Over 35 years of expert care

Best Clinic Group UK & Trustpilot 5 star

Nationwide Clinics

Award winning treatment plans

Over 35 years of expert care

Best Clinic Group UK & Trustpilot 5 star

Nationwide Clinics

Award winning treatment plans

Breast Reduction

Surgical Breast Reduction, or Mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthetic.

Renowned Plastic Surgeons based in the UK

Most comprehensive 3 year breast surgery cover

24 hour patient helpline & Outstanding hospital facilities

Renowned Plastic Surgeons based in the UK

Most comprehensive 3 year breast surgery cover

24 hour patient helpline & Outstanding hospital facilities

Home » Cosmetic Surgery » Breast Surgery » Breast Reduction

What's on this page

Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Advisory Committee for The Private Clinic.

Last Reviewed July 16th 2020

Related Cosmetic Surgery

If your breasts are causing you health or cosmetic problems, Surgical Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty) might be the best option for you. Overly large breasts are not only a nuisance to some women, but also the cause of physical discomfort, pain, and for some, a lack of confidence and self-esteem. Surgical breast reduction at The Private Clinic is a popular and effective procedure for large, heavy and sagging breasts.

Surgical Breast Reduction, or Mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthetic. Fat, glandular tissue and skin are removed from your breasts, which are then reshaped and the nipples re-positioned. It is therefore suitable for a wide range of candidates, regardless of age. A breast reduction is a more invasive procedure and can require an overnight stay in hospital, as well as a resting period of 2-3 weeks and 6 weeks in total for recovery following surgery.

The biggest advantage of a breast reduction is that your surgeon is able to completely change the shape of your breasts and lift them. Your nipples can also be re-positioned in proportion to your new breast size.

Surgical Breast Reduction is ideal for those whose breasts contain more glandular tissue than fat. If you have sagging or empty breasts, or are unhappy about the shape of your breasts or the positioning of your nipples, a Mammoplasty and Mastopexy procedure may be the best way forward. Other patients may require both a reduction and augmentation using implants.

It is not uncommon for men to have an enlarged chest area, known as gynaecomastia. Read more information about male chest reduction.

Breast reduction surgery at The Private Clinic is performed by some of the UK’s top consultant plastic surgeons. Our specialised breast surgeons are available to meet at our clinics in: London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Manchester, Leeds and Northampton or our patient coordinators at our consulting rooms in Milton Keynes where you will be able to find out more about the procedure before meeting with a surgeon.

Procedure Time

2 - 3 hours

Washing

1 week

Sexual Activity

4 - 6 weeks

Travel

6 weeks

Support Garments

Surgical Bra to be worn for 6 weeks

Anaesthetic Type

General Anaesthetic

Driving

2 weeks

Back to work

2 weeks

Full Recovery Time

6 weeks

Sleeping

Sleeping elevated on back for 6 weeks

Hospital Stay

Overnight

Up & Mobile

1 day

Exercise

6 weeks

Final Results

6 - 12 months

The Reasons for Choosing a Breast Reduction

Breast reduction procedures are performed to reduce the size, weight and volume of your breasts, while enhancing their shape and overall aesthetic appearance. It is quite common for women to have a Mastopexy or breast uplift, procedure in conjunction with the reduction procedure.

You might consider a breast reduction due to the physical discomfort you may be suffering from having large breasts. Common physical problems associated with large breasts are:

Backache and neck pain
Grooves on the shoulders from bra straps
An inability to take part in sports
Poor posture
Excessive sweating, rashes and skin infections under the breasts

What are the advantages of a breast reduction?

Exercise more freely, for example go jogging with little pain or discomfort
Dress in more shapely clothing and wear fashionable clothing
No more back and shoulder aches and pain
Easier to shop for bras and more selection to choose from

as seen in

Before & After

Our expert surgeons and medical staff offer leading breast surgery procedures.
Take a look at the Before and After photos to see how we have helped change our patients’ lives.

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What to Expect

The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 35 years with thousands of women placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert breast surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.

Consultation
Pre-Operation
The Procedure
Aftercare

The Consultation

All breast reduction procedure journeys will start with an expert surgeon-led consultation.

During this consultation they will:

Give detailed information about the breast reduction procedure
Review your medical history
Examine and measure your breasts
Discuss your expectations from surgery
Detail the risks and complications of breast reduction surgery
Go through the aftercare and recovery process

You will then be allocated a dedicated patient coordinator who will be your point of contact should you wish to go ahead with the procedure.
During your journey you may decide to have several consultations with your plastic surgeon and their nursing team before deciding to go ahead with surgery.

Pre-Operative Appointment

In the interests of patient safety all our patients are assessed against our patient selection criteria. Following your breast reduction consultation your medical history will be reviewed and the pre-operative nurse will advise on pre-operative tests. Most breast reduction pre-operative assessments include a blood test, MRSA swabs, urine test and a blood pressure test.

