Breast Reduction at Oaklands Hospital in Salford

What is a breast reduction?

A breast reduction, often known as a boob job or boob reduction, is a cosmetic operation to make your breasts smaller, lighter and sometimes to improve their shape.

Women may choose to have breast reduction surgery for physical and emotional reasons. It may be that their large breasts cause them pain and discomfort in their back, shoulders or neck, they find it difficult to take part in some sports or, they are tired of never finding clothes and swimwear that fit properly. Other women feel self-conscious of their large breasts, which can impact their pyschological state.

What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?

There are many benefits of breast reduction surgery and these are individual to each patient.

Women can enjoy better-shaped breasts that are more proportional to the rest of their body. Smaller breasts can improve posture, alleviate back, shoulder and neck pain associated with very large breasts and prevent painful rashes that can appear under large breasts as a result of excess sweat and the breasts and chest rubbing together.

Breast reduction surgery can allow women to participate in more sporting and physical activities with less discomfort. It can open up a wider choice of clothing including fitted clothes, strappy tops, bras and swimwear.

Overall a breast reduction can reduce feelings of self-consciousness. This can have a positive impact on self-esteem and may lead to an increase self-confidence.

How many cup sizes can I go down with a breast reduction?

You will want to consider, and discuss at your initial consultation with your cosmetic surgeon, the breast size you would ideally like. You should remember that cup size is only a general guide. Your cosmetic surgeon will examine your body and its proportions. This will allow them to give you an indication of how much tissue can be removed by breast reduction surgery to create a naturally proportioned breast and to determine if this realistically meets your expectations.

What happens during breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about an hour and a half.

Your surgeon when performing a breast reduction will make a cut on the line of the areola (the dark area around the nipple) and a vertical cut underneath your areola. They will remove some of the breast tissue, excess fat and skin. Your surgeon will reshape your breast and lift your nipple so it is in a higher position.

Like any major surgery, breast reduction can have complications. These can be general complications such as bleeding and infection or more specific complications to breast reduction surgery including: scarring, a loss of sensation of the breast and nipple, difficulty or inability to breast-feed and differences in the size, shape and symmetry of the breasts.

During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will explain in detail all potential risks and complications so that you are fully informed.

How long is the recovery period from a breast reduction?

The following day after surgery you should be able to go home. During breast reduction recovery your breasts will look discoloured and feel firm and swollen. The results of a breast reduction improve gradually over time. Your breasts should become softer and more natural.

Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to advise you on your breast reduction recovery time including when you can return to work and other activities.

You should be able to return to work after the first week, depending on your type of job.

You should be able to do a limited amount of activity, such as lifting young children, after about two weeks. Most women return to normal activities within two to three weeks. Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Will I have visible scarring after a breast reduction?

It’s natural to be concerned about the kind of scarring you’ll have as a result of breast reduction surgery. An experienced and skilled cosmetic surgeon will make every effort to perform a breast reduction that will leave you with minimal scarring. The scars should be invisible when you’re clothed, even when you’re wearing a low cut top.

Most often a breast reduction scar is an anchor shape around your areola, down your breast and along your horizontal breast crease. Scarring will be red immediately after surgery but this will fade in time. It should become light pink within twelve months of your surgery.

How much does breast reduction surgery cost?

The cost of your breast reduction will depend on your consultant and Ramsay hospital of choice. Following your consultation process, you will be advised of the guide package price which includes any outpatient care for 60 days post discharge plus one follow up consultation.

We offer a number of finance options to pay for your abdominoplasty surgery, including: All-inclusive Total Care where a single one-off payment at a pre-agreed price delivers direct access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance, pay as you go and, medical finance loans.

Why choose Ramsay Health Care for breast reduction surgery

Ramsay Health Care are dedicated to providing a personal, friendly and professional cosmetic surgery service. 

Having a breast reduction at Ramsay Health Care you can rest assured that you will receive the best cosmetic surgery for your individual needs and desires.

We work with surgeons who are GMC registered and included on the GMC Specialist Register for plastic surgery, are specialised in abdominoplasty operations, and who have worked in both the NHS and private sector.

Our hospitals are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and appropriately equipped with specialist plastic surgery resources.

Book a breast reduction appointment

Our friendly enquiry team are on hand to answer any queries regarding breast reduction.

Contact us to find out more about breast reduction surgery or to book an appointment with Ramsay Health Care.

Eligibility

You must have a medical or psychological necessity to be eligible for plastic or reconstructive surgery at one of our Ramsay hospitals. Your consultant will guide you through a thorough assessment process. If needed, our multi-disciplinary team, potentially including a psychologist and / or other specialists, will review your case to confirm the medical necessity of your treatment.

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