type of results to expect.

How do I know if breast reduction is right for me?

In my experience, the women who benefit most from this type of surgery are the ones who come to see me because they feel that their breasts are disproportionately large to their body frame. Some, but not all, may experience upper back and neck pain, or grooving of their bra straps.

Many women tell me that they struggle to fit into clothes comfortably and in fact, may even be socially embarrassed by large breasts, hiding their upper body frame behind baggy clothes. Others also complain that their breast size limits their ability to exercise or do certain physical activities.

If some of these ideas resonate with you, I would suggest having a chat with a plastic surgeon about whether breast reduction surgery could be right for you.
 

What are some common misconceptions relating to breast reduction surgery?

One important factor to be aware of is that you may not get the precise cup size that you are hoping for. The reason for this relates more to bra manufacturers than it does breast reduction surgery, as women tend to find that sizing varies greatly between different high street shops.

Therefore, it’s important to have a dialogue with your surgeon about your goals for surgery. You can perhaps even look at some clinical photos of former breast reduction surgery patients to work out your preferences.
 

What is nipple sensation like after breast reduction surgery?

Right after surgery, one would expect that your nipple sensitivity is low. One reason for that is the local anaesthetic used in the procedure but some breast tissue has been resected (taken away) which affects the sensitivity of your nipple. This can improve with time but you should anticipate that you may not gain full sensitivity back. In other cases, some people complain about heightened sensitivity following breast reduction surgery.
 

Can I breastfeed after breast reduction surgery?

Women who have undergone breast reduction surgery, particularly where a lot of breast tissue has been removed, may find that their ability to breastfeed is impacted. If this is something that is part of your future, make sure you mention this to your surgeon as there are things we can do to limit this risk.
 

When will I be physically ready for breast reduction surgery?

if you're currently on an exercise regimen and you haven't quite reached your ideal body weight, it’s advisable to put off surgery until you've reached your target weight and have remained weight stable for at least one year.

If you go on to lose more weight after your surgery, your breasts can become very saggy and so it’s much better to have your ideal body weight stabilised before the procedure to achieve the outcome that you want.
 

Should I have breast reduction surgery before or after getting pregnant?

If you have decided to have a family later on in life, you may want to put off having breast reduction surgery. This is because your breasts can grow larger during pregnancy and breastfeeding, typically deflating in the period to follow.



If you are considering breast reduction surgery and wish to schedule a consultation with Miss Teoh, visit her Top Doctors profile today.