A breast reduction surgery may be medically necessary to correct postural issues, or may be done for aesthetic reasons to give you more self-confidence, and flexibility in your choice of attire.

Breast Reduction is a good option in the following cases:

• Disproportionately large breasts causing back, shoulder or neck pain
• Concerns about playing sports or being appropriately active due to large breast size
• Correction of natural breast asymmetries
• Correction of asymmetry following significant weight loss, pregnancy, or breast feeding
• Inability to wear desired attire due to oversized breasts

It is very essential for me that you are clear on why you are considering breast reduction. So, even before your initial consultation, you should reflect on some questions:

• Are you clear about what is wrong with your breasts?
• Are you experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain?
• Are you thinking of breast reduction as a life-changing procedure?
• What are your goals and expectations from the surgery?
• Will you be comfortable and confident with the changes from the surgery?
• Do you understand that the correct size for you is specific to your body contours?
• Do you accept that minor flaws are likely to remain?

I will be asking you these questions in my initial consultation, and your answers will help me to assess whether you are a right candidate for this surgery.

If you are an adult woman, who has very large breasts which cause discomfort, is in generally good health, not currently pregnant or breast-feeding, ideally a non-smoker, have a positive attitude, and have realistic expectations from the surgery, you are potentially a good candidate for breast reduction.

I will be keenly assessing your suitability for breast reduction through your answers in our initial consultation, and will proceed only if satisfied that you are a good candidate.

Breast reduction can be done in various ways depending upon your specific circumstances – volume of reduction to be achieved, the existing shape and slope of your breasts, and the desired outcome.

The different types of breast reduction techniques have the incisions and scars in different places, but none of the scars would be visible with regular attire:

• Breast Reduction via Liposuction/ Periareolar Reduction Type
• Vertical or “Lollipop” Type Reduction, with Lejour Technique
• Inverted-T or Anchor Type Reduction

Breast Reduction via Liposuction

Breast reduction can be achieved via liposuction alone, in cases where only a moderate reduction in breast size is required, the candidate does not have drooping breasts, and has good breast skin elasticity. The incision in this case is just around the areola. The advantage of breast reduction through liposuction are: shorter procedure, less-invasive, minimal scarring, and long-lasting results.

Vertical or “Lollipop” Type Reduction

This breast reduction technique is used for moderate reduction in breast size and moderate sagging correction. The technique requires 2 incisions. The cut starts around the areola, goes straight down to the crease under the breast.

A variant of the vertical type reduction is the Lejour technique, which is best accomplished only by skilled breast surgeons. The incision starts around the areola, and goes down the breast, but not under it. This technique permits small, medium or large adjustments to breast size, and allows to maintain better shape and fullness, and helps counteract the effect of gravity.

Inverted-T or Anchor Type Reduction

This method of breast reduction is used when considerable breast size reduction or sagging correction is required, as it permits maximum flexibility in excess fat and tissue removal and reshaping. This technique requires 3 incisions. The first cut starts is around the areola, the second goes straight down to the breast crease, and the final one is under the breast. Visually, the cut looks like an inverted-T or the anchor of a ship, hence the name.

The technique I will use for you will be determined after a complete evaluation of your anatomy and based on your desired aesthetic goals. I specialize in the Lejour technique of breast reduction, and that is usually my preferred choice for its flexibility and advantages.

It is quite possible that you will be unable to breastfeed after a breast reduction, so you should carefully consider that in your decision-making process. In some cases, women are able to breastfeed even after the surgery, but there is no guarantee.

I will discuss your maternity plans during our consultation and determine the right technique for you based on those discussions and other pertinent factors. If you have motherhood plans, I would suggest that you defer your surgery until after you have finished nursing your child.

A Breast reduction surgery has lasting results. If you do not gain weight, you will retain your reduced breast size. Pregnancy and breast-feeding could also impact the size of your breasts.

The surgery itself takes 2-3 hours, is usually an outpatient one, and you can go home the same day. Most women are able to resume work within 7-10 days, and might need just 1 week leave from work along with 2 weekends.

I will prescribe what exercises will need to be done to aid recovery, medication, etc. Heavy exercises should only be resumed after my consent.

Every surgery carries some risks, but at this stage of my experience and expertise, the risks that my patients have are minimal. Standard risks include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Infections of any kind
• Scars (though these will fade over time)
• Reduction/ loss of sensation in nipple or breast
• Damage to milk glands, nerves, ducts – inability to breastfeed

Risks are minimized in the hands of an expert surgeon, by doing the surgery in a good, licensed clinic or facility, following proper protocols; and by the patient carrying out all given instructions – both before and after surgery.

Breast reduction cost varies based on the following factors:

• Type of surgery and the extent of reduction needed
• Whether the procedure is being done under general or local anesthesia
• Whether it involves overnight stay
• Hospital/ Clinic used for the surgery
• Skill & expertise of the breast surgeon

When breast reduction is done as a cosmetic procedure, insurance does not cover the cost. If, however, it is done for medical reasons, all or part of the cost may be covered by insurance. Please check with your insurance provider about your policy entitlement.

Another significant aspect to take into consideration, besides just the initial surgical costs, is your comfort factor with the breast surgeon, and your faith in the surgeon’s expertise. Pay a bit more – but be sure, and be comfortable with your surgeon.

