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Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery, also known as boob reduction surgery or a mammoplasty, is a procedure that reduces the weight, size and volume of the breasts. Our specialist MYA surgeons will remove fat, breast tissue and any excess skin to reshape the breast/s. They will also reposition the patient’s nipple to ensure they are in proportion with the new, uplifted shape.

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  • Time Icon

    Time in Theatre

    1.5 - 3 hours

  • Hospital Stay

    2 nights

  • Briefcase Icon

    Return To Work

    2 weeks

  • Recovery Icon

    Recovery Time

    6-8 weeks

  • Post Op Bra Icon

    Post-Surgery Bra

    6 weeks

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    Other Name

    Mammoplasty

Breast Reduction Patient Story
Breast Reduction Patient Story
Breast Reduction Patient Story
Breast Reduction Patient Story
Breast Reduction Patient Story
Breast Reduction Patient Story

What is a breast reduction?

A breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure which reduces the size and shape of the breasts by removing excess tissue, skin and fat. 

This is often done to increase the self-esteem of those with very large breasts, as well as limit discomfort experienced in daily life.

While losing weight can decrease breast size, removing the excess fat and skin is the only long-term way of creating a smaller, more youthful-looking chest.

What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?

Alongside reducing the overall breast size, there are a number of reasons why a woman may opt for this procedure. Having breast reduction surgery can help to:

  • Improve the shape and look of the breasts.

  • Reduce associated back and neck pain that carrying larger breasts can cause.

  • Reduce bra discomfort and bra strap irritation.

  • Improve confidence and self-esteem.

  • Make exercising easier and reduce discomfort during physical activity.

  • Improve how your clothes fit and increase your wardrobe options e.g. swimwear, strappy tops, vests etc.

amy_andthekidsxx Breast Reduction Patient Story

How is a breast reduction performed?

Our experienced MYA surgeons will work with the patient to understand their personal requirements and will recommend the best treatment plan for them, discussing the risks, limitations, and benefits of breast reduction surgery.

A breast reduction isn't always needed in both breasts, with some patients only requiring one to be reduced.   

Although a breast reduction may only be required for one breast, to ensure each patient leaves with a symmetrical look, a nipple realignment may be required on both breasts to ensure the final look is in proportion with the patient's anatomy.    

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and can take between 1 ½ - 3 hours to perform - depending on the patient, their requirements and desired look. During the procedure, the surgeon will make incisions in your breast around the areola and down the breast to remove breast tissue, fat and excess skin. Liposuction is also sometimes used to aid the process. 

Once complete, the surgeon will reshape the breast and reposition the nipple and areola if required.                  

These incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches, which will be covered with dressings. In some cases, your surgeon will put drains (plastic tubes attached to suction bottles) on the breasts to catch excess fluid.

You will then be put in a recovery room to be brought safely around from the anaesthetics. Here, your pain and discomfort will be closely managed.  

*There is no guarantee of specific outcomes so individual results and experiences can vary from person to person.

Breast Reduction Diagram

What is a gigantomastia procedure?

Gigantomastia is when there is excessive growth in the breast tissue. It can happen spontaneously or during hormonal changes such as puberty and pregnancy and result in extremely large breasts. It can affect one or both breasts, causing breast asymmetry.  

Having large breasts can cause a poor quality of life for many women. It affects their self-confidence, limits what they can wear and make exercise tricky. Other problems caused by big boobs include back and neck pain, painful rashes and irritation from bra straps. 

Gigantomastia surgery is similar to a boob reduction in technique, however, the amount of breast tissue removed is greater (500g+ per breast) and the distance from the sternum to nipple pre-surgery is typically greater than 30cm. Your expert MYA surgeon will discuss the risks and limitations involved as well as the life-changing results this procedure can bring during the consultation process.

Breast reduction recovery

Every woman’s breast reduction recovery time is different, and each breast can heal at different rates - typically, patients take 6-8 weeks to heal from surgery. During the first few weeks, your breasts may feel tender and your incisions may feel itchy, but pain relief will be prescribed as required to ease any discomfort. Any bruising or swelling to the breasts and chest should subside after 7-21 days.

As it is a complex surgical procedure, patients will be required to stay in a MYA hospital overnight and be monitored by our nurses after breast reduction surgery.    

Post-op, patients will have dressings covering their breasts and in some cases, drains to remove any collected fluids. These will be removed before the patient is discharged.   

It is important patients do not get their incisions wet until advised it is safe to do so by a MYA Nurse. Patients can wash around the breasts and have shallow baths, but should avoid soaking their incisions. Initially, there may be some fluid leakage from the incisions following surgery so do not be alarmed as this is normal, however, anything pronounced should be brought to the attention of your MYA Nurse.

