Breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty)

Choosing breast reduction surgery

Having large breasts that are out of proportion with the rest of your body frame can have physical and psychological effects. Many women who opt for reduction mammoplasty experience one or more of the following because of their large breasts:   

• Backache 
• Neck pain 
• Painful rashes, sweating and even infections under the breasts 
• Poor posture
• Difficulty in exercising or taking part in sports 
• Unwanted attention or harassment 
• Self-consciousness (for example, clothes don’t fit properly) 
• Depression 

Some women choose a reduction mammoplasty to even out their silhouette when one breast is larger than the other. Breast reduction surgery for men (gynaecomastia) is also available, though the procedure is slightly different. You’ll find all the details on our chest reduction page in the mens section. 

What is breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery for women (reduction mammoplasty) is an operation that removes excess tissue and skin from the breasts to reduce their weight and volume. During breast reduction surgery your breasts will be re-shaped and your nipples will be re-positioned to give the most natural end result. 

The benefits of breast reduction surgery

We know from our satisfied patients your reduction mammoplasty can have a positive impact on the way you feel about yourself. Your breast reduction surgery will leave you with smaller breasts and scarring will usually fade significantly over 12 to 18 months.

Breast reduction surgery – what the procedure involves

 If you’re considering a reduction mammoplasty, book a free appointment  with one of our Patient Care Co-ordinators. You’ll be able to talk about the whole process in complete confidence. You can then have a free, no obligation consultation with one of our breast reduction surgeons before making any decisions. 

Also, take a look at our step-by-step guide to see how we’ll be with you at every stage, including our comprehensive aftercare. 

The breast reduction procedure itself is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes between two and four hours. There are several reduction mammoplasty techniques and the best one for you will depend on the size of your breasts and the results you want to achieve. Your surgeon will ensure you’re fully aware of what the operation involves for you.

The procedure involves removing excess breast tissue and skin via incisions. The remaining breast tissue will be re-shaped to create smaller, more elevated breasts and your nipples will be moved to a new position to complete the procedure. 

After surgery

You’ll need to stay in one of our Transform Hospitals for two nights after breast reduction surgery and your breasts will be swollen and feel tender to start with. We’ll provide pain relief to help with any discomfort.

Before you leave hospital we’ll talk to you about looking after yourself at home and make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to remove your stitches. We’ll also give you the number for our 24/7 patient helpline so you can speak to a member of our clinical team, day or night.

Your surgeon will have already talked to you about how much time to take off work and the need to wear a well-fitting, non-wired support bra to begin with. You’ll also need to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks, by which time you should have fully recovered from your breast reduction surgery.

 This is when you’ll be able to see the full results of your reduction mammoplasty. Your scars may still be quite red but will fade significantly in the coming months. 

Side effects, risks and complications

As with any kind of surgery, your breast reduction procedure does carry the risk of rare complications. We’ll talk to you about these, and we’ve included all the details in our Breast Reduction Patient Guide. which you'll receive at your initial appointment with your Patient care Co-ordinator. If you’ve any specific concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to your surgeon about them.

Breast reduction surgery costs

The cost of reduction mammoplasty will vary depending on your individual needs, but prices start at £5,200. This covers all your care before and after the procedure, including our three year aftercare programme. 

To make cosmetic surgery an affordable reality, we work in partnership with a specialist finance provider to offer loans and interest free credit options. Please see our cosmetic surgery finance page for more details.

We understand that this very important decision for you goes far beyond cost. You can talk to us in complete confidence when you book a free appointment to discuss every aspect of breast reduction surgery.