Private Breast Reduction Surgery

A breast reduction is done under general anaesthetic, so you'll be asleep. It can be carried out on women and men. There are different ways for the surgery to be done, but usually it involves moving your nipple, removing excess tissue and skin, and reshaping your breast. All procedures will leave a scar. The operation takes between one and four hours, depending on the extent of your surgery.

Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you. Make sure you chat through any concerns you have about the procedure with your consultant beforehand. As you'll be having a general anaesthetic, your consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking before your operation. You won't be able to drive following the procedure so you should arrange for someone to help you get home afterwards.

You'll be cared for in hospital for one to two nights following your operation. You will have dressings on your breasts and plastic drains to remove any fluid. You may need a couple of weeks off work to recover. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including driving, exercise and work. It can take up to six weeks to fully recover. A breast reduction operation does leave scars, around the nipple and under the breast. They will fade within 18 months but they'll never go away completely. Your scars may be red to start with but they should fade to white over time.