Plastic surgery · London
Breast reduction, by a BAAPS plastic surgeon.
Reduction mammaplasty by a consultant plastic surgeon in a CQC-registered London hospital. Wise pattern, vertical or liposuction-only, matched to your breasts and target size. All-inclusive fee with 12-month follow-up.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A BAAPS or ISAPS-registered plastic surgeon
Not a cosmetic doctor. A named consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register, with a high reduction mammaplasty volume and audited outcomes.
- 02
The right technique for your breasts
Wise pattern, vertical lollipop, periareolar or liposuction-only. We match the technique to your tissue and target size, not to the surgeon.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private breast reduction costs in London.
Indicative all-inclusive ranges across our vetted London plastic surgeons. Send photos and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A private London breast reduction, all-inclusive with 12-month follow-up: £8,500–£14,000.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation and surgical planning | £250–£400 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Breast reduction, both sides (Wise pattern or vertical) | £8,500–£14,000 | 2–3 h | Overnight stay |
| Liposuction-only reduction (fat-predominant breasts) | £5,500–£8,000 | 1.5–2 h | Day case |
| Reduction combined with mastopexy uplift | +£2,500 | Added to above | Overnight stay |
| Revision surgery (scar, dog-ear, asymmetry) | £2,500–£5,500 | 1–2 h | Day case |
| 12-month follow-up review | Included | 20 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by surgeon, by hospital (Cadogan Clinic, London Bridge Cosmetic Surgery, HCA The Wellington, Cromwell, Nuffield Health, King Edward VII's), by technique and by the size of reduction planned.
The journey
From first enquiry to 12-month review, what happens, in order.
One team from the first message to the final scar-care review. 85 to 95 per cent of patients report high satisfaction; symptom relief from macromastia is marked in systematic reviews.
- 01
Before
You send us your photos and history
A short, confidential form. Bra size, symptoms, weight, smoking status and any prior breast imaging or family history.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which technique fits, which surgeons match, and an all-inclusive quote. An honest read either way.
- 03
Before
Consultation and consent
A face-to-face with your surgeon, marking, mammography if age 40+ or family history, and a cooling-off period before you commit.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the hospital
Admission, pre-op marking standing up, consent and a chat with your surgeon and anaesthetist. General anaesthesia.
- 05
On the day
The reduction itself
2 to 3 hours. Wise pattern, vertical lollipop or liposuction-only. Nipple preserved on an inferior, superior-medial or central pedicle.
- 06
On the day
Overnight stay, drains out
One night on the ward, drains removed at 24 to 48 hours, sports bra fitted before you go home.
- 07
After
Follow-up and scar care
Wound check at one week, six weeks and three months. A 12-month final review is included. Silicone tape and scar massage from four weeks.
When it helps
When reduction is the right step - and when it is not.
The symptoms and situations that lead women to reduction, plus the red flag that changes the pathway entirely.
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Back, neck and shoulder pain from macromastia
Chronic musculoskeletal pain that is not fixed by a well-fitted bra, physiotherapy or weight loss.
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Grooving from bra straps
Deep, persistent shoulder grooves and skin indentation from the weight the straps carry every day.
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Submammary intertrigo and rash
Recurrent fungal or bacterial rash in the infra-mammary fold that returns despite antifungals and hygiene measures.
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Exercise limitation and posture
Difficulty running, cycling or lifting, and a stooped posture that a supportive sports bra alone cannot address.
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Psychological distress and self-consciousness
Documented distress affecting clothing, intimacy or mood, especially where symptoms have persisted for years.
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Asymmetry between the two sides
A significant difference in cup size or ptosis between breasts, corrected in a single reduction where possible.
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Post-weight-loss loose, heavy breasts
Stable weight after major weight loss with residual heavy, deflated breasts that need combined reduction and uplift.
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Red flag: a new lump, nipple discharge or skin change
A new lump, bloody nipple discharge, peau d’orange or nipple retraction needs the two-week-wait breast pathway, not a private cosmetic booking.
Technique options
Four skin patterns, four pedicles for the nipple.
The skin pattern controls your scar. The pedicle controls the blood supply to the nipple. Both are matched to the size of reduction planned.
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Wise pattern inverted-T anchor scar
The workhorse for large reductions over 500g per breast. Excellent shape control at the cost of a longer scar around the areola, vertically and along the fold.
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Vertical lollipop scar (Le Jour, SPAIR)
A shorter scar around the areola and vertically down. Best for moderate reductions under 500g per breast where the fold scar can be avoided.
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Periareolar (round-block) limited scar
Scar limited to the edge of the areola. Only suitable for small reductions with minimal skin excess and no significant ptosis.
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Liposuction-only reduction
For fat-predominant breasts in patients who do not need a lift. Small stab incisions, no shape reshaping, quicker recovery, less scar burden.
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Inferior pedicle
The commonest pedicle for the nipple. Reliable blood supply, works for large reductions, well suited to Wise pattern skin excision.
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Superior-medial pedicle
Preferred by many surgeons for vertical reductions. Preserves projection well and moves the nipple a long distance safely.
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Central pedicle
A pyramid of tissue directly under the nipple. Predictable sensation preservation and useful in moderate to large reductions.