To know the cost applicable for your specific case, please book a consultation.

The choice of your breast surgeon is a decision to be made with due care. While cost is a relevant consideration, there are other more important factors that should determine your decision:

• Qualifications and certification, specifically plastic surgery related certifications and memberships, such as membership of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• Years of experience as a plastic surgeon, number of surgeries done
• Number of breast surgeries done
• Proof of work – before/ after images
• Patient testimonials
• Surgeon reputation
• Your comfort factor with the surgeon, his manners, his patience in answering your questions
• Surgeon’s philosophy regarding patient safety

You are planning a significant surgery, and one that requires very specialized training and even artistic flair, so it’s extremely important that you decide wisely. Pay more if needed, but choose a surgeon who has an extensive portfolio of successful breast surgeries. Make sure that you are fully comfortable with your surgeon.

I have done many over 1,000 breast surgeries, including revision breast surgeries for patients unsatisfied with results of prior surgeries done elsewhere. You can read my full profile here.

The clinic or hospital for your breast reduction surgery done should be carefully chosen. Ensure that the facility is licensed. A hospital is not necessary for a breast surgery, an accredited/ licensed clinic is just fine.

The clinic should have a licensed anesthetist on board, competent nursing and operations staff, and the surgical room should be clean and hygienic.

Ministry of Health (MOH), Dubai regularly conducts inspection of all medical and surgical facilities in Dubai and license is granted or renewed only if the prescribed conditions regarding hygiene, safety, etc. are met.

My medical center – Cocoona Center for Aesthetic Transformation, Dubai is an MOH-licensed clinic, and we are permitted to perform surgeries under local anesthesia. We also have competent anesthesiolgists on board, and a full team of caring and professional nurses, patient counselors, and other support staff.

If your surgery needs to be performed under general anesthesia, we can do it at another licensed facility of your choice, or where we have a tie-up.

After I’m through with my initial questions to you, and upon getting an idea of your expectations from the surgery, I will do a breast examination. I will evaluate the following:

• Breast proportions – size, symmetry, nipple height and position
• Breast footprint
• Volume and quality of breast tissue
• Skin elasticity

I use computer morphing to display and discuss the final post-procedure possibilities. That gives a visual idea of the possible outcome. I discourage extensive computer morphing, as it can be unrealistic and causes misunderstanding between patient and doctor.

Based on my findings from the examination and our earlier discussion, I will determine which method of breast surgery would be most suited for your specific case.

The basic breast reduction process involves making incisions at specific places, based on type of surgery and other factors, under the breast crease, and/ or, around the areola; removing excess fatty tissue through the incision, repositioning the areola and nipple, if needed; and then closing the incisions.

Your surgery will be done either at an accredited day care surgical facility such as my medical center in Dubai – Cocoona or a hospital, depending upon your choice, and anesthesia considerations.

Understanding the process involves knowing about anesthesia, basic surgery steps, post-procedure recovery, return to normalcy, risks involved, and expected results.

• What anesthesia is used?

The procedure involves some form of anesthesia. Depending on the incision type, the surgery can be done under local anesthesia with sedation, though it is usually done under general anesthesia with sedation.

• What type of breast reduction will be done for you?

The type of breast reduction technique that will be followed for you is a decision that I will arrive at based on your anatomy. the extent of changes that are needed to achieve the desired shape, your cosmetic expectations from the surgery, and your motherhood plans.

There isn’t one best approach and technique – I will customize your surgery plan exclusively for you.

• How is a natural looking shape attained?

The key to performing a natural looking breast reduction surgery is to understand the proportions of the breast in relation to the rest of the anatomy – which is both a science and an art, correct the aesthetics, and have minimal visible scarring.

It’s also important to understand that a breast size or height that looks beautiful and natural in another person, might look out-of-place in your body, as each person’s natural anatomy is differently proportioned.

As a surgeon who takes immense pride in his work, I always strive for results that look perfectly natural relative to my patients’ body contours. That objective is best achieved, not by excessive changes, but by proportionate changes. It is for this reason that I restrict computer simulations, and refuse to do excessive structural modifications.

At this stage, you are likely to have few more questions for me to clarify. Some such questions are covered herein. I will be glad to answer these and any other concerns you have.

• What is the recovery phase immediately after the procedure? 

After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for 2-3 hours. Once awake, you will be asked to stretch and move your hands. You will have an IV fluid drip, and a urinary catheter.

Following the surgery, your breasts will be bandaged. There will be swelling, bruising, pain, and soreness for 2-3 weeks, which will be minimized through medication. You will be prescribed ointments, pain medication and antibiotics to help recovery. You will be given instructions on changing your bandages, keeping your wounds clean, and bathing.

Most of my patients return to normal activities in 4-8 weeks after surgery. Intensive exercise can be undertaken only after my express consent, and could take many more weeks.

• What should be done post-surgery to improve the results? 

Strictly follow the recommended post-surgery plan for faster recovery – including taking your medications, and keeping your follow-up appointments schedule. The surgical wounds will require regular dressings and you will be given the schedule.

You will be provided a special bra to provide comfort to your breasts.

Keep a generally healthy lifestyle to retain your results. Do regular breast mammogram or ultrasound to check your breast health and condition.

• When will the results be visible? 

Your new breast shape will be visible within 3-5 weeks once the swelling has subsided, and the skin around the breasts has settled.