Do I need a breast reduction? Who it helps and what to try first

Who it helps most

For many women a breast reduction is less about looks than about living without pain. The weight of large breasts pulls on the neck and shoulders, digs grooves where the bra straps sit, and traps sweat underneath, which in Lagos heat often leads to rashes and fungal infection. Some women avoid exercise, cannot find clothes that fit, or feel stared at.

• Neck, back or shoulder pain that comes from the weight of the breasts
• Deep grooves on the shoulders from bra straps
• Rashes, soreness or infection in the fold under the breasts
• Difficulty running, exercising or doing your job
• Breasts out of proportion to the rest of your body, affecting how you feel

Try these first

A professionally fitted, supportive bra makes a real difference for many women, and many are wearing the wrong size. Physiotherapy can help neck and back pain. If you are overweight, losing weight may make the breasts smaller and lighter. Keep the skin under the breasts dry and treat rashes early. If all of this has not helped, surgery is a reasonable next step.

When to wait

Surgery is best when your breasts have finished developing, your weight is steady, and you have finished, or are not planning, pregnancy and breastfeeding soon. Pregnancy and weight change can alter the result. If you smoke, stop well before surgery: smoking is the main cause of wound healing problems. A teenager with very large breasts can be seen, but surgery is usually delayed until growth has stopped.

Any lump in the breast, nipple discharge, or skin changes should be checked first, and depending on your age you may need a breast scan before surgery.

What the operation and recovery involve

Under general anaesthetic, breast tissue, fat and skin are removed and the nipple is moved up on its own blood supply. The scar goes around the areola and straight down, and for larger reductions along the fold under the breast as well. Most women feel the weight relief straight away. Expect soreness and swelling for the first week, desk work after one to two weeks for most, and exercise from about six weeks as your surgeon allows.

Risks include changes in nipple feeling, being unable to breastfeed, slow healing where the scars meet, uneven breasts, and scars that thicken on keloid-prone skin.

Breast reduction or breast lift?

If your breasts are not too heavy but have dropped after children or weight loss, a breast lift may suit you better than a reduction. A surgeon can tell you which fits after an examination.

Common questions