Breast Reduction Surgery

A breast reduction (mammoplasty) will reduce the size of larger breasts, which can cause backache, neck pain, marks in the shoulders from bra straps and rashes under the breasts. The tissue is removed to make your breasts smaller and your breasts are lifted to give you your desired shape.

Before your surgery you will have a full consultation with one of our Plastic Surgeons. Then you will have a pre-operative assessment with our dedicated nurse in charge of preoperative care.

Following the day of your discharge, you will be given your post-operative dressing appointments. These appointments are set in advance, however if you cannot attend, it is recommended that you visit your GP instead. You will also be seen by your consultant 6-8 weeks post surgery when most of your healing has occurred. For your complete assurance, there is a nurse-on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to answer any questions you may have after your procedure.

Your procedure will be carried out here in Avoca Clinic, Kilmacanogue. The choice is yours and the surgery requires one overnight stay. However, we would recommend testing the tissue removed during the operation.

No. Getting a breast reduction procedure in no way increases the risk of contracting breast cancer.

The operation itself takes place over two to three hours (depending on the patient). It is recommended that patients stay overnight either for one or two nights post-operatively. Like any surgery of its kind, you will be expected not to eat or drink before the operation; and you should allow some recovery time. A patient's BMI must be 34 or under for this procedure.

Firstly, one of Consultant Plastic Surgeons will meet with you to:

• Evaluate health and medical history
• Discuss what you want and hope for this surgery to achieve
• Examine and measure your breasts
• Inform you to stop taking any oral medication that contain estrogen

Prior to the surgery, you will be asked to:

• Not eat or drink the night beforehand
• Remove makeup, nail varnish and deodorant
• Stop smoking prior to consultation and at least 6 weeks prior to the procedure.

We don’t provide mammograms.  We require that women over 50 are up to date with their Breast Check appointments.

We notify patients that a breast reduction may affect their ability to breastfeed.  So, if that is a concern, they would be advised to wait until they have finished the breastfeeding phase of parenting.

The good news is that techniques have evolved and most women in the hands of our expert surgeons at The Avoca Clinic will just have the periareolar incision or ‘lollipop scar’. The recovery time varies from patient to patient but most women, who diligently follow our discharge instructions will be back at work within 10 days of this procedure.

For your complete assurance, there is a nurse on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year to answer any questions you may have after your procedure. Post-surgery you will have all the reassurance that comes with our “Open Door” aftercare policy. It’s simple: once you have been treated at The Avoca Clinic, our door will always be open to you, anytime you need us. So, when we promise to take care of you before, during, and after your procedure, we really mean it.

Breast reduction is usually implemented to improve a patient’s general comfort and quality of life. Because it is a surgical process, there is an incision made, and you will be placed under general anesthesia. Patients typically require pain relief for up to 3- 5 days postoperatively and some experience fatigue during the recovery time.

The recovery time varies from patient to patient: Most women who diligently follow discharge instructions will be back at work within 7 to 10 days of this procedure.

Following surgery, you will be wearing a support or post-op bra when you leave our clinic. You will be asked to follow our discharge instructions so that you will recover as safely and speedily as possible.

As with all our surgeries, you will have all the reassurance that comes with our open-door aftercare policy. Once you have been treated at The Avoca Clinic, our door will always be open to you, anytime you need us. So, when we say we take care of you before, during and after your procedure, we really mean it.

Can breasts grow back after breast reduction?

While your breasts won’t grow back to their original size and shape after a breast reduction surgery, other life factors can still affect the size and shape of your breasts. These include weight gain, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Breast reduction surgery carries some risks – like any surgery does. The most dangerous risks are highly unlikely, however. These include bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Breast reduction scars tend to be minimal and fast-healing.

Minor complications include bruising (which tends to be temporary), breastfeeding difficulties, or loss of sensitivity.

Avoca Clinic takes every step to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects of surgery. We have an open-door policy to all former patients, as well as comprehensive post-surgery care: For your complete assurance, there is a nurse on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer any questions you may have after your procedure.

The effects of breast reduction surgery are long-term. Some events can change the size of a patient’s breasts after surgery, such as breastfeeding, pregnancy and weight gain. However, the effects of these events are more significant for women who have not undergone breast reduction surgery.