Breast Reduction Surgery
I can provide breast reduction and uplift
surgery. This operation is offered to women with over
large breasts causing symptoms such as back and neck
ache and shoulder grooving. I can also offer surgery
to men with breast enlargement using a combination of
traditional “cutting“ surgery and liposuction.
Unfortunately, these operations are rarely funded on
the NHS despite the distress these conditions cause.Due to the conditions of my professional insurance, I
can only accept cases for bilateral breast reduction
where there are significant symptoms such as back and
neck pain, recurrent infections or shoulder grooving.
The surgery is performed as a “therapeutic” procedure
not as a “cosmetic” procedure although the same
standards are applied.
For both men and women, breast reduction surgery
involves the removal of skin and breast tissues and a
reshaping of the breast. In women, the aim is to
produce a normal looking “younger” breast in
proportion with the rest of the body and in men to
produce a natural flatter contour with the minimal
possible scarring.
The technical details are difficult to explain
(without a lot of arm waving) but essentially the
amount of breast skin is reduced and separately the
amount of breast tissue is reduced. The breast is then
put back together to get a nice shape. The scars are
placed around the brown of the nipple (the areola) and
in the lower part of the breast usually as an upside
down T. We leave the nipple attached to the underlying
breast tissue in most cases but occasional advise
women to have a nipple graft (taking the nipple and
areola from the breast and sticking it back on in a
better position).
Complications of these operations will be explained to
you and it essential that if you have any particular
concerns these are discussed BEFORE surgery! All
surgery carries risk including bleeding and infection.
Complications range from minor to life threatening
although obviously we would prefer to deal with minor
issues only. Anaesthetics also carry risks including
allergic reactions to the drugs used. Again any
specific concerns should be discussed via your surgeon
to the anaesthetist.
Complications specific to breast reduction surgery
include scarring and red and prominent scars (these
usually settle with time). The breasts may not be a
perfect match in size or shape (there is a degree of
art rather than science to this procedure) and the
shape of the breast or nipple/areola may be imperfect.
When the nipple stays attached it may be possible to
breast feed but it is impossible if a nipple graft
techniques is used. As the breast heals, there may be
an increase in sensitivity, especially at the
nipple/areola. Conversely, the breast may feel
relatively numb. There are sometimes problems with the
healing of the skin that requires dressings for some
time or even a second operation. The blood supply to
the breast tissue can be precarious and there may be
painful lumpy areas for a time after the surgery where
small areas of tissue have died off and are being
reabsorbed. In the worst case scenario the whole of
the breast bump may be lost.
However, the most common complications generally and
for me are bruising, discomfort, a slight pulling
apart at the stitch join below the breasts and the
stitch ends poking through the skin after they are
supposed to have dissolved away.
Before and after photos
Pre Breast Reduction - Patient 1
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Post Breast Reduction - Patient 1 |
Pre Breast Reduction - Patient 2 |
Post Breast Reduction - Patient 2 |
www.specialistbreastreductionsurgery.co.uk
Information sheets are available from the breast care
specialist nurses, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester.
Email: breastcarenurses@weht.swest.nhs.uk,
Tel: 01962 824592 |
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