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.

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.

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.

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.