Breast reduction

Suitability

Breast reduction is not the answer for everyone, and careful patient selection and candid discussion with a breast reduction surgeon about what can be achieved is vital to deliver the desired results. 

Factors such as weight stability, family planning and breastfeeding need to be considered. The risk of breast cancer and screening mammography needs to be discussed. Subsequent breast growth or changes in size with weight gain or loss also needs to be taken into account. 

It is important each patient is treated individually and that frank conversation is facilitated between patient and surgeon.

Take some time to consider your situation and goals regarding breast reduction, and then discuss these with a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr Mathew Lee.

Costs

The total cost for a breast reduction for a privately insured patient is from $14,000 depending on your level of cover. This is inclusive of the surgeon’s fee, two-night hospital stay, theatre fee, anaesthetist’s fee and follow up visits.

For patients without insurance, total out of pocket fees start from $19,000.

The estimated cost can be provided following your consultation with Dr Mathew Lee. The complexity of the surgery will ultimately determine the costs. 

Consultation and pre-operative planning

Your pre-operative planning is conducted over two visits to our Mornington rooms and involves the expertise of Dr Mathew Lee and the team of experienced plastic surgery nurses.

Pre-operative planning looks at your reasons for wanting a breast reduction, and will ultimately establish the goals for your surgery. 

It ensures that Dr Lee’s vision of what you are looking to achieve matches yours. 

While size is often the first feature discussed, there are many aspects about you as a patient that need to be considered to plan the right operation specifically for you.

Careful pre-operative analysis, measurements and photos are used to plan the right operation for you. 

Detailed information of what to expect and how to prepare for your surgery will be discussed.

Surgical technique

Breast reduction surgery is about removing excess breast tissue as well as excess skin. It is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital.

There are many surgical techniques; however, in principle, they can be divided into two main groups:

1. Dealing with the skin and the resultant scar (vertical “lollipop” scar or Wide “anchor” pattern)

2. Preserving a pedicle of tissue attached to the nipple and areola that maintains sensation and circulation to these structures.

Vertical scar breast reduction means that excess skin can be removed to leave a ‘lollipop’ scar that encircles the areola and extends vertically down the front of the breast. This may be extended to a more traditional breast reduction pattern with a further horizontal scar in the fold beneath the breast (anchor pattern). This extension is required for larger breasts and is unavoidable for wide breasts.

Sensation and circulation to the nipple and areola are preserved by maintaining a ‘pedicle’ of tissue attached beneath the nipple. Inferior and supero-medial pedicles are the most common methods used and this tissue forms a significant part of the final breast volume.

The best technique varies from patient to patient and depends on the size and shape of the breast along with consistency of the breast tissue. The final size is intended to be proportional to your overall body shape rather than a specific cup size and the merits of this will be discussed prior to your surgery along with the planned technique.

The surgery itself takes about 3 hours depending on the size and shape of the breast. 

Additional time is required for the anaesthetic component of the procedure and can add an hour to the allocated time.

A breast reduction is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital facility.

Recovery and results

Most patients stay in hospital for 1-2 days for care of drain tubes and pain relief requirements. While the operation is significant, the pain is surprisingly minimal.

Recovery is arbitrarily said to be around 6 weeks. This allows adequate time for the wounds to heal and any swelling and bruising to subside.

A post-operative compression bra will be provided for comfort and to help reduce swelling. You will be able to get all wounds wet after 48 hours. It is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise for the 6 weeks, however, plenty of gentle walking is encouraged.