Mammaplasty cosmetic surgery for a smaller bust

Procedure Summary

The early 20th century, with its ‘flapper girl’ fashion for bobbed hair, short skirts and a boyish figure, heralded the first breast-reduction operations. They were carried out to help women achieve the much-admired flat-chested frame without (as many had done) resorting to binding the breasts with tightly wrapped fabric around the chest to force the breasts down.

Who will benefit from a breast reduction?

On some occasions, breasts become enlarged due to fatty deposits within them. In this case, healthy dieting and regular exercise to reduce your overall weight could be the best way to reduce the size of your breasts.

Cosmetic surgery to reduce breast size is not performed just to improve physical appearance. Over-sized breasts can cause chronic physical discomfort, and the surgery is intended to relieve women of this pain and allow them to enjoy physical activities such as sports and jogging as well as everyday matters like being able to wear certain clothes. As one satisfied patient comments, “After undergoing plastic surgery to reduce the size of my breasts I found that I could sleep properly for the first time in years. Before the operation, lying in bed was so restricted that I was constantly disturbed.”

After a breast reduction procedure, the results are usually permanent. However, you should bear in mind  that if you gain weight or if there are hormone changes within your body your breasts may subsequently increase in size. Although women of any age can consider having a breast reduction, women who may want to breast feed in the future should discuss with their plastic surgeon the impact the surgery will have on their milk ducts.

What the procedure involves

During your initial consultation with the surgeon, it is crucial to convey why you wish to have your breasts reduced in size what and what results you expect from surgery. After examining your breasts and taking measurements, you should discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned. Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison at a later date.

The breast reduction operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic and will take between sixty and ninety minutes. Typically the procedure begins by the surgeon cutting around the areola (nipple area), down the breast and then underneath along the natural crease beneath the breast.

After removing the excess tissue and skin, the nipple and areola will be repositioned and skin from both sides of the breast will be pulled down and around the areola, making the new shape of the breast. Any excess fat can then be removed with the use of liposuction through the armpit area.

In some cases, techniques can be used that don’t involve cutting down the breast, causing much less scarring. When the operation is undertaken simply to remove fat from the breast, liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size, leaving very few scars.

Usually, the nipples remain attached to their blood vessels and nerves as they are being moved. However, if the breasts are very excessively large, the nipples and areolas may have to be completely removed and grafted into a higher position,  resulting in a loss of sensation.

Post-operation recovery process

Dressings will be placed on both breasts immediately after the surgery and a drainage tube inserted under each arm to remove excess fluid. Once the fluid has stopped draining (usually after no longer than 48 hours) the tubes are removed. Great care is taken to avoid infection with immediate treatment with antibiotics if necessary. Your breasts may feel sore and painful for a few days afterwards, especially if your nipples have been repositioned, but normal pain relief should deal with this.

“I stayed in hospital for two days after my breast reduction surgery, and took a fortnight off work,” said one patient. “After that, I followed advice to wear a properly fitted supporting bra for a few weeks, day and night, just to help the healing process.”

Very soon after the operation, the muscles in the back, neck and shoulders will start to realign after being relieved of the load they have been supporting, with normal activities, including sports, being resumed after 2 months.

Possible long-term side effects include the permanent loss of sensitivity around the nipple and areola, and, as mentioned earlier, there may be significant loss of milk ducts. In some women with very big breasts the operation can produce an asymmetry that may need a subsequent operation to correct it. As with all surgical procedures, there are risks involved which should be discussed with your surgeon prior to the operation.

Choosing a suitable surgeon for a breast reduction

A breast reduction procedure should be carried out by a surgeon with relevant skills and experience in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission. If it is considered that your breast reduction is a medical necessity, then you will qualify for surgery on the NHS. Otherwise, you can expect to pay something in-between £4,500 - £5,500 at a private clinic.

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Harley Medical Group

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