They will also advise you of any precautions you need to take in the days or weeks leading up to your breast reduction procedure and advise on any medication that you should stop taking ahead of your procedure.

Breast Reduction Surgery

You will be given information ahead of your procedure detailing an arrival time for surgery which is usually an hour before your scheduled surgery start time. Breast reduction procedures are performed under general anaesthetic and usually take around 2-3 hours. Patients may be required to stay overnight following surgery, but this will be confirmed ahead of your surgery date.

On arrival:

The nursing team will record your blood pressure and prep you for surgery.
You will meet with the surgeon who will go through the procedure again and answer any questions.
Pre-operative photos will be taken.
Your chest will be marked up ready for surgery.

The Procedure:

General anaesthetic will be administered by the anaesthesiologist.
Your surgeon will either use an anchor, vertical or circumareolar incision depending on the technique they have selected to use.
Excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed to reduce the size of each breast.
The nipple and areola are re-located higher up on the chest to give a more uplifted appearance to the chest.
The breast is then reshaped to result in a smaller breast size.
The incisions are closed with absorbable stitches and tape is put in place to protect them.
A surgical bra will be put on for you to wake up in.
You will then be taken back to your room where you may be required to stay overnight for observation.
Once the surgeon and nursing team are happy that you are safe to return home, you will be discharged and allowed to leave accompanied by a family member or friend.

After your breast reduction procedure

A member of our nursing team will call you usually the day following your procedure to ensure you are well following your procedure. You will have information on how to contact your clinic or on-call nursing team should you have any worries or concerns at any point 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during your recovery time.
When you are discharged from the hospital, you will be provided with aftercare information from your surgeon to follow.
We recommend that you take at least 2 weeks off work and avoid strenuous exercise for at least 6 weeks. You should be resting and taking it easy, however it is important to keep active and make sure to get up for regular short walks but do not try to do too much. You should arrange for someone to help you around the house and to help with childcare if necessary.
An appointment will be made for an incision and wound check usually 4-12 days following your breast reduction procedure. A 6-week follow-up appointment will then also be arranged with your surgeon. At this stage you should be back to your everyday activities, but your surgeon will be able to advise you on anything that you are unsure of.

Consultation

The Consultation

All breast reduction procedure journeys will start with an expert surgeon-led consultation.

During this consultation they will:

Give detailed information about the breast reduction procedure
Review your medical history
Examine and measure your breasts
Discuss your expectations from surgery
Detail the risks and complications of breast reduction surgery
Go through the aftercare and recovery process

Pre Op

Pre-Operative Appointment

The Procedure

Breast Reduction Surgery

On arrival:

The nursing team will record your blood pressure and prep you for surgery.
You will meet with the surgeon who will go through the procedure again and answer any questions.
Pre-operative photos will be taken.
Your chest will be marked up ready for surgery.

The Procedure:

General anaesthetic will be administered by the anaesthesiologist.
Your surgeon will either use an anchor, vertical or circumareolar incision depending on the technique they have selected to use.
Excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed to reduce the size of each breast.
The nipple and areola are re-located higher up on the chest to give a more uplifted appearance to the chest.
The breast is then reshaped to result in a smaller breast size.
The incisions are closed with absorbable stitches and tape is put in place to protect them.
A surgical bra will be put on for you to wake up in.
You will then be taken back to your room where you may be required to stay overnight for observation.
Once the surgeon and nursing team are happy that you are safe to return home, you will be discharged and allowed to leave accompanied by a family member or friend.

Aftercare

After your breast reduction procedure

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FAQs

Breast reduction surgery is not commonly performed on anyone under the age of 18 this is because your breasts are still growing before this stage and it best to wait until they have stopped before having the procedure. If you are struggling with the size of your breasts then this procedure can reduce the size making things like buying clothing and playing sports a lot easier as well as helping with back pain issues that may be caused by the weight of your breasts.

Patients with large breasts may experience; • Pain in the back, neck and shoulders • Drooping of the breasts • Low self-confidence about having larger breasts • Difficulty getting clothing to fit • Poor posture • Bra straps digging in • Sweating underneath the breast • Difficulty participating in sport activities If any of the above symptoms relate then a breast reduction procedure may be able to help resolve it.

You should notice a change to the size and weight of your breasts immediately after surgery. There will be swelling for the first couple of weeks which will alter the appearance of your breasts. The best results can be seen after at least 6 weeks.

The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide so we are sure to have an expert breast surgeon located near to you. Our clinics are in; • London – 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ • Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT • Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands • Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire • Buckinghamshire – Stokenchurch Medical Center Oxford Road, HP14 3SX – South East England • Bristol – 92c Whiteladies Road, BS8 2QN – Clifton • Northampton – 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands We also have consulting rooms in Milton Keynes where you can have consultations with one of our patient coordinators. To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

Breast Reduction is Available in these Clinics

London Harley Street

Birmingham

Manchester

Bristol

Leeds

Northampton

Things to Consider

Our advice on what to consider when deciding to have a breast reduction procedure:

1. When choosing a clinic, you should always do your research, and only go to an established, reputable clinic.

The Private Clinic has been in the cosmetic surgery industry for over 35 years. We are here to answer all of your questions and give you peace of mind.