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Free nipple graft
For very large reductions or high-risk pedicles the nipple is removed and grafted back on. Reliable in giant reductions but loses sensation and breastfeeding.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of plastic surgeons, we picked them.
BAAPS and ISAPS-registered consultant plastic surgeons operating at Cadogan Clinic, London Bridge Cosmetic Surgery, HCA The Wellington Cosmetic and Reconstructive, Cromwell BUPA Cosmetic, Nuffield Health and King Edward VII's.
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Consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery
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BAAPS or ISAPS members with audited breast reduction outcomes
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CQC-registered hospitals with overnight inpatient care and 24/7 medical cover
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12-month follow-up, revision policy and complication pathway included in the fee
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Breast reduction is a common, well-established plastic surgery operation. The things to plan for are the six-week recovery, scar care, sensation change and the small but real risk of nipple or skin edge loss.
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General anaesthesia, overnight stay
A consultant anaesthetist delivers general anaesthesia. You stay one night on the ward for observation, pain control and drain management.
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Scars are permanent
Every technique leaves a scar. Wise pattern gives an anchor. Vertical gives a lollipop. Scars fade over 12 to 18 months but do not disappear.
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Nipple and skin necrosis, 1 to 5 per cent
Partial nipple or skin edge loss depends on pedicle choice, reduction size, smoking and diabetes. Reduced by careful planning and stopping smoking six weeks in advance.
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Wound problems at the T-junction, 5 to 15 per cent
Small areas of delayed healing at the T-junction of a Wise pattern are common. Most settle with dressings; a minority need a small revision.
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Altered nipple sensation
Sensation change affects 30 to 50 per cent of patients, temporary or permanent. Larger reductions and free nipple grafts have the highest rates.
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Breastfeeding may be reduced
Around half of women who reduce with a preserved pedicle can breastfeed afterwards. Free nipple grafts remove that possibility. Discussed before you consent.
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Asymmetry and revision, 5 to 10 per cent
Some residual asymmetry, dog-ears at the ends of the scar or a nipple position mismatch may need a small revision under local anaesthetic.
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DVT, infection and haematoma
Mechanical and chemical DVT prophylaxis, prophylactic antibiotics and drains reduce these risks. A haematoma may need a return to theatre.
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Hypertrophic and keloid scarring
A minority of patients scar poorly. Silicone tape, massage and sometimes steroid injections are used from four weeks onwards to soften scars.
Reading your operation note
Your reduction note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Weight per side, technique and pedicle
What was removed, in grams, on each side. Which skin pattern (Wise, vertical, periareolar) and which pedicle (inferior, superior-medial, central) carried the nipple.
- 02 Technique
Nipple movement and any liposuction
How far the nipple was moved, whether the areolae were resized, whether liposuction was added to the axillary tail, and the size of any drains.
- 03 Findings
Histology of the resected tissue
All resected breast tissue is sent to histology. Incidental findings (fibroadenoma, atypical hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ) are recorded and acted on.
- 04 Impression
Follow-up plan and scar care
Read this first: your one-week, six-week and three-month checks, when to start scar massage, when to return to work, exercise and driving.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for breast reduction varies by insurer and requires documented medical indication. We confirm cover in writing before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about breast reduction.
NHS availability, breastfeeding, scars, insurance cover, recovery and choosing the right size.
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Can I get a breast reduction on the NHS?
NHS availability is limited and varies by Integrated Care Board. Most areas require documented symptoms (chronic back, neck or shoulder pain, intertrigo, exercise limitation), a BMI usually under 27 to 30, non-smoker status and failed conservative measures such as physiotherapy and a professional bra fitting. Many patients who meet clinical criteria still cannot access NHS reduction and choose to go privately.
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Will I be able to breastfeed after a reduction?
Around half of women who have a pedicled reduction can breastfeed afterwards, usually with reduced supply. Techniques that preserve the ducts and nerves around the nipple give the best chance. A free nipple graft, used in very large reductions, removes the ability to breastfeed. Discuss this openly with your surgeon before you consent.
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What will my scars look like?
Wise pattern leaves an anchor scar around the areola, vertically down and horizontally along the infra-mammary fold. Vertical technique leaves a lollipop scar around the areola and vertically. Scars are red and raised at three months, then fade over 12 to 18 months to pale lines. Silicone tape, massage and sun protection from four weeks help scars mature well.
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Will my insurance cover a breast reduction?
Most UK insurers cover breast reduction when it is medically indicated by documented symptoms of macromastia. Cover typically requires a consultant letter, a clear symptom history, a BMI within their range and pre-authorisation. Purely cosmetic reductions are not covered. We confirm cover with your insurer in writing before booking.
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How long is the recovery?
You will be sore and swollen for two weeks, in a supportive sports bra day and night for six weeks. Desk work resumes at two weeks, driving at two to three weeks, and full exercise including gym and running at six weeks. Final shape settles at six to nine months as swelling resolves and scars mature.
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How do I choose the right size to go down to?
Your surgeon will discuss target cup size in consultation, but bra sizing is imprecise so the plan is based on grams to remove, projection, base width and your torso. Most patients go down two to three cup sizes. Going too small increases scar burden without proportionate benefit; going too large limits symptom relief.
Ready when you are
Send photos and a short history. We come back within one working day with matched surgeons and a firm quote.
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