Breast Reduction

A breast reduction is usually performed to reduce the size of the breast.

An Introduction To Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is a common procedure that is conducted to reduce the size of the breasts. If a person is unhappy with the shape or weight of their breasts, either for cosmetic or practical reasons, having breast reduction surgery in Manchester can be transformative. This involves removing excess fat, tissue and skin from the breasts to create a proportionate bust. Often both the skin and the breast tissue need to be both lifted and reduced.

What To Expect During Your Breast Reduction Surgery Consultation in Manchester

The success of the breast reduction surgery consultation in Manchester depends on your openness and honesty in relation to what troubles you and your expectations of surgery. You will be asked questions about your health, desires and lifestyle to help us determine your breast reduction weight requirements and whether you’d be an ideal candidate. Different operations can be tailored to your needs and the potential outcomes and the risks and complications will be discussed with you during your consultation with a breast reduction surgeon. 

There are many options such as liposuction and different ways of placing scars, which your breast reduction surgeon will discuss to help find the right procedure for you and your lifestyle.

Preparing For Breast Reduction Surgery in Manchester

The majority of breast reduction procedures require a general anaesthetic. Your health is of prime importance and any cosmetic surgery should be postponed if you are unwell for any reason. It is essential that if anything changes with your health that you make contact with your breast reduction surgeon in Manchester. You should ideally stop smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery and stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements before you breast reduction.

You may need preoperative tests prior to surgery, which we will arrange if required. You will generally experience discomfort following the surgery and should aim to be off work for at least 2 weeks depending on the industry you work in. It is important that you are at your ideal weight prior to breast reduction surgery in Manchester and that your weight is stable. Results can alter considerably with weight loss and weight gain.

The Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery in Manchester often takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours and is usually done under general anaesthetic. Breast reduction surgery normally involves the placement of an incision around the areola and usually a vertical line from the areola down to the breast crease. Occasionally an incision is required along the breast crease also.

The excess breast tissue is removed and the breast reshaped. The skin is then draped over the new breast and the incisions are then closed with dissolvable stitches. Often liposuction is performed as part of the breast reduction surgery to reduce certain areas of the breast in order to give an improved contour. This is most often performed where there are perceived areas of irregularity. With every breast reduction surgery in Manchester, there is also an element of lift and it is important to discuss the ideal size for you and your frame.

What to Expect After Breast Reduction Surgery in Manchester

You will usually return to the ward within an hour following the breast reduction surgery in Manchester and you will be encouraged to mobilise. You will usually not have drains in place and you will be able to eat, drink and mobilise as soon as the anesthesia wears off. You will feel swollen and have discomfort that will usually require analgesia.

You should wear a support bra and keep this in place, day and night, for at least 4 weeks during your breast reduction recovery period. You may be able to go home the next day and should keep the wounds dry for the next week. You should arrange for someone to collect you up following breast reduction surgery in Manchester and have some support at home on discharge. Your surgery will be reviewed in the clinic by your breast reduction surgeon and the incision areas will be checked a week after surgery. You should avoid any strenuous exercise in the first couple of weeks and should continue to wear a support bra for 4-6 weeks after surgery. You will be able to resume light exercises after a week and normal exercise by 2-3 weeks, but breast reduction surgery recovery time can vary depending on each patient.

You should begin massage to the scar once healed. The pictures (1-4) shows a patient who underwent a breast reduction/mastopexy, showing the appearance at a week, at 6 weeks and at 2 years. Bruising and swelling is often apparent through the initial weeks and redness and discharge are not unusual. It can take many months to years for the scars to fade.

Breast Reduction Surgery Risks And Complications

The vast majority of patients are delighted with the procedure but it’s important to be aware of breast reduction surgery risks. Common early complaints include change in sensation, bruising, swelling and there is often a slight difference between the two sides. Often there is slight oozing from the wounds over the first week and this is normal. Uncommon early complications include infection, hematoma, delayed healing, seroma formation and thickened scar. Nipple and areola loss has been described but is extremely uncommon.

Breastfeeding may be affected by surgery and if you have not completed your family you should consider this before proceeding with breast reduction surgery in Manchester. There are also uncommon risks of general anaesthesia such as respiratory/cardiac compromise and deep vein thrombosis.

