Breast Reduction Before and After Photos: Look Out for These 6 Things

If you’re considering any cosmetic surgery, naturally, you want to look at before and after photos. Analysing before and after images is a crucial part of the journey to finding the right plastic surgeon. If you’re thinking about getting a breast reduction, you need to see if your plastic surgeon has experience in producing the types of results you want to achieve. Keep reading to learn 6 things to look for in breast reduction before and after photos. 

What Happens During Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction is one of the most popular surgical procedures in the UK, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons. Having overly large breasts that are out of proportion with the rest of your body can really impact your quality of life. Large breasts can cause rashes, back pain and make it difficult to exercise. 

During breast reduction surgery, your plastic surgeon will make your breasts smaller by removing excess fat, skin, and breast tissue. The nipples will then be lifted into a higher, more youthful position. There are several techniques or approaches that your surgeon may use for your breast reduction, depending on your individual case. 

In general, your surgeon will make an incision around the nipple and then down the breast. They will then remove excess skin, tissue, and fat before reshaping the breast. Finally, they will reposition the nipple. 

Breast Reduction Before and After Photos 

Before and after breast reduction - lollipop technique - the Harley Clinic

Why You Should Evaluate Cosmetic Surgery Before and After Photos 

For most patients, one of the first things you want to do after deciding to go ahead with cosmetic surgery is to look at before and after photos. You can get photos of all types of procedures, from breast augmentation and breast fat transfer to liposuction. Looking through these images can be inspirational and educational in helping you understand the type of result you could achieve. In addition, before and after images help to show your plastic surgeon’s skill, experience, and artistry. 

What Should You Look for in Breast Reduction Before and After Photos?

When looking at breast reduction results, keep a critical eye. Understanding what to look for can help simplify the process of evaluating before and after photos. 

1. Start with Before Images 

The first step is to look at breast reduction before images that are most like you in age, characteristics, and size. Breast reduction patients come in all shapes and sizes. But to gauge how the result of the procedure could look on you, it’s a good idea to start looking at images that most resemble your characteristics. 

It’s unrealistic to think that you can achieve the same result as someone who doesn’t share any of your characteristics. Look for someone who shares a similar shape or size to you so that you can start to see what your results could look like. 

2. Consistent Results 

When you look at breast reduction, you’re not looking for one perfect result. Each result is tailored to a specific person’s unique anatomy and desired outcome. Instead, you’re looking for consistent results. The breast reduction results should look natural and consistent. 

3. Natural Results 

When evaluating breast reduction before and after photos, you’re looking for natural results. If the breasts look unnatural either in size, shape or profile, consider speaking to another plastic surgeon. Natural breast placement and results are crucial. Patients should look natural and that applies to their pose too. Look for a variety of poses so you can see the results from plenty of different angles. 

4. Breast Symmetry 

With any type of breast surgery, there should be either maintained or improved symmetry. This should be easy to miss if you’re not concentrating. But if you notice that symmetry is either not maintained or worse, this could be a red flag. It’s normal for people to have some natural asymmetry, and most skilled surgeons work to create symmetry. 

5. Breast Reduction Scars

Your breast reduction scars are an essential consideration when deciding to go ahead with the procedure. In the before and after images, look for strategically placed breast reduction scars. An experienced plastic surgeon places scars in the natural folds of the body wherever possible. 

Depending on the technique your surgeon uses, breast reduction scars can look a little different. For example, with a vertical breast reduction, the scar should look like a lollipop. So, it should follow the outline of the areola and then go down to the crease of the breast. 

Breast uplift with small reduction and liposuction

Keep in mind the scarring will look different at various stages of breast reduction recovery. It’s normal for scars to look red and raised in the beginning. Incisions should be healed at around 3-4 weeks. But scarring will likely look much more faded over a few months to a year. That’s why it’s useful to look at breast reduction photos at different stages of recovery. 

6. New vs. Final Results 

It’s important to understand the difference between new and final results. A fresh scar will look redder and raised. In contrast, an older scar will look paler and flatter. Photos taken after the procedure can be at different times of the recovery process. If the photos are too soon after the surgery, ask your surgeon to see photos 6-months post-op to evaluate the difference. 

What Else Do You Need to Consider for Your Breast Reduction?

Align the Results with Your Expectations 

While it’s important that a plastic surgeon has proven, consistent and beautiful results, do they align with your expectations? It’s good to approach breast reduction before and after photos with healthy scepticism. After all, it’s your body, and you want to do the best thing for yourself. It’s crucial that you have realistic expectations of the procedure. 

However, it’s okay if your expectations don’t align with your surgeon’s results. The results may not fit your ideal, and it’s important that you share this with your potential surgeon, so they can provide the best advice possible. 

Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon 

Evaluating breast reduction before and after photos is a crucial part of choosing your plastic surgeon. Before you even think about picking up the phone or booking a cosmetic surgery consultation, look at the before and after photos. 

If you like the results you’re seeing, the next step is to check that your plastic surgeon has all the right qualifications. Dr Riaz Agha explains all the qualifications your plastic surgeon should have in the video below. 

When you feel confident that you have found the one, have a thorough consultation and ask plenty of questions. You should leave your consultation feeling confident, at ease, and positive. Qualifications and results are crucial, but you should also feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon and confident that they will achieve the result you want. 

Don’t forget to ask about aftercare, as it’s an essential part of the recovery process and obtaining optimal results. Ask how you will be contacted after your surgery and what appointments you will have. What will happen if there are complications? These are crucial questions to ask and will be helpful in making your decision. 

Here are some more questions you could ask during your consultation to give you an idea of what you will discuss: 

  • What is your experience with breast reduction surgery?
  • How often do you perform breast reduction procedures?
  • How much is a breast reduction cost in the UK? 

Choosing your plastic surgeon is a very personal decision, so take the time to do your research and make sure you’re happy to move forward. At the Harley Clinic, we provide various finance options so you can spread out your breast reduction cost. 

What are the Benefits of a Breast Reduction?

In 2021, breast reduction was the second most popular procedure in the UK, trailing behind breast augmentation. Breast enlargement has remained one of the top procedures for women for several years. But an increasing number of people are looking to reduce the size of their breasts to improve their quality of life. 

A successful breast reduction should help to alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain caused by overly large breasts. If large breasts stopped you from participating in exercise or certain sports, then a breast reduction could have a massive impact on your life. Living a more active lifestyle is hugely attractive for many. When large breasts get in the way of running or going for a walk, decreasing breast size could open doors to a new way of living. 

Breast lift and reduction 1 week later - the Harley Clinic

Breast Reduction Q & A

Do breasts look normal after reduction?

Immediately after a breast reduction surgery, your breasts may feel firmer and look rounder due to the slight swelling that comes after the procedure. However, once you fully recover, which may be six months later, your breasts will soften, and you will notice a change in size. Therefore, during this process, you are often required to remain patient and follow your surgeon’s recommendations on how to care for yourself to ensure a smooth recovery process.

How many sizes do you go down after breast reduction?

The sizes you go down during breast reduction vary from one patient to another. Some often aim to lose around two cup sizes, while others just one cup size, which is the most common size many tend to go down. All this information is established during your consultation with your surgeon, who identifies the specific size you wish to go down based on your breast appearance goals and body shape. These factors also define how small you can go during breast reduction.

What do breasts look like after a reduction?

After a breast reduction surgery, breasts are usually swollen, appear quite high on your chest, and may be cone-shaped. Therefore, they may not look as expected within the first few weeks since they also have visible scars. However, this changes throughout the recovery process, especially within the first three months, whereby the swelling reduces and the gravity causes the breasts to drop to a more natural appearance. After six months, when the breasts are usually completely healed, they gain their natural shape, feel, and appearance.

Lollipop breast reduction and VASER liposuction to breasts, axilla/lateral chest and 360 abdomen - The Harley Clinc

What is the best age to get a breast reduction?

Breast reduction is often done for various reasons. These include improving physical appearance and, for medical purposes, in cases where an individual experiences rapid growth of their breasts, resulting in back and neck pain. Therefore, the procedure can be done earlier for medical purposes to improve your health. However, for aesthetics purposes, most plastic surgeons recommend that you would need to be at least 18 as this is when your breasts have stopped growing. 

How painful is a breast reduction?

Breast reduction is one of the most common plastic surgeries among men and women globally. It is not painful during the surgery since anaesthesia is administered. However, you will feel sore two to three days after the procedure, but your surgeon will prescribe pain medications throughout the recovery process if required. Moreover, the surgeon often provides additional recommendations to manage any pain you may experience. These include the use of wrapped ice packs to place them over the sore areas gently.

Do breasts grow back after reduction?

Although rare, breasts can grow back after reduction. Therefore, after your surgeon removes a portion of your breast tissue, the remaining part may later increase in size. However, it is important to note that this happens due to various factors. These include weight gain, pregnancy which initiates the increase in breast size, breastfeeding, menopause, hormonal changes, ageing, and medications. In general, breast reduction can provide long-lasting results, but it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight. 

Breast Reduction Surgery at The Harley Clinic 

Whether you’re thinking about undergoing a breast reduction, Vaser liposuction, or a tummy tuck, before and after photos are a key part of the research process. Often, patient photos will help you to determine whether you want to continue the conversation and book a consultation with a plastic surgeon. 

If you’re considering breast reduction at our Harley Street breast clinic, contact the team at the Harley Clinic to book a consultation. Talk through your options, ask plenty of questions and find the right plastic surgeon for you. 

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