Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty)
Mr Olivier Amar - Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Breast Reduction Surgery (Mammoplasty) – What You Need to Know
What is Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty) surgery?
Breast reduction surgery, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of large or heavy breasts, or to correct uneven breasts for a more symmetrical, proportionate appearance.
The procedure involves reducing breast size and reshaping the breasts to better suit your body. Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin and can improve breast shape, nipple position and overall symmetry. Leaving you with smaller, more harmonious breasts in a natural, uplifted position. During the procedure, Mr Olivier Amar will remove excess tissue and skin, reposition and resize the nipple and areola if needed and reshape the breasts into a higher, more youthful position.
My breast reduction patients say their smaller breasts feel lighter and are more in proportion with their silhouette.
Your consultation
Whether meeting in person or remotely, your consultation with Mr Olivier Amar provides a comprehensive discussion of your hoped for goals and treatment options. To get the most out of your consultation, we recommend reviewing information about your area of interest beforehand.
During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will listen to your desired outcomes and goals, conduct a thorough assessment, present appropriate treatment options and explain procedures in detail. This will include a step by step surgical process, required preparation, recovery timeline, scar placement and management, anaesthesia options, and potential risks and complications.
A consultation ensures you receive comprehensive information about all options, and understand both benefits and limitations of proposed procedures. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish before you decide the next steps together, including the option to take no action.
Personalised Approach to Breast Surgery
Mr Olivier Amar specialises in breast surgery, carefully developing a tailored approach to suit the patient’s individual anatomy, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. By combining advanced techniques, Mr Olivier Amar aims to restore a youthful breast contour that enhances your natural body shape.
Risks associated with surgery
Every surgical procedure, while performed with the utmost care and expertise, carries inherent risks. Mr Olivier Amar ensures all patients are fully informed about potential complications before proceeding with any treatment.
General surgical risks include post-operative infection, bleeding and haematoma formation, scarring and wound healing complications, and anaesthesia related complications. During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will provide detailed information about procedure specific risks, explain preventive measures and safety protocols, answer all questions about potential complications and provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Preparing for Your Surgery
All surgical procedures are teamwork between the surgeon and the patient. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, preparation is key for optimal recovery.
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
Prior to any breast reduction surgery, you will need to arrange a pre-operative breast imaging assessment - ultrasound or mammography, with a radiologist specialising in breast imaging. This is to check the integrity of the breasts. The day before surgery, our dedicated pre-assessment nursing team will reconfirm your admission time, review fasting requirements, address any last minute questions and provide final preparation instructions.
Type of anaesthesia
Breast reduction is performed under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your Anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation.
Having surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) allows you to go home the same day to rest and recuperate. Alternatively, we are happy to arrange the procedure at a hospital with an overnight stay facility, organise a nurse to stay with you overnight, or assist with local accommodation arrangements. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss your anaesthesia options and aftercare support in detail during your consultation.
Recovery Guide
Breast reduction is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising typically resolves within 10-20 days.
You will wear a soft, compression bra for 3-6 weeks to help with skin retraction, reduce swelling and support the healing process. Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 2-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 4 weeks.
Aftercare Information
At your first post-operative appointment with the nurse, scheduled 2-3 days after surgery, incision sites will be reviewed and dressings changed. You will return for an appointment with the nurse at 14 days, at this point your incision sites will be reviewed again, stitches removed and initial healing will be assessed. At six weeks after surgery, Mr Olivier Amar will evaluate your overall healing and give you next steps to follow.
It is your responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments. Failing to attend appointments or follow post-operative instructions may impact your results and final outcome. Regular monitoring ensures optimal healing progression and early detection of complications. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss the post-operative schedule in detail during your consultation.
Scar Placement and Management
The most common surgical technique involves an anchor shaped or lollipop incision. While scarring is an inevitable part of the procedure, incisions are placed carefully to remain as hidden as possible. Scar healing time varies, but most scars are red at first, change to purple, then fade to become paler over 12 months.
As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.
The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:
- Stimulates natural collagen production
- Reduces scar pigmentation
- Improves skin texture and appearance
- Softens scar tissue
- Promotes tissue remodelling
- Accelerates bruise healing
Maintaining your results
The initial results can be seen immediately after surgery, however, it can take a few weeks for swelling and bruising to fully subside. The result of breast reduction surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. A combination of wearing your compression garment, maintaining a steady weight and following post operative instructions is key to a good result.
Why consider Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty) surgery?
Large or uneven breasts can cause significant physical discomfort and emotional distress, whether due to genetics or changes that develop over time. Many women choose breast reduction surgery to relieve ongoing symptoms and improve their quality of life. Common reasons for considering breast reduction include chronic back pain, neck pain and shoulder discomfort caused by the weight of large breasts. As well as painful bra strap grooves, persistent skin irritation or rashes beneath the breasts and difficulty finding well fitting clothing.
Women also seek the procedure to:
- Improve confidence
- Address self consciousness from unwanted attention
- Remove barriers to exercise and sport
- Correct breast asymmetry
- Restore a sense of physical proportion.
