Breast reduction surgery at Guildford Hospital
- Overview
Breast reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that trims excess tissue to give you a more proportionate, comfortable bust. At Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital, our experienced plastic surgeons offer first-class breast reduction surgery tailored to your individual needs.
What is breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction surgery, also known as mammoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that trims excess tissue, fat and skin to give you more proportionate, comfortable breasts.
By altering the size and shape of your breasts to more manageable proportions, it can help you with many physical and mental health issues that having very large breasts (or macromastia) can cause, as well as making daily life and day-to-day activities more comfortable.
Why choose Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital for my breast reduction?
Nuffield Health’s Guildford Hospital provides high-quality healthcare for the people of Guildford and the surrounding areas of Surrey and Hampshire. Our highly experienced team of cosmetic surgeons and highly trained teams at Guildford Hospital are dedicated to providing care on an individual basis, to create a safe and welcoming environment to encourage your speedy recovery and wellbeing.
From your initial consultation, we'll make your breast reduction surgery go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Your chosen plastic surgeon will be with you throughout your treatment journey. You'll stay in a private bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, and our on-site chef will prepare delicious meals tailored to your requirements.
How to book a consultation at Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital
If you are considering breast reduction at Guildford Hospital, book a private consultation with one of our expert cosmetic surgeons today by calling 01483 555 800 or by filling in the form below.
Is a breast reduction right for me?
If having larger breasts is impacting your daily life and day-to-day activities, then breast reduction surgery may be for you.
Some of the symptoms you may be experiencing that breast reduction surgery can help with include:
- Breast discomfort
- Neck and back ache
- Shoulder pain
- Skin irritation under the breast fold
- Painful pressure from bra straps
- There is a difference in shape or size of your breasts (asymmetry)
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulties and discomfort during exercise
- Psychological distress
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
There are also some medical considerations that you will need to take into account before opting for breast reduction surgery.
This procedure is only recommended if:
- You are in good overall health.
- You do not smoke or you are planning to stop before the surgery.
- You are not planning major weight loss.
- You are not planning to become pregnant before surgery, as this procedure can sometimes affect your ability to breastfeed.
What happens during breast reduction surgery at Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital?
Preparing for breast reduction surgery at Guildford Hospital
Your consultant and healthcare team at Guildford Hospital. will give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery, and it is important to follow them carefully.
There are a number of things you can do to ensure that your surgery and subsequent recovery goes as smoothly as possible, including:
- Smoking: Stop smoking six weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of complications and improve overall health.
- Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight, as being overweight, can increase the risk of complications and slow down recovery.
- Exercise: Taking part in regular exercise can improve your overall health and help you recover after surgery.
- Tips to reduce infection: Do not shave or wax the area that is going to be operated on. Have a shower or bath the day before your surgery. If you are diabetic, keep your sugar levels under control in the run-up to surgery.
During the operation
Breast reduction is performed under a general anaesthetic and it can take between 1.5 and 3 hours.
There are several different surgical procedures for breast reduction, but in general, excess skin and fat are removed, and your breasts are reshaped and the nipples are repositioned.
Your surgeon will draw some lines on you before you go into surgery to mark where incisions will need to be made.
An incision will be made around the dark area of skin around your nipple (areola) and a vertical cut under your areola. The surgeon may also need to make an incision on the crease under your breast, which will leave an anchor-shaped scar.
Going home after your breast reduction
Once your operation is over, you’ll be taken to the recovery room where you will wake from the anaesthetic. Your breasts may be covered by dressings. Your wound will be stitched and covered with Steri-Strips or pink Micropore tape, and you may have a small tube coming out of your wound to drain away any excess fluid from inside the wound. Be sure and tell a member of our healthcare team at Guildford Hospital if you are in any pain. When you are stable and comfortable, a nurse will take you back to your room.
A physiotherapist will help you with exercises to help you build strength after the operation .
You will probably stay in the hospital overnight. Everyone heals differently, so be sure and ask your consultant about your length of stay.
You will be given instructions on how to care for your wounds, medications to relieve pain, when you can bathe or shower and specific things to look for during your recovery.
For the first few days you may feel quite tired. It may be a good idea to have someone help you with daily activities for the first week. You can gradually start to increase you activity, however you should not attempt any strenuous activity or heavy lifting until you are released by your surgeon.
Recovery timeline
Day 1-7 | Week 2 | 4 – 6 Weeks | 6-9 months |
You may have some discomfort for a week. Mild painkillers will help with this but avoid taking aspirin.
Sports bra worn day and night for about 3 weeks. | Might pull and hurt a little when you move around.
Gradually begin to increase your activity. Depending on your job, should be able to return to work from 2 weeks. Drive only when you feel safe to do so. | Avoid lifting or pushing anything heavy for at least four weeks.
Loss of sensation to breast and nipple area continues to improve. | Scars will begin to soften and fade.
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What are the benefits of a breast reduction?
Choosing breast reduction surgery with our expert plastic surgeons at Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital can lead to:
- Smaller and more defined breasts: Achieving a breast size that feels more in proportion to your body.
- Increased comfort with your appearance: Many patients feel more confident and happier with their appearance after breast reduction surgery.
- Better-fitting clothing: You may find it easier to find clothes that fit well.
How long does a breast reduction last?
The results of successful breast reduction surgery can be very long-lasting. You will see results immediately, but swelling can remain for a number of months afterwards. While the final results will last a long time, any changes in weight or pregnancy can affect the size and shape of the breasts, even after your surgery.
What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?
What complications can happen with a breast reduction?