Patients are advised to take 7-14 days off work following a breast reduction procedure. If a patient’s job is more physically demanding, they may be required to take additional time off work for recovery.

Wound care is extremely important following a breast reduction procedure. Wounds will be checked 7-10 days post-operatively by a MYA Nurse and patients are required to attend additional post-operative appointments to allow the clinical team to monitor their healing and recovery.   

Patients must attend all their post-op appointments at their MYA clinical hub for a nurse to monitor healing and deliver wound care. Healing will evolve over several months, but it can take up to 1 year post-op to see the final result.

The results of breast reduction improve gradually, and it's important to remember that everyone heals differently and it can take up to 12 months for the final result to reveal itself. Your visits with your MYA nurse are a great time to make sure you're healing correctly and for your surgeon to check they're happy with the results.

Does breast reduction surgery leave scars?

Due to the way a breast reduction is performed, scarring is inevitable. However, most of the scarring will sit beneath the nipple and so shouldn’t be too visible once healed and the swelling has gone down.

The most common type of scarring is anchor scarring - a T-shaped scar which goes around the areola, down, and curves under the crease of the breast - which is left when the surgeon makes the necessary incisions to remove the breast tissue. 

Scars can take up to a year to fade but to reduce the severity, it’s advised you avoid sun beds and smoking, and, if you do choose to sit in the sun, wear a high SPF, broad-spectrum suncream to protect the scar and reduce an increase in pigment.

MYA breast reduction

If you’re interested in breast reduction surgery and would like to learn more, contact the team at MYA today. 

We offer FREE eConsults where you can speak with one of our experts from the comfort of your own home. 

Make sure to check out our patient stories and the MYA Forum for first-hand experiences from our past patients, as well as recovery tips and more!

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Take the first step in your MYA journey by having a video eConsult from the convenience of your own home with one of our eConsult advisors.

Before & After


Breast Reduction

View our breast reduction before and after examples to see some of the amazing work that MYA's surgeons do. Hopefully, in these breast reduction before and after examples, you'll be able to see someone similar to yourself to get an idea of what your result could be. When you attend your initial eConsult, your eConsult advisor will share the exclusive MYA before and after hub with you, where you'll be able to see many more surgeon-specific photos.

You can talk to thousands of our happy patients within our online community.

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Breast Reduction Patient 3 - pre-op

Before

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Breast Reduction Patient 3 - post-op

After

6 weeks post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 4 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 4 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 8 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 8 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 1 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 1 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 12 - pre-op

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Gigantomastia

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Breast Reduction Patient 12 - pre-op

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6 weeks post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 11 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 11 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 10 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 10- post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 9- pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 9 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 2 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 2 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 7 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 7 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 6 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 6 - post-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 5 - pre-op

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Breast Reduction Patient 5 - post-op

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6 weeks post-op

Please bear in mind that all of MYA's photos are taken at 6 weeks post-op and scarring will continue to fade for up to a year.

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You can talk to thousands of our happy patients within our online community.

MYA Journey Information & FAQs


Does breast reduction surgery leave scars?

The most common type of scarring is anchor scarring, which is left when the surgeon makes the necessary incisions to remove the breast tissue. Most of the scarring will sit beneath the nipple and so shouldn’t be too visible once healed and the swelling has gone down. Scars can take up to a year to fade.

Do breasts grow back after a breast reduction?
How long does it take to recover from breast reduction surgery?
How many cup sizes can you go down with a breast reduction?
How old do you have to be to get a breast reduction?
What happens during a breast reduction eConsult?
What happens during a breast reduction surgeon consultation?
What happens on the day of breast reduction surgery?
What is breast reduction recovery like?
Can I have a breast reduction and lift together?
How much does a breast reduction cost?
What MYA surgeons perform breast reduction?

“We believe that everybody and every body is unique

MYA Cosmetic Surgery

Your Patient Journey With MYA

MYA eConsult

1.Video eConsult

You’ll receive an information pack confirming the time and date of your appointment.

Surgeon Consultation

2.Surgeon Consultation

Acting as your personal point of contact at all stages of your journey. A pre-operative medical assessment making sure you are fit and healthy ahead of your procedure.

Patient Pre-op

3.Nurse Pre-op

A pre-operative medical assessment making sure you are fit and healthy ahead of your procedure.

Breast Enlargement Surgery Day

4.Procedure Day

Your procedure at one of the UK’s finest cosmetic surgery hospitals, with the option of an overnight stay in an en suite room including 24 hour room service, satellite TV and breakfast.

Breast Enlargement Aftercare Appointments

5.Aftercare Appointments

Our MYA aftercare policy including all post-operative assessments with your surgeon and one of MYA’s qualified nurses.

Patient Journey Step 6

6.You’re Healed!

Our 24 hour emergency helpline manned by our network of nurses, providing you with ongoing support 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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