Dr Norris performs breast reduction in fully accredited facilities. This is for your safety and to ensure optimum quality of care throughout the operation and the immediate postoperative period. The anaesthetist that Dr Norris works with, Dr Ross Foreman, will give you a general anaesthetic. You can expect the operation to take between 3-4 hours.

There are a number of techniques for breast reduction and this determines where the incisions are made and the subsequent scars. Dr Norris has trained extensively in the use of short-scar techniques which are aimed at reducing the lengths of your scars. This will most commonly involve restricting you scar to one that encircles the areola (periareolar scar) and one that passes downwards from the areola to the fold beneath the breast (vertical scar). Very occasionally it is possible to leave only a periareolar scar. However, not all women have breasts that are suitable for short-scar techniques and will require the more traditional technique that involves an upside down T-shaped incision resulting in a periareolar and vertical scar plus a scar lying in the fold beneath the breast. The best option for you is something you will decide with Dr Norris after a complete assessment of your breasts.

The procedure usually involves moving the nipples to a higher position on the chest wall during the breast reduction. In the vast majority of cases they remain attached to their blood and nerve supplies when they are moved. In very large breast reductions this may not be possible, in which case the nipple-areola complex is completely removed and grafted back onto the breast after it has been reduced.

Liposuction may be used in addition to surgical reduction to further enhance the result of your procedure.

At the end of the operation a drain is placed beneath each breast which will usually be removed 1-2 days later. The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures to save you the inconvenience of having them removed. A dressing is applied over the incisions and you will leave the hospital wearing a comfortable and supportive surgical bra.

Most patients go home the next day after a night of rest. However, if the drains are not ready to be removed then you will need to stay another night. When you go home you will require a friend, family member or partner to drive you as you won’t be able to drive yourself for two weeks. You will leave with written postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain-relief and antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment with Dr Norris for one week.

At home you will experience the most discomfort in the first 3 or 4 days after the surgery. Some degree of discomfort is normal and your breasts and nipples will be bruised, swollen, tender, and sensitive to touch. Most of these symptoms settle quickly so that you can return to most of your usual daily activities after 2 weeks. The swelling will take longer to settle – usually 6-8 weeks.

Many women will be able to start light exercise at two weeks after the procedure, but more rigorous and strenuous exercise and activities should not be started for 6-8 weeks.

You may feel comfortable enough to return to work two weeks after the operation unless work involves heavy use of the upper body or lifting, in which case 4 weeks off work should be allowed.

At one week after the procedure you will have a follow-up appointment with Dr Norris in the consulting rooms. This is to check on how you are feeling, make sure the wounds are healing without problem, change the dressings, and reassure you that your postoperative course is going to plan.

If at any time before this first follow-up appointment, or at any time after this you note a problem or have any concerns at all please contact Dr Norris immediately.

The scars will be at their most prominent at 6 weeks and may remain this way for a few months. However, they will then begin to fade and become much less noticeable. Dr Norris uses various methods to minimize the impact of your scars and recommends massaging and moisturizing the scars to help this process.