Breast reduction may be appropriate for patients who experience pain, discomfort or functional problems related to large breasts.

This can include:

• neck, shoulder or back pain
• shoulder grooving from bras
• recurrent rashes beneath the breasts
• difficulty exercising
• difficulty finding clothing that fits comfortably
• breasts that feel disproportionate to body shape
• self-consciousness or emotional distress relating to breast size.

Good candidates are generally medically well, at a stable weight and able to safely recover from surgery.

Factors that can affect suitability include smoking, poor nutritional status, poorly controlled medical conditions and current breastfeeding.

If these factors are relevant to you, the Morphē team will work with you before surgery to help optimise your preparation and recovery. This may include support from our dietitians, endocrinologist, obesity doctors, physiotherapists or psychologist where appropriate.

Mammograms are required for all patients prior to undergoing breast reduction surgery.

At Morphē, preparation for surgery focuses on improving healing, reducing complications and supporting a durable long-term result.

This may include nutritional support to optimise wound healing, assessment of weight stability, smoking cessation support, medical optimisation before surgery and psychological support where required.

During your consultation, Dr Alex Cameron will assess your breast size, tissue characteristics, skin quality, degree of breast drooping and overall body proportions to help determine the most appropriate surgical plan.

The goal is not simply to reduce breast size, but to create a lighter, more comfortable and balanced breast shape that suits your body.

Breast reduction is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes around three hours.

Most patients either go home the same day or stay overnight in hospital, depending on the procedure and recovery.

The operation involves removing excess breast tissue, fat and skin, while reshaping and lifting the breast and repositioning the nipple and areola to a more natural position.

For most patients, this results in an anchor-shaped scar consisting of:

• a scar around the areola
• a vertical scar extending to the breast crease
• a scar hidden within the inframammary fold beneath the breast.

In selected patients, a shorter vertical scar pattern may be possible.

For most patients, Dr Cameron uses a superior-medial pedicle technique to reshape the breast and preserve blood supply and sensation to the nipple-areola complex. This technique also helps create a more supported breast shape with less lower pole (area below the nipple-areola) heaviness over time. Liposuction is also commonly used to contour the outer breast and chest wall.

In patients who have lost significant weight or who have skin prone to stretching, an internal support mesh such as GalaFLEX may occasionally be used to help support the lifted breast and reduce recurrent drooping. A supportive surgical bra is worn after surgery to help reduce swelling, support healing tissues and improve comfort.

The wounds are dressed with Prineo dressings and drains are usually not required.

Dr Cameron performs breast reduction procedures at Burnside Hospital, St Andrew’s Hospital or Glenelg Community Hospital.

Breast reduction is highly effective at relieving symptoms associated with heavy breasts.

Many patients experience significant improvement in:

• neck, shoulder and back pain
• bra strap grooving
• exercise tolerance
• skin irritation beneath the breasts
• comfort with daily movement and activity.

Research has shown that quality of life improvements after breast reduction can be comparable to those seen after major joint replacement surgery.

In addition to relieving physical symptoms, breast reduction surgery also reshapes and lifts the breasts to create a result that is:

• smaller
• lighter
• more elevated
• better proportioned to your body.

The final breast shape depends on factors such as your anatomy, tissue density, skin quality and healing characteristics.

Breasts continue to soften and settle over six to twelve months following surgery.

Many women also report improvements in confidence, clothing choices, physical activity and body image following breast reduction surgery.

Recovery following breast reduction varies between individuals, however most patients experience swelling, tightness and discomfort for the first one to two weeks after surgery.

Pain is generally manageable with simple pain relief such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medication, with stronger prescription pain relief used when required.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable recovery feels compared with the symptoms they experienced before surgery.

Swelling is expected after surgery and gradually improves over three to six months. Initially, the breasts often sit higher, firmer and more swollen than the final result. Over time, they soften and settle into a more natural position. Temporary asymmetry during healing is common.

Temporary asymmetry during healing is common.

Breast reduction scars are permanent, but usually fade significantly over time. Scars continue to mature over approximately twelve months and may initially appear red, firm or raised before gradually softening and fading.

We will guide you through scar care, which may include silicone therapy, scar massage, taping, sun protection and occasionally laser treatment.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled throughout your recovery, and Dr Cameron is happy to review you at any stage if you have concerns.

As a general guide, most patients are able to return to regular activity as follows:

• Walking: 1–2 weeks
• Jogging: 2–4 weeks
• Gym: around 6 weeks
• Swimming: around 6 weeks
• Desk-based work: usually 2–3 weeks
• Physical work or lifting: usually 4–6 weeks
• Driving: usually 1–2 weeks.

All surgery carries some degree of risk. These risks are reduced through careful preparation, surgical planning, post-operative care, and the experience and judgement of Dr Cameron and the Morphē team.

General risks associated with breast surgery will be discussed with you before your procedure.

Risks specific to breast reduction surgery may include:

• Scarring. Breast reduction scars are permanent, although most fade significantly over time. Some patients develop thickened or widened scars, and scar revision is occasionally required.
• Wound healing issues. Small areas of delayed healing can occur, most commonly where the scars meet beneath the breast. Most wound healing issues are minor and can be managed with dressings.
• Altered sensation. Temporary changes in nipple or breast sensation are common and usually improve over three to six months. Permanent sensory changes occasionally occur.
• Asymmetry. Minor asymmetry is common and breasts naturally heal differently. Small differences in shape or size may persist after surgery.
• Breastfeeding changes. Breastfeeding is still possible for many women after breast reduction, however surgery can affect milk ducts, nerves and glandular tissue involved in breastfeeding.

Risks specific to breast reduction surgery may include: (cont.)

• Fat necrosis. Small areas of firm scar tissue within the breast can occasionally occur. These often settle without treatment.
• Partial or total nipple loss. Blood supply to the nipple is carefully preserved during surgery. Serious compromise to nipple viability is very uncommon, but risks are higher in smokers and very large breast reductions.
• Residual fullness or recurrent drooping. Over time, ageing, gravity and weight fluctuations continue to affect breast shape. Some descent of the breast tissue may recur in the years following surgery, particularly in patients with heavier tissue or skin prone to stretching.
• Revision surgery. Occasionally, further surgery may be required to improve symmetry, contour or scarring.