Advertisement

Doja Cat has undergone breast reduction surgery

breast reduction
‘This is how it feels to have breast reduction'Jonas Hafner / EyeEm - Getty Images

Every year, more people undergo breast reductions than you might think. Pamela Anderson, Drew Barrymore and more recently, Doja Cat, are just a few of the celebrities who have opened up about undergoing breast reduction surgery, while the term #breastreduction has over 1 billion views on TikTok.

To add, breast reduction surgery is in the top three cosmetic surgery operations performed in the UK. And, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons’ 2020 audit, 4,245 women took on the surgery via private practice in 2019 – making it the second most ‘popular’ treatment recorded after breast augmentation.

While available through the NHS, the number of breast reductions carried out per year on the health service unclear. The figure is understood to be significantly lower than those from private clinics, though, due to the strict criteria NHS candidates have to meet. Something of a postcode lottery is also at play, as some local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) – a team of experts who commission healthcare services in communities – don’t fund the procedure, while others do.

As a result, it can be difficult to get a fully-funded reduction, and the alternative is expensive: around £6,500 - £8,000.

When it comes to NHS procedure: A GP will check whether you meet the criteria of the local CCG, which will often include your BMI (which must be between 20 and 27 – if yours is currently over that, you may be asked to lose weight), the size of your breasts, whether other options have been tried and your age. If these are all in line, then your doctor can refer you to a breast or plastic surgeon for assessment. But that's not the end of the road. You case will be passed onto a panel of local CCG representatives, who will then make the final decision.

To be considered, you'll need to evidence experience of serious problems due to the size of your breasts, such as shoulder or neck pain, back aches, irritated skin, an inability to take part in sports or exercise and psychological distress.

The fact that getting one approved is so hard can be frustrating – when it comes to the motivation for a breast reduction, it's usually very little to do with how you look and is more to do with debilitating and chronic pain. 'Aesthetics rarely come into it,' explains Dr Naveen Cavale, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. 'Pain is the main reason – shoulders, neck, back, bra straps digging in, sores under the breasts. Some women can find the weight unbearable.'

How painful is breast reduction surgery?

Whether a private or an NHS path is taken, the surgery takes place under general anaesthetic and takes approximately three hours. You'll be in hospital for one or two days, though this does vary between patients. As you're is fully unconscious during the procedure there’ll be no pain then, however when coming around there is likely to be discomfort.

Dr Cavale says the pain isn’t as bad as people think. 'Most is from muscle stiffness, so if you keep your shoulders moving, the pain is less. You are usually able to do most light activities after five days or so,' but adds that the pain does vary a lot from person to person. The NHS also warns that a significant reduction can alter the shape and look of breasts, of scarring and possibly lost or altered nipple sensation since breast reduction surgery always involves changing the position of the nipples. There’s also a chance future breastfeeding won’t be possible.

Dr Cavale’s patients leave the surgery the same day but overnight stays are also possible depending on the surgery attended and individual factors.

How long does it take to recover from breast reduction surgery?

'Patients will need someone to help around the house for the first few days,' Dr Cavale says. 'I advise 10-14 days off work if you work in an office, longer if you do more manual work and no heavy-duty activity or sports for four weeks or so. You will also need to wear a compression bra for six weeks, 24/7, as it reduces swelling and makes things much more comfortable.'

Overall, full recovery can take around a year depending on the individual, and possibly longer for the scars to fully fade and for the breasts to look and feel ‘natural’ again.

What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?

According to the NHS, you should be aware of the following potential problems.

  • A significant reduction can alter the shape and look of your breasts

  • There will be scarring and possibly lost or altered nipple sensation

  • Your breasts can change in size and shape after surgery – for example, they may increase or decrease in size if you put on or lose weight

  • Breasts have a tendency to droop over time

  • Your breasts can get bigger during pregnancy and you may not be able to breastfeed after surgery – so you may need to wait until you're sure you do not want to have any more children

Are there alternatives to breast reduction surgery?

If the risks sound like too much, there are some possible alternative management techniques, according to the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). These include the following.

'Weight loss may reduce breast size and, having reduced weight (a guideline body mass index is 27 or less), some women may find they do not need surgery. Correctly fitting underwear and clothing can improve comfort and appearance. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective for body image problems.'

