Breast Reduction

You are overweight, with a BMI of over 32, smoke or vape, are in bad health and are taking anti-coagulant medication or are diabetic.

There can be many reasons for a patient to seek a consultation for a Breast Reduction but the symptoms that are frequently reported to me are back pain, bra straps digging in, deep shoulder grooves, problems with finding clothes to fit on both the top and bottom half, sometimes the skin beneath the breasts can be quite sore and often it can lead to poor posture either because the patient is self-aware or because of the sheer weight of the breasts. A Breast Reduction can help to reduce or eliminate some or all of these symptoms.

Ideally, you should be in good general health, a non-smoker, non-vaper, not taking any medications that may make you bleed or lead to problems with wound healing and are not planning to get pregnant or breastfeed in the future.

I will nearly always see a patient for 2 consultations before proceeding with a Breast Reduction. This is because there is a lot of information regarding the risks and benefits of surgery and I like to give my patients time to think it over and to write down any questions they may have about the surgery. It is sometimes helpful to look at pre and post op pictures here on my website and also on other sites such as Realself.com It can sometimes be necessary to combine a Breast Reduction and a Breast Uplift (Mastopexy) as well as a Breast Augmentation (in some challenging cases) in order to achieve the final result that a patient desires. It may seem strange to talk of a Breast Enlargement as well a Breast Reduction, but a breast implant can be used to create fullness in the upper part of the breast while removing the lower part of the breast in a reduction in order to gain a certain shape and size that some patients like. This is why I require 2 consultations with many patients to discuss all of the different options in order to select the best one for them. This is also a good way to communicate to me what sort of result you would (or wouldn’t like) to have. You will have a detailed informed consent form provided after the first consultation and you should read this thoroughly and write down any questions you may have.

On the morning of surgery I will come and mark you up which means planning the operation by writing on the skin using a special felt tip pen. 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. A Breast Reduction is done under General Anaesthetic ie asleep. It generally takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete the surgery. I do not use drains and I use all dissolving stitches. A small reduction may mean that you are able to go home the same day but if it is a larger reduction then I prefer you to stay in hospital for one night to ensure you are comfortable and the breasts can be monitored for swelling or bleeding.

You will be seen the next day by me in your chosen hospital to monitor your breasts and then allowed to go home with a plan to be reviewed in 10-14 days to check the wounds. It is important to keep the wounds clean and dry and to rest at home. You must ensure you keep yourself mobile by having a short 5 minute walk every hour as this reduces the risk of post operative clots.

I 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.

All operations have the potential for complications and a Breast Reduction is no exception. The most frequently seen issues are in the small area where a scar meets the chest wall which can sometimes be a little slower to heal. Poor scarring is a risk in any surgery and is not under the control of the Surgeon. A risk that is always discussed is the potential of loss of a nipple. This is because the nipple has to be moved and it needs to carry a healthy blood supply with it. If the blood supply does not feed the nipple then there can be problems with healing or loss of the nipple. This is something I have very rarely seen in my whole career and is more common if a Breast Reduction is being repeated and the Surgeon does not have the information regarding the previous surgery available to them.

The vast majority of patients are delighted with the results of their Breast Reduction surgery and wish they had done it sooner! It can be a truly life-changing procedure for some patients leading to a new lease of life with increased confidence and a whole new wardrobe!

A breast reduction reduces the size and weight of ladies breasts using a carefully planned pattern of scarring. The nipple is often sitting in a low position in ladies who have larger breasts and this is also lifted at the same time to create a pleasing natural appearance.

The procedure is done under GA (General Anaesthesia) so you will be asleep and takes approximately 2hrs.

It is not possible to promise a cup size but Mr Lambe will do his very best to produce the size and shape of breasts you desire. There are limitations to what can be achieved and this will be discussed fully with you consultation.

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) is a very rare cancer that MAY be associated with breast implant capsules. Approximately only 3 in 100 million women in the US are diagnosed per year. The relationship between breast implants and ALCL is unclear and is currently under investigation.

For an uplift you can usually be a day case. For a reduction, depending on the size of the reduction, you may need to stay overnight in the hospital and you should arrange for someone to pick you up the next day.

Generally you will need to have some help with shopping and childcare for the first week at a minimum as it is advisable not to lift anything heavy while your wounds are healing.

You should wear a supportive sports bra with no underwiring after your surgery as the wiring can rub in wounds and cause them to break down. Front fastening bras are often easier to use after surgery so you are not stretching behind you.

If you have any cause for concern after your surgery such as dressings being soiled or increasing pain and redness, then you should contact the hospital on the number provided on your discharge notes. Mr Lambe will also review you in the clinic 2 weeks after surgery and remove your dressings and check the wounds are healing nicely.

Unfortunately, breast feeding is highly unlikely to be possible after this surgery.

You will need a private consultation to discuss your personal requirements as everyone is different.

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