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What does a breast reduction operation involve?

BMI Healthcare is the UK’s largest private hospital group and is also one of the leading providers of cosmetic surgery. BMI Healthcare only work with experienced consultant surgeons, covering a wide range of specialist cosmetic treatments including breast enlargement, reduction and uplift, nose reshaping, face lift, brow lift, ear correction, thread vein treatment and tummy tuck.

From your initial enquiry, through to your first consultation with your consultant, all the way to the follow-up appointment after your procedure your safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns. BMI hospitals have built an enviable reputation for providing excellent medical and surgical facilities and a high standard of nursing care, within friendly and comfortable surroundings. With over 70 BMI hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide, there is bound to be one near you.

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Breast reduction surgery removes excess fat and skin from the breasts to reduce their size and volume. During a breast reduction operation, the surgeon makes an anchor-shaped incision that goes around the brown area around the nipple (the areola) and down the breast vertically towards the breast crease. It then continues around towards the underarm. Once the excess breast tissue is removed, it is often possible to leave the nipple and areola attached.

If the breasts are very large it may be necessary for the surgeon to detach the areola and nipple during breast reduction surgery, repositioning them to give a better appearance to the breasts. This may or may not affect sensation in the area after the breast reduction, and it could impair breast feeding in the future. Breast reduction information given in pre-surgery consultations includes details of specific long term effects.

The breast reduction operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic and takes between sixty and ninety minutes. Immediately after the surgery you will have dressings on both breasts and a drainage tube will be in place under each arm to remove excess fluid. These normally need to stay in place for a day or two, but sometimes longer is required. When fluid has stopped draining the tubes are removed.

It’s normal to feel tired and sometimes nauseas after a general anaesthetic but this wears off within twenty-four hours. Medicines are available to reduce pain and nausea. Care is taken to avoid infection with prompt treatment with antibiotics given when necessary. Women having breast reduction surgery normally stay in hospital for two days, and may be off work for two weeks.

Most centres advise women to wear a properly fitted supporting bra for several weeks day and night after breast reduction surgery, until healing is well underway.

Breast reduction information summary:

Procedure time	60-90 minutes
Anaesthetic	General
Time in hospital	Two nights
Time off work	Two weeks
Breasts feel sensitive for	2-4 weeks
Time for scar tissue to heal	6-18 months
Time to resumption of normal activities (including sports)	2 months

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