5 things to know about breast reduction surgery

There’s no size guarantee

'There’s no exact science with determining how many cup sizes you can drop, and a good plastic surgeon should inform you of this during the consultation stage,' says Dr Cavale. 'There is no guarantee of size, but instead, I perform a breast reduction that leaves the patient with breasts that are proportionate to their frame.'

You need to take time off work

'We advise patients to take 10 days off work if they’re going into the office, but if they’re working from home, which is a much more feasible option at the moment, then I would suggest they can work from home again from about 4 days in,' he adds.

You need to wear a sports bra post-surgery

'A sports bra is worn pretty much 24/7 for 6 weeks. This not only helps keep swelling and bleeding under control, it also reduces pain.'

Smokers are not eligible for the surgery

The risks are too high to perform this surgery on someone who smokes, says Cavale.

Spotting early breast cancer symptoms is still possible after a reduction

'As there is less breast remaining, theoretically, there is less tissue for cancer to develop in. It’s also often easier for patients to spot the early signs of breast cancer such as lumps, changes in texture as the breasts are smaller,' says Cavale. 'It’s worth noting that mammograms can still be carried out as normal post-reduction surgery too.'

What is it like to have breast reduction surgery?

Sophie Horne, 36, qualified for a breast reduction on the NHS when she was 21, as her JJ chest was majorly impacting her life. She had her breasts reduced to a 32DD.

Clothing, Dress, Shoulder, Photograph, Summer, Waist, One-piece garment, Street fashion, Day dress, Beauty,
Clothing, Dress, Shoulder, Photograph, Summer, Waist, One-piece garment, Street fashion, Day dress, Beauty,

'At about the age of 17 I went from having small boobs to suddenly having these humongous ones. There were barely any bras that could fit me, I got unwanted attention and just felt like a bit of a freak because I was so massively out of proportion.

'A chance encounter with a Bravissimo shop assistant, who’d had a reduction herself, set me on course for my own. She spoke to me candidly about the risks, her own experience, and eventually, I went to my GP and was successfully put on the NHS waiting list.

'In the six month interim between appointment and eventual surgery, I chickened out a couple of times, but eventually took the plunge. Because the reduction to a 32 DD was so dramatic I ended up in surgery for more than six hours and in hospital for three to four days. The most painful aspect was the removal of the tubes that had to be inserted to drain my breasts of excess fluid before I could leave the hospital.

'Getting the compression wrap off was difficult, too because it looks like you’ve been butchered. To someone thinking of getting a breast reduction, I would say, know that it does take a long time for them to really settle and for you to be completely happy with them.

'For me, though, the pros have wildly outweighed the cons. I could actually just start wearing the clothes I wanted. It was amazing.'

Holly Hope Harper, 34, had a private breast reduction in February this year, following an initial consultation in November 2019. After after getting really into fitness, her size G/H were restricting the way she wanted to move. She had her breasts reduced to a 36C.

Eyewear, Arm, Leg, Vision care, Glasses, Human body, Sunglasses, Leisure, Furniture, Chair,
Eyewear, Arm, Leg, Vision care, Glasses, Human body, Sunglasses, Leisure, Furniture, Chair,

'I wasn’t scared about the pain and I’m not scared of operations. But I was worried about getting back to work and about not being able to exercise. So I stayed overnight in the hospital for one day. I then went home and rested for one day and went straight back to work.

'My recovery time wasn’t painful but I did feel incredibly anxious. I was suddenly really vulnerable when getting the tube at rush hour even though I grew up in London and went to school in Central London. All of a sudden I couldn't protect myself and on one occasion I had a complete meltdown and burst into tears.

'Having the bandages on for so long and not being able to shower at all for six weeks was hard, too, as I had to rely on others in a way I wasn’t used to. I’d go round to my mum’s and have to sit in the bath while she helped clean me.

'I wish I’d taken longer to recover, as being right handed the scarring on my right breast is much more pronounced due to the activity of those first few days and weeks, but they are with every passing week starting to find their centre.

'I do feel happy with them and love them in clothes, although the scars are still relatively present. Even so, a recent trip was the first time that I bounced around in a bikini without feeling terrified I was being inappropriate. For the first time I feel like I can be sexy without feeling sexualised.'

Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER.

You Might Also Like