Breast Reduction
If you would like any further information or to make an appointment for a full consultation, please contact Eve McRae on 01793 816044 or e-mail me at ridgewaybreastcare@bmihealthcare.co.uk . I look forward to hearing from you.
Continue breast self-examination and you will soon get to know how your breasts feel. If you should notice any changes inform your GP. It is important to tell the radiographer when having a mammogram that your breasts have been reduced.
I will review you in clinic 2 weeks and 6 weeks after surgery. There is no follow up charge to see me. I will take photographs at these consultations.
Once you are at home after surgery, it is important to check your wounds. I would advise that you carry out normal breast checks and become ‘breast aware’ – by getting to know what your breasts look and feel like so you know what is normal for you. If your breasts become red, swollen and painful or there is a discharge, you need to contact me or Charlayne Harding.
Initially your breasts will feel tender and you may not feel up to physical contact. However, you may resume your sex life as soon as you feel comfortable.
Many sports can be resumed within a couple of weeks, but if the sport involves strenuous upper body movements, for example aerobics, golf, swimming and any racquet sports, you should recommence these activities gradually about a month after surgery.
Depending on the type of work that you do, you may be able to return to work within two to three weeks. You may feel quite tired at first. This is quite normal, and I suggest you talk to your employer about making a gradual return to work.
You should be able to return to most of your normal activities within two to four weeks after your surgery, although this will vary from person to person.
I recommend that you build up gradually to more strenuous tasks such as housework or gardening. You may need to ask someone to help you for the first couple of days as it is important that you get plenty of rest and that you set aside some time during the day for this.
You will need to wear a good, supporting, non-wired, sports-type bra continuously for a short period of time following surgery, as this will help with reducing the swelling and help the breasts settle into their new shape. You must not lift heavy objects or play any strenuous sports for the first two to three weeks.
When you wake up after the surgery, you will be in the recovery area. The nursing staff are very experienced and they will ensure that your recovery is as pain-free as possible. Painkillers will be given to you on a regular basis for as long as you need them. The operation does not usually cause much pain afterwards, although some tightness and bruising may cause discomfort. Please tell the nurses if your pain persists.
Surgery takes between 90 minutes and four hours. You may be required to stay in hospital for up to three, although most women only need to stay one night.
I will use a pen to mark the areas of the skin where the incisions (surgical cuts) will be made. With your permission, I may also photograph your breasts for confidential before and after images for your records.
Most breast reduction surgeries begin with the nipple, which is moved to its new position, usually while still attached to the blood supply. If you have extremely large breasts, the nipples may be removed and repositioned as a skin graft. They will naturally develop their own blood supply.
Excess skin and breast tissue are then removed. The remaining breast tissue is reshaped to create smaller and more elevated breasts.
Although every effort will be made to make your breasts equal in size and shape, you may find that there is a small difference between the two breasts. This is quite normal, but if you have any concerns or questions please talk to me.
There has been evidence that suggests the amount of milk produced may be reduced in some women.
As a result of the surgery, there may be a decrease in or loss of nipple sensation. Occasionally, the nipple sensation will be increased for a period of three to six months following surgery, and may be painful.
Any operation will leave a permanent scar. Even without any problems, the scar, at first, will look red, slightly lumpy and raised. Regular massage of the scar with a light non-perfumed moisturising cream around 2 weeks after surgery helps. If you have a tendency to produce scars that are raised and itchy, please discuss this with me.
A blood clot in the legs. This is a potential complication following surgery and bed rest. Occasionally clots can break off and pass into the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolus. All patients are given compression stockings/socks, to try to prevent this problem.
A collection of blood around the prosthesis, which may occur after surgery. In some cases, you may require a drain, which is a thin plastic tube attached to a bottle. This would be removed before you are discharged. Even with this care, blood sometimes collects and the breast becomes swollen and painful. A second operation a day or two after the first may be necessary to remove the haematoma.
You may feel some pain for the first few days, especially as you move around. There may be further discomfort for a week or more. Regular medication will be prescribed to help with the pain.
It is important that you are completely satisfied that you have been given all the information you need and that you fully understand the risks and benefits of you surgery, before you sign your consent form. You can change your mind at anytime before surgery.
If you are taking the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy, you do not need to stop taking this medication.
As smoking has adverse effects on blood flow to surgical sites, as well as your heart, lungs and skin, I would not recommend having this operation unless you have completely stopped for at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.
The same applies for the use of nicotine replacement therapy, as although this will reduce the craving for a cigarette, the nicotine will also reduce the ability of the blood to carry enough oxygen to the tissues.
You will receive an appointment before your surgery to assess your general health and fitness before surgery by tests and investigations including blood tests, ECG (electrocardiogram – heart tracing) and discussing your current medication and any allergies you may have, and information about your planned treatment and about the hospital services.
- The hospital stay is normally overnight.
- You should arrange help with shopping, housework and care of small children and pets, as you will not be able to manage these on your own for at least a week after surgery.
- You will not be able to drive immediately after your operation, or do heavy lifting for a few weeks.
Our consultation will involve an informal chat about yourself, your circumstances and reasons behind having the surgery. I would like to know what you expect from the surgery and want to help you achieve what will be the best outcome for you. Charlayne Harding, our Breast Care Nurse will also be with us during the consultation.
I will examine you, take measurements and together, we can discuss what areas concern you the most and how we can improve them. I will take photographs, which do not show your face for your health records. You are welcomed to bring a partner, friend or a family member along to the consultation.
This technique results in a circular scar around the areola, but it is only suitable when removing a small amount of tissue.
This technique results in a circular scar around the areola, and a vertical scar passing downwards towards the breast crease (sometimes described as a “lollipop” scar).
Vertical pattern breast reduction has the advantage of leaving no scarring under the breast and a lower chance of wound complications. It is not always suitable for particularly large breasts.
This is the most common type of breast reduction. It results in an anchor-shaped scar starting around the areola, travelling down vertically and then horizontally across the breast crease.
There are various different ways to do a breast reduction. I will decide which is most appropriate for you depending on the size of your breasts and the desired outcome. The most common techniques are described below.