What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery, or mammaplasty, removes breast tissue, fat, and skin to reshape and reduce breast size. In doing so, the surgery aims to provide women with a more proportionate figure and alleviate any discomfort caused by overly large breasts.

Breast reduction surgery at the CREO Clinic can ease discomfort, improve mobility, make clothing fit better, and support healthier sleep – significantly enhancing quality of life. Dr. Omar Tillo, our medical director and senior plastic surgeon, is highly experienced in breast reduction and reconstruction, helping women achieve results tailored to their needs, from subtle reshaping to dramatic reductions.

Having completed breast reduction surgeries of various levels of complexity, Dr. Tillo has the skills and expertise necessary to design a bespoke surgical procedure according to the patient’s unique anatomy and requirements, producing breast reduction results that look and feel natural.

If you are considering breast reduction surgery, speak with Dr. Tillo to discuss your cosmetic concerns, desired outcome, and suitability for the procedure.

Overview of Breast Reduction Procedure

Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery in London

Breast reduction surgery with Dr. Omar Tillo at the CREO Clinic offers both physical relief and emotional confidence and certain medical advantages. Key benefits include:

• Relief from Pain: Reduces back, neck, and shoulder strain caused by heavy breasts.
• Better Sleep: Allows for more comfortable rest in any position.
• Less Skin Irritation: Eases chafing and makes it easier to find supportive bras.
• Freedom to Exercise: Improves comfort and mobility during physical activity.
• Improved Clothing Fit: Expands wardrobe options and enhances personal style.
• Boosted Confidence: Creates a more balanced figure and lifts self-esteem.
• Better Posture: Lightens breast weight for a healthier stance.

Breast Reduction Before and After

Breast Reduction

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Who is a Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?

Women experiencing pain, skin irritation, or difficulty with clothing due to large breasts may benefit from surgery, which creates a more proportionate and comfortable breast size. At the CREO Clinic, candidates should have a BMI of 30 or under (use our BMI calculator to see if you qualify).

Physical Symptoms of Large Breasts

Disproportionately large breasts can cause more than cosmetic concerns. In fact, they often lead to physical discomfort. Signs you may need a breast reduction include:

• Pain in the back, neck, shoulders, or breasts
• Numbness in the breasts, arms, or hands from excess weight and posture issues
• Skin rashes or infections beneath the breasts
• Shoulder grooves from bra straps
• Difficulty exercising or staying active
• Shortness of breath from chest heaviness
  

These symptoms are strong indicators that a breast reduction may help.

Breast Reduction Cost in London

In general, the cost of breast reduction surgery in London at the CREO Clinic starts from £9,550. As a bespoke surgery, the cost of a breast reduction procedure varies depending on the surgical needs of each patient. 

Therefore, the exact price of your treatment and any available breast reduction financing options will be determined following a consultation with Dr. Tillo. You will also receive answers to your other breast reduction questions.

A minimum deposit of £1,500 is required for all procedures. Please see our financing page for up to date interest rates and T&C’s. 

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Types of Breast Reduction

Our plastic surgeon, Dr. Tillo, may perform one of three breast reduction incisions depending on the nature of your breasts:

Circular Incision: A small cut around the areola, leaving minimal breast reduction scarring. Best for minor reductions.

Lollipop (Keyhole) Incision: An incision around the areola (sometimes called a lollipop) plus a vertical cut to the breast crease. Allows for greater tissue removal and reshaping.

Anchor (Inverted-T) Incision: Adds a horizontal cut along the breast crease to the lollipop method. Ideal for larger reductions, drooping, or asymmetry.

Breast Reduction Surgery Steps

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and typically lasts 2.5–3 hours. The main steps include:

1. Anaesthesia & Incisions – You’ll be put under general anaesthetic, and your surgeon will make the most suitable incisions for your needs.
2. Tissue Removal – Excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue are removed to reduce breast size.
3. Areola Reshaping – The areola may be resized and repositioned for balance.
4. Closing Incisions – Dissolvable sutures are used, so no removal is needed later.
5. Recovery Support – A compression garment is applied, pain relief may be prescribed, and you’ll receive detailed aftercare guidance.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Swelling and tenderness are common for the first 2–3 weeks, with most patients returning to work after about a week. Strenuous activity should be avoided for up to 6 weeks. Initially, breasts may feel tight and sit higher, but they gradually settle into a natural position. Final results are visible after around 3 months once post-surgical swelling subsides, and recovery may be smoother if patients have lost weight before surgery.

Complementary Procedures

Mummy Makeover

Breast reduction is often part of a mummy makeover – a combination of surgeries that restore the areas most affected by pregnancy. This may include a breast lift or augmentation, a tummy tuck, and liposuction to contour the waist, hips, and thighs. Moreover, breast reductions and tummy tucks can be performed together. Dr. Tillo has extensive experience performing these transformative procedures, helping women feel more confident in their post-pregnancy bodies.

Breast Reduction and Lift

A breast lift reshapes and elevates sagging breasts without changing their size. When combined with a breast reduction, the two procedures work together to create a more balanced, lifted, and natural result. In fact, most breast reductions include some degree of lifting.

Breast Reduction, Lift, and Augmentation with Implants

Breast augmentation enlarges and reshapes the breasts, adding fullness to the upper pole. While it may seem contradictory, combining reduction and augmentation – sometimes called the “addition-subtraction” procedure – is ideal for women with large, droopy breasts and deflated upper poles. This approach reduces and lifts the breasts while using implants to restore roundness and lasting fullness that reduction alone cannot achieve.

Areola Reduction 

To maintain natural proportions, surgeons may resize or reposition the areola during breast reduction, tailoring the result to your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Breast Reduction FAQs