Reduction

Breast reduction may be right for you if you:

• Experience back, neck, or shoulder pain from heavy breasts.
• Find it difficult to exercise or dress comfortably.
• Have skin irritation beneath the breast crease.
• Feel self-conscious about the size or shape of your breasts.
• Simply wish for a lighter, more balanced silhouette.

• Eases discomfort and improves posture.
• Helps clothing fit more comfortably and naturally.
• Creates a lighter, more lifted shape.
• Improves confidence and body balance.
• Provides lasting relief and natural results.

As with all surgery, there are potential risks, which will be discussed fully during your consultation. These can include:

• Temporary bruising, swelling, or mild differences between breasts.
• Changes in nipple sensation (usually temporary).
• Delayed healing or minor wound problems.
• Scars — which are permanent but fade with time.

Less common risks include small firm areas beneath the skin (fat hardening) or reduced ability to breastfeed. Serious complications are rare, and great care is taken to achieve the best, safest possible outcome for you.

You’ll notice an immediate lightness after surgery, although swelling and mild bruising are normal for the first couple of weeks.

Dressings are usually removed after 2–3 weeks, and you’ll wear a soft support bra day and night for about 3 months.

Most women return to work within 2–3 weeks and resume light exercise after 4-6 weeks. Scars soften and fade gradually, often becoming barely noticeable within a year.

An anchor-shaped scar—also called an inverted-T scar—is the most common pattern used in breast reduction surgery. It allows your surgeon to remove more tissue and reshape the breast with the greatest precision, especially when significant lifting or tightening is needed.

The scar has three components:

1. Around the areola
   A circular scar that sits at the edge of the areola. This typically blends very well because the colour and texture change helps camouflage it.
2. Vertical scar
   A straight line from the lower edge of the areola down to the breast fold. This becomes a fine line once healed.
3. Horizontal scar in the breast crease
   A curved scar hidden within the natural inframammary fold. When standing, this scar is generally concealed by the breast itself.

Immediately after surgery, these scars will look pink and slightly raised. Mild puckering, tightness, and firmness are normal and settle with time.

Breast reduction scars follow a predictable healing pattern:

• First 6 weeks:
  Scars may feel firm or slightly raised. Pinkness is normal. Swelling and temporary bunching near the vertical scar often soften steadily.
• 3–6 months:
  Scars fade and flatten, with the horizontal fold scar becoming increasingly hidden in the crease. The vertical scar usually softens into a fine, pale line.
• 6–12 months:
  Scars mature, lighten, and become less noticeable. Many patients find that the fold scar is barely visible in everyday life.

Good scar care—including silicone therapy, sun protection, moisturising, and gentle massage once healed—can help optimise the final appearance.

Some people have a genetic tendency to develop hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are thicker or more raised than average. If you have a personal or family history of problematic scarring, please let me know. We can take proactive steps, such as early silicone therapy, steroid injections, or closer follow-up, to help reduce this risk and support the best possible scar outcome.