2. When choosing a surgeon, make sure you know who you’ll be seeing. Their expertise, qualifications and patient satisfaction rate are important factors to take into consideration.

At The Private Clinic, we only source the most experienced and specialised surgeons. Find out more about our plastic surgeons here.

3. Price should never be the deciding factor when choosing where to have your treatment. Safety should be your number one priority and feeling confident that they will look after you – not only before, but also after your procedure

4. When it sounds too good to be true, it often is. Always find out what your clinic’s reputation is.

Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound shape.

Patient Stories

Outstanding care, patient satisfaction and results mean everything to The Private Clinic Team

“I don’t have any body hangs ups now, I feel very confident again and can wear whatever I like.”

Breast Reduction – Emily

Monica Daniel

2020-12-25

Excellent treatment guided by Dr.Nicholas Kalavrezos and the Anaesthesia Team led by Dr Martinez. It was mg first time under General A and I wasn’t too excited. From start to finish all the nurses were superb, the room was clean and my food was also yummy. Sometimes it pays to sort your Private Medical Insurance our. The surgery was booked in less than a week after my 2nd consultation. MRSA and Covid Test also were done prior. I can not recommend The Harley Street Clinic enough. Thank you everyone. Regards Monica

Aless

2020-12-21

I had an eye vein removed by laser , I’m very happy with the results ,I still need a check up Marie is very kind and said on my next visit she will laser the vein if it’s not gone , but so far so good the big part of the vein has gone. but unfortunately iv not been able to get to London because of the COVID, so hopefully I can go for my check up next year.

Rob

2020-12-21

Great experience. Had two operations with these guys and great service, really put you at ease on the day, great post op support and amazing results! Cannot recommend highly enough

Theo Bundock

2020-12-19

Very friendly and helpful, very happy with the service.

Michael Neslund

2020-12-17

Had a FUE hair transplant on 16 December with Dr Furqan Raja. He and the two nurses he worked with were fantastic! They made me feel very comfortable throughout the procedure and constantly checked in with me. I had 1700 grafts taken from the back of my head and put into the front where I had gone bald either side of my windows peak. It took a bit longer than I thought (about 8.5 hours) but this was due to the high quality, attention to detail and best result they wanted to achieve for me. I had the procedure done at the Leeds clinic but could have chosen Manchester too. I travelled two hours there and back in one day. I am now following the after care information they gave me and also the full kit of products they provided (all included in the price) to help me make sure I look after the new grafts properly. I have follow up appointments with the nurse and access to an emergency on call nurse 24/7 if required. But so far, I have no pain and everything is exactly as described to me in advance of the procedure. I did a LOT of research online and found many of the other national FUE/FUT hair transplant clinics too sales driven and very pushy. Dr Furqan Raja and the team at the private clinic gave me time and space to decide on what was right for me, and importantly they never sold to me but just answered all my questions in a professional, caring and trustworthy manor. This is why I chose them and looking at the early results I am pleased I did! If you speak to other clinics and do your research, make sure you also book a consultation with The Private Clinic. Alex Clair in Manchester was my Patient Coordinator and he went out of his way to help me and gave me lots of free, practical and helpful information up front. Their straightforward, honest and friendly approach was great throughout. Highly recommended Dr Furqan Raja, Alex Clair and the whole team.

Sophie Veerasawmy

2020-12-17

All of a sudden I noticed these veins under my eyes, it was soooo upsetting to see everyday! I didn’t think I could do anything about them. Until I googled and it came up with Harley street and they did removal of under eye veins. I rang the them up and they was so helpful! And from there I was booked in and was so happy to know I can get something done! Everytime I called up nothing was a problem and was always happy to talk to me and answer any questions I had. When it came to the day of the procedure, Marie was so calming and made me feel as relaxed as possible. It was a little uncomfortable but soooo worth it as the results are amazing! Very happy I chose Harley street for the this treatment! Thankyou so much!

Faiz

2020-12-16

Amazing, Brilliant service!!

Zeina

2020-12-15

I had a laser treatment with Maria at The private clinic. She’s very professional and very experience. the result is amazing!! Thank you Maria

Miss Kelly Phillips

2020-12-15

I had treatment with Nurse Marie. She was so kind. The first treatment was rather painful and when I came in for my second round I was very nervous. Marie was so caring, she totally understood and took her time treating. Would definitely recommend.

GlenFGee GeeB

2020-12-15

Anti – aging treatments with Dr Santa Cruz are a must for me. I have been seeing her for about 3 years now at the Private Clinic of Harley Street. Very knowledgeable and takes before and after photos which have been incredibly helpful when we want to see how much of a difference the treatment has made. I would highly recommend her as her treatments are 100% effective and painless. Also I feel safe with the covid -safe measures they have in place.