Breast Reduction Surgery Cost Scotland
When you have a lot of breast tissue, it can be uncomfortable and even painful to wear certain clothes, exercise, or even just sleep. If you’re tired of having to buy bras in all different sizes and styles just to find one that fits, you might be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits of breast reduction surgery, how much it costs in Scotland, and how to get started on your journey toward feeling better about your body.
Breast reduction (female)
Breast reduction is a major operation that can help make your breasts feel smaller, lighter and give them a better shape.
If you’re feeling very distressed about the size of your breasts, or they’re causing problems like backache, you might be able to have a breast reduction on the NHS.
If you’re thinking about breast reduction to change your appearance, rather than for health reasons, you’ll need to pay for it privately.
How much a breast reduction costs
In the UK, breast reduction surgery costs around £6,500, plus the cost of any consultations or follow-up care.
What to think about before you have a breast reduction
Before you go ahead, be sure about why you want a breast reduction. Take time to think about your decision.
Find out more about deciding whether cosmetic surgery is right for you
You could also speak to a GP about it.
Choosing a surgeon
If you’re having a breast reduction in England, check with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
All independent clinics and hospitals that provide cosmetic surgery in England must be registered with the CQC.
Be careful when searching the internet for breast reduction surgery. Some clinics may pay to advertise their services on search listings.
Check the surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). They should be listed on the specialist register and have a licence to practise.
Also, check the British Association of Plastic Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) to see if the surgeon is a “full member” on the specialist register for plastic surgery.
Always book an appointment to meet the surgeon before the procedure.
Ask your surgeon:
- about their qualifications and experience
- how many breast reduction operations they have performed
- how many operations they have performed where there have been complications
- what sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong
- what their patient satisfaction rates are
What breast reduction involves
Breast reduction surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. This means you’ll be asleep during the operation.
Generally, the operation involves:
- moving your nipple to its new position – usually while it’s still attached to the blood supply
- removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from your breasts
- reshaping the remaining breast tissue
The operation takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the breast reduction.
You’ll usually need to stay in hospital for 1 or 2 nights.
Afterwards
When you wake up after surgery, you’ll have dressings on your breasts and plastic tubes may be attached to them to drain blood away.
After 1 to 2 days, the tubes will be removed and you’ll usually be able to go home.
You may have some pain for a few days, which can be relieved with painkillers.
It’s likely your breasts will be swollen, and may feel tender and lumpy after surgery. The swelling may last for around 3 months.
You will not see what your breasts look like until the swelling has gone down.
Recovery
It can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from breast reduction surgery.
You may need to take 2 to 3 weeks off work, and need help with housework, childcare and shopping.
You should not drive until it’s no longer painful to wear a seatbelt. This may be several weeks.
Avoid stretching, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for up to 6 weeks after the operation.
Some surgeons suggest wearing a sports bra 24 hours a day for up to 3 months after breast surgery. Check with your surgeon.
The length of time you need to keep the dressings on depends on how quickly your wounds heal.
Stitches will need to be removed after a week or 2, unless they’re dissolvable.
Scars
You’ll probably have scars around your nipples.
You may also have a vertical scar running down your breast and a horizontal scar across the crease, below the breast (anchor-shaped).
Or you may only have a vertical scar running down your breast.
It depends on the type of surgery you have.
Scars are usually red for the first 6 weeks, but most fade over time and should be invisible under normal clothes, bras and bikini tops.
What could go wrong
Breast reduction surgery can sometimes result in problems, including:
- thick, obvious scarring
- unevenly shaped breasts or nipples
- wound healing problems
- loss of nipple sensation
- being permanently unable to breastfeed
- red or lumpy breasts if the fat dies (fat necrosis)
- excess skin left around the scars, which may need to be surgically removed
- bleeding inside the breast tissue (haematoma) – this generally happens within the first 24 hours after the operation
Also, any type of operation carries a small risk of:
- excessive bleeding
- infection
- an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
- a blood clot forming in the deep veins
Your surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they’d be treated if you have them.
What to do if you have problems
Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected.
Contact the clinic where you had the operation as soon as possible if you have severe pain or any unexpected symptoms, such as red skin, burning, or unusual swelling on or around your breast.
If you’re not happy with the results of your breast reduction, or you think the procedure was not carried out properly, speak to your surgeon at the hospital or clinic where you were treated.
You can contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC) if you have concerns about your care.
If necessary, you can make a complaint about a doctor to the General Medical Council (GMC).
The Royal College of Surgeons has more information and advice about what to do if things go wrong.
If you’re planning to have children
If you plan to have breast reduction surgery before having children (or more children), bear in mind that breasts can get larger again during pregnancy, which may affect the results of the operation.
There’s also a chance you will not be able to breastfeed after the operation.
Breast Reduction Scotland
If you are considering any breast surgery please check out all the tips and info on our blog. Contact us to arrange a consultation. Breast reduction Scotland cost: from £6,000.
Ms Lucy Khan and Mr Chris Cartlidge undertake expert breast reduction surgery. We conduct a comprehensive initial consultation and careful discussion about your goals and the look you want to achieve. Use this website to help your research and find the best breast reduction surgeon for you. Our clinics are in Edinburgh and Stirling. Our surgery uses minimal scars that are hidden in the lower fold of the breast and at the border of the areola.
Breast Reduction Surgeon
Large or heavy breasts can cause back, neck and shoulder pain. There can be skin problems from rubbing bra straps and rashes underneath the breast folds. Women are too often expected to just ‘put up with’ excessive attention if they have noticeable breasts. Breast reduction improves self-esteem, allows more vigorous exercise and weight loss and has a high patient satisfaction when performed by top breast reduction surgeons.
Outstanding Breast Reduction Results
We offer surgery for women with large breasts and are highly recommended. Anchor scar, vertical scar, circular scar and liposuction procedures all available. Leading breast specialists performing safe and effective surgery. Check below to find breast reduction clinics near me.
Prices from £6,000. 0% APR Finance available.
Why do people have breast reduction surgery?
Large, heavy breasts can cause a variety of physical symptoms. These include neck, shoulder and back pain. In addition, women considering breast reduction often have difficulty finding clothing that fits them, may experience discomfort when exercising, and may suffer from unwanted attention related to the size of their breasts. As a result, a careful and successful breast reduction has a high rate of patient satisfaction, and may significantly improve quality of life.