What does Breast Reduction surgery involve?
During breast reduction surgery, Mr Olivier Amar will make carefully planned incisions to access and remove excess breast tissue, fat and skin. The most common technique involves an anchor shaped or lollipop incision, which allows Mr Amar to reshape the breast effectively while keeping scarring as discreet as possible. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher, more natural position and resized if necessary. The remaining breast tissue is then reshaped and lifted before the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches. In some cases, liposuction may be used alongside traditional excision techniques to refine the result.
Most patients experience a significant and immediate improvement in physical symptoms such as back and neck pain, as well as a positive impact on body confidence and quality of life. Your breasts will be smaller, better shaped and more proportionate to your body, with the nipples repositioned to a more youthful, natural height.
Can any other procedure be performed at the same time?
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift (mastopexy) is frequently performed alongside breast reduction surgery. Combining a breast lift with breast reduction addresses both excess volume and sagging, creating smaller, lighter, more elevated breasts in a single procedure.
read
Liposuction (Fat Removal Surgery)
Liposuction can be used during breast reduction surgery to remove fatty tissue from the breast and the surrounding areas, such as the armpit, bra line or upper chest.
read
Mini Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Some patients choose to combine breast reduction with a mini tummy tuck, also known as mini abdominoplasty, as part of a broader body contouring procedure.
read
Renuvion Skin Tightening
For comprehensive body contouring, some patients opt to combine procedures to address unwanted fat deposits and skin laxity, achieving more harmonious, balanced results.
read
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the surgery take?
The length of the procedure varies depending on whether additional liposuction is needed to the sides of the chest wall and can take between 2-3 hours.
Will I still be able to breastfeed?
Breast reduction surgery can affect your ability to breastfeed. If you are hoping to breastfeed in the future, you should take this into consideration. If you are considering breast surgery and you have recently breastfed, we recommend that you wait 6 months allow the breast to settle down before opting for surgery.
Will I have to wear a garment after Breast reduction surgery?
To support recovery during the healing period and your overall result you will need to wear a soft compression bra for between three and six weeks. A compression bra is easy to hide under clothes and helps with skin retraction and to reduce swelling as the surgical area is healing.
How should I prepare for surgery?
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress-free recovery.
Prior to breast reduction surgery, you will need to arrange a pre-operative breast imaging assessment – ultrasound or mammography, with a radiologist specialising in breast imaging. This is to check the integrity of the breasts.
Is breast reduction surgery painful?
Breast reduction is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising typically resolves within 10-20 days.
What breast reduction scars will I have?
The most common surgical technique involves an anchor shaped or lollipop incision. While scarring is an inevitable part of the procedure, incisions are placed carefully to remain as hidden as possible. Scar healing time varies, but most scars are red at first, change to purple, then fade to become paler over 12 months.
As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.
The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:
- Stimulates natural collagen production
- Reduces scar pigmentation
- Improves skin texture and appearance
- Softens scar tissue
- Promotes tissue remodelling
- Accelerates bruise healing
When can I return to exercise after surgery?
Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 2-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 4 weeks.
What does Breast Reduction surgery involve?
During breast reduction surgery, Mr Olivier Amar will make carefully planned incisions to access and remove excess breast tissue, fat and skin. The most common technique involves an anchor shaped or lollipop incision, which allows Mr Amar to reshape the breast effectively while keeping scarring as discreet as possible. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher, more natural position and resized if necessary. The remaining breast tissue is then reshaped and lifted before the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches. In some cases, liposuction may be used alongside traditional excision techniques to refine the result.
Most patients experience a significant and immediate improvement in physical symptoms such as back and neck pain, as well as a positive impact on body confidence and quality of life. Your breasts will be smaller, better shaped and more proportionate to your body, with the nipples repositioned to a more youthful, natural height.
Can liposuction be used for breast reduction?
Liposuction can be used during breast reduction surgery to remove fatty tissue from the breast and the surrounding areas, such as the armpit or upper chest.
This can help refine the overall contour and create a smoother, more natural transition between the breast and the body. In cases where the breasts are composed largely of fatty tissue, liposuction alone, without skin excision may be sufficient to achieve the desired reduction.
Meet Olivier Amar – Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Mr Olivier Amar is a renowned London-based consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon specialising in face, breast and body surgery, advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatments and regenerative medicine. With over 15 years of experience, Mr Olivier Amar has earned a reputation among both patients and peers alike for transforming cosmetic surgery into an art form.
“Cosmetic surgery is a demanding profession and patient expectations are high. But I am a doctor first and a surgeon second. My only concern is the patient in front of me, fulfilling their needs and managing their expectations. My work is intense; it means everything to me and is my lifelong passion.”
Mr Amar’s commitment to precision and refinement extends through every aspect of patient care, from initial consultation to post-operative support. All treatments take place at his private practice in Chelsea, London. Working alongside Mr Amar is a highly skilled team of dedicated nurses, experienced anaesthetists from leading NHS and private hospitals, and specialised management staff. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive, world-class care for all patients.