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with it. Your surgeon at Guildford Hospital will talk through all of these with you before surgery, so you understand the risks and complications involved.
General complications
Most people make a good recovery and return to normal activities following breast reconstruction. As with any surgery, there can be complications, including:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection of the surgical site (incision)
- Scarring, including adverse scarring – thick, lumpy, tender scars
- Blood clots (DVT - deep vein thrombosis and Pulmonary embolus (PE))
Specific complications of breast reduction
There are a number of complications associated with breast reduction surgery including:
- Developing a lump or swelling inside the breast
- Numbness or persistent pain on the outer part of the breast
- Loss of skin, including the areola and nipple
- Stiff shoulder
- Change of breast and nipple sensation
- Uneven shape: Your breasts will change shape after reduction surgery. There is a chance that they may end up slightly lopsided, lumpy or with uneven nipples.
- Reduced ability to breastfeed
- Wound breakdown
- Dog ears (folds of tissues at the ends of the scars)
- Dissatisfaction
Pain following breast reduction surgery
Immediately after the surgery, you will be given pain medication to ease any discomfort you might have following your procedure. For the first few weeks, your breasts may feel tender and they may be swollen and bruised, however this will ease. You will also be required to wear a surgical bra to support the breasts and allow them to heal properly.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to breast reduction surgery?
There are a number of alternatives to surgery that can ease the symptoms experienced by having very large breasts. These include:
- Losing weight: Reducing your weight, can sometimes reduce the amount of fatty tissue around your breasts, therefore reducing the size.
- Physiotherapy: one of our expert physiotherapists may be able to provide an exercise programme for you that can ease aches and pain caused by your breasts. Find a physiotherapist near you.
- Psychological and mental health support: Seeking counselling or mental health advice may be able to address some of the self-esteem and self-image issues caused by having very large breasts.
How much does breast reduction cost at Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital?
For pricing information, please get in touch with the team using the form below or call 01483 555 800.
FAQs
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Does a breast reduction leave scars?While there are a number of different procedures for breast reductions, all of them will leave scars. All procedures result in a scar around the areola (dark area around the nipple), however depending on which type of procedure you have, there will be additional scarring.
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How old do I have to be to have a breast reduction?You must be 18 years or older to have breast reduction surgery.
There is also no upper age limit for this procedure, but your surgeon will assess your general health before recommending you for surgery, as your skin can become thinner as you get older, which could make the procedure more difficult. -
How much can I reduce my breast size by?It is difficult to reduce breasts to smaller than a D or C cup, but this is determined on an individual basis. If they were reduced any smaller than this, the breasts may not have the correct shape or they may have noticeable differences to them.
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How do I choose my new cup size?Choosing your new cup size will be your decision, however your surgeon will discuss with you the possibilities and help you to make an informed decision. However, whatever you do choose, the final shape and cup size cannot be guaranteed.
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How large do your breasts need to be to qualify for a reduction?There is not one particular size that your breasts need to be for a reduction. Your surgeon will determine if it is possible and necessary based on the amount of breast tissue you have in relation to your overall body size. However, if you are experiencing large amounts of discomfort and symptoms from your breasts, your surgeon may also suggest a breast reduction as a treatment.
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Is a breast reduction permanent?While the results of breast reduction surgery are long-lasting, there are a number of factors that could alter the results, such as weight loss or gain, or pregnancy.
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Can I have a breast reduction if I am pregnant?You cannot have breast reduction surgery if you are pregnant. During pregnancy, you will experience changes in the shape and size of your breasts, which would lead to unpredictable results, and any surgery could also have complications that would risk harm to you or your baby. Additionally, this procedure can affect your ability to breastfeed, so it is avoided during pregnancy.
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Will a breast reduction stop me from breastfeeding?This will depend on the type of procedure you have. If the nipple is completely detached during your reduction, it is usually not possible to breastfeed afterwards. However, if the nipple remains intact, it may still be possible, however your ability to do so may still be reduced.
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How long will I need off work?The time you will need to take off work after surgery will depend on the type of work you do. If you have a more physical job, you will need to take a longer time off as it is not recommended to do any strenuous activity for around 3-4 weeks after your reduction. However, if your job is more sedentary, you would be advised to take 1-2 weeks off work.
However, this will all depend on your healing process as well. Your surgeon and the team at Nuffield Health will advise you on your timings to return to work on how well you are progressing with your recovery. -
Will a breast reduction affect my nipples or areolas?A breast reduction will cause scarring around the areola, with the scars varying depending on the procedure that you have. The scars will fade over time, but will never disappear completely. It may also affect the size of your areola with them becoming smaller after your surgery.
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How to sleep comfortably after breast reduction surgery?There are a number of ways to keep comfortable while sleeping after your surgery. Your surgeon will advise you on a post operative bra to wear and these are typically worn for 6-8 weeks following surgery.
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Can breast reduction affect my ability to exercise?Having very large breasts can often hinder exercising, so a breast reduction can help alleviate those problems. Immediately after the surgery, you are advised to limit physical activity for around 4-6 weeks so that the breasts can heal. However, once you are properly healed, you should be able to exercise as normal.
Breast reduction surgery consultants at Guildford Hospital
Stirling Road, Guildford, GU2 7RF
Please enter our full address into your satnav/phone GPS when travelling to our hospital, using the postcode alone may take you to the back of the hospital where there is no patient parking. To find the main entrance and car park please enter Stirling Road via Occam Road. If you have driven to our Hospital you are welcome to park in our car park free of charge. Our car park is managed by an external contractor so please remember to input your car registration on one of the terminals at reception. Please be aware that if this process is not followed, charges will apply.
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