Breast reduction surgery has become increasingly more common in recent years, especially in cities like Manchester and others throughout the UK. At Reflect Clinic in Manchester, we have helped many patients increase their confidence and their quality of life through cosmetic surgery.
Breast reduction surgery can help to give you more freedoms to exercise, for example, you may find it easier to go jogging or running afterwards so that you can have a more active and comfortable lifestyle.
Patients have said that they have loved going shopping for a new wardrobe of clothes and underwear as they don’t have to hide behind baggy jumpers anymore and they can wear dresses that they couldn’t buy to fit previously as their top half matches their bottom half in dress sizes.
What is a breast reduction?
A breast reduction is a form of surgery to reduce and lessen the size and weight of your breasts. Breast reduction is the ideal procedure for women who are looking to reduce their breast size, looking to go down a cup size (or a few), or to reduce their volume.
Breast reduction surgery can often be carried out in an operation that lasts about 2 to 2 1/2 hours and is the ideal procedure for women who feel that their breasts are too big and effects their life in ways that a reduction would improve.
Often when a patient undergoes breast reduction surgery with Reflect Clinic they tend to find that they have less problems with backache or bra straps that cut in to their shoulders. They can also take advantage of shopping on the internet or high street which offer a greater choice when it comes to choosing underwear or outerwear in their new size.
Breast reduction surgery is often carried out with a breast uplift, which is a procedure to give your breasts a more perky appearance.
Thinking of Having Breast Reduction Surgery in Manchester?
If you are considering having breast reduction surgery, the first thing you would need to do is book an appointment at our Manchester clinic, where you will have an initial meeting with a plastic surgeon such as our lead surgeon, Gerard Lambe. This is where you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, your background, and why you believe that you would like to have breast reduction surgery. You will also be able to ask any general questions (or questions that may be specific to you) about the procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we understand this may be a new experience and you may be out of your comfort zone discussing something that has bothered you and you have probably thought about it for a long time. We are here to help, guide and support you throughout the process, so ask away!
After your initial meeting, you will then come in for a first consultation at our Manchester clinic at Spire Hospital in Didsbury. Here, your plastic surgeon, Mr Lambe, will talk you through the plan for you and what is the procedure for your breast reduction. Again, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to make sure this is the right procedure, and the right time, for you.
You can then have a second consultation, before the surgery is arranged. During this consultation you will have the opportunity to confirm the amount of reduxtion you would like. Your plastic surgeon will go through some pre-op procedures such as, taking pre-op photographs, signing a consent to surgery form, providing you with any other information you may need to ensure everything will run smoothly on the day itself.
What’s involved in breast reduction surgery?
On the day of your breast redution surgery, you will come down to our clinic in Manchester, where you will speak with your plastic surgeon. This is an opportunity to ask any final questions you may have about the surgery.
The breast reduction surgery can take between 2 and 2 1/2 hours, and will be carried out under general anaesthetic.
For the operation itself on the morning of surgery your surgeon will come and mark you up which means planning the operation by writing on your skin using a special felt tip pen (called marking up). This is an important part of breast surgery when planning the new position of the nipples and the extent of the skin and glands to be removed.
Will I have to stay in overnight?
For breast reduction surgery you will need to stay in hospital overnight after your surgery so that your breasts can be monitored for any swelling or bleeding post op and to ensure that you are recovering well.
If you are travelling to the clinic, from a distance, you can speak to our Clinic Manager Jayne who can help to arrange transport and accommodation nearby for you, to make your process a lot more comfortable and relaxing for you.
How long does a breast reduction take to heal?
It can take several weeks to recover from breast reduction surgery. The first 3 days following the surgery, can be the most uncomfortable for most. You shouldn’t drive for 3 weeks after your surgery and you may need to take around 2 weeks off work, however, if you are unsure of whether it’s suitable for you to return to work, please don’t hesitate to ask your plastic surgeon.
You should be cautious when doing exercise for up to 8 weeks after your surgery.
Your plastic surgeon will review you in the clinic 10-14 days later and remove the dressings and inspect the wounds. If all is well then you will usually have a much lighter dressing applied and then a plan to review your progress in about 4 weeks and then 3 months time. It is important in the post operative period to avoid anything rubbing or pressing on the wounds and so I ask that you wear a soft and supportive sports bra with no under wiring until I am happy that all wounds have settled nicely.
You can find out more about breast reduction surgery on our dedicated page
So, if you are thinking about having breast reduction surgery in Manchester, please don’t hesitate to call the team at Reflect Clinic Manchester with any questions or to book your consultation today!