Sensation usually changes following breast reduction and the nipples may be hyper or hypo sensitive. It is uncommon to have permanent numbness but sensation can take a number of months to return.

The scars following breast reduction surgery can be red for a number of weeks/months after surgery and it can take some time before the scars start turning pink/purple and then start fading into a white line. It is unusual to develop abnormal scars and unusual to have irregularities requiring a scar revision. Any revisions in the scars should not be considered for at least a year following breast reduction surgery. 

If you have any concerns, it is vital that you contact your breast reduction surgeon in Manchester. 

Implications For Mammograms And Screening

You need to be aware that 1 in 10 women do develop breast cancer and if you find a discrete lump you should consult your GP.  If you find a lump or you are at an age to enter a breast-screening program you may be offered a mammogram. You need to tell the mammography service that you have had a breast reduction although it will not change your management.

Are There Any Alternatives To Breast Reduction

The only alternative surgical technique to breast reduction surgery as described above is to perform breast liposuction only to the breast. Very occasionally this may reduce the breast enough that patients are happy with the outcome. Liposuction does not lift the nipple and does not alter the shape and patients need to discuss the pros and cons of this before considering it as an option.

Why Choose Gary Ross MBChB, MD, FRCS, (Plast) For Your Breast Reduction in Manchester?

Gary Ross is a full member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS);  British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Association of Breast Surgeons (ABS), British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) and is a fully accredited plastic surgeon on the General Medical Council’s specialist register for plastic surgery. Gary Ross is a highly experienced Breast Reduction surgeon in Manchester, so you will be in the safest environment possible for your procedure.

Breast Reduction FAQ's

Having breast reduction surgery in Manchester can have a positive influence on a person's confidence. In terms of practicality, breast reduction surgery can help to reduce pain in the shoulders, neck and back, as the weight can be reduced. Another benefit is that when the size of the breast is reduced, the occurrence of chafing, rashes and infections are less common.

Exercise is also easier and more comfortable when the size of the breast is smaller. Finding clothes that fit comfortably is also more simple.

A breast reduction in Manchester can give both functional and aesthetic improvements that can often improve the quality of life. It is rare for patients to be unhappy with surgical outcomes and although there are complications that can occur these are very rare in Mr Ross’s practice.

Mr Ross has a less than 1% complication/revision rate for breast reduction and patients regularly complete online reviews regarding the successful outcomes of their breast reduction procedure in Manchester. There are many examples of Mr Ross’s outcomes within the
case studies. When looking at these examples it is important to look at preoperative pictures that are similar to yourself of what can be achieved.

The only alternative surgical technique to breast reduction surgery as described above is to perform breast liposuction only to the breast. Very occasionally this may reduce the breast enough that patients are happy with the outcome. Liposuction does not lift the nipple and does not alter the shape, patients need to discuss the pros and cons of this before considering it as an option.

During a consultation with your breast reduction surgeon in Manchester, the best procedure for you can be established.

Although it is possible for breasts to grow back after a breast reduction this is very unusual. There are certain medications that can lead to an increase in breast tissue. By far the commonest reason for an increase in breast size following breast reduction is pregnancy and weight gain. For patients who have not completed their family, it is important to consider the pros and cons of proceeding with a breast reduction as the chances of breastfeeding are likely to be reduced slightly by surgery.

Mr Ross uses a superiorly based pedicle for the majority of his breast reduction surgeries in Manchester and as such, it would be possible to further reduce the breasts should this occur. Patients are advised to be at their ideal weight prior to surgery and be weight stable. If they have not completed their family to consider the pros and cons before proceeding.

The best time to have breast reduction surgery in Manchester is when you have completed your family and you have reached a weight that you will maintain. Childbirth and weight loss or gain will have an impact on your breasts, in terms of the shape and size, so waiting until your body will not be experiencing significant changes is important.

With time breast tissue continues to age. It may be that further surgery to tighten the skin is required at a later date. With weight fluctuations, the breasts can increase and decrease in size and the results can change with time. It is very rare for breasts to increase to a size where one would need a further reduction although this cannot be 100% guaranteed.

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