Breast reduction on the NHS

Things to consider before you go ahead

It's important to discuss your problems and options with your GP and an appropriately qualified surgeon before having a breast reduction.

This will help you get a clear idea of what changes you can expect to see and ensure you're aware of any risks involved.

Be aware that:

a significant reductioncan alter the shape and look ofyour breasts
there will be scarring andpossiblylost or altered nipple sensation
your breasts can change in size and shape after surgery for example,theymay 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 andyou may not be able to breastfeed after surgery so you may need to wait until you're sure you don't want to have any more children

For women with very large breasts, the benefits of a reduction may outweigh any potential problems. But for women with only moderately large breasts, the benefits may not be worth the risks.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for breast reduction on the nhs

Introduction

Find out whether your might be eligible for breast reduction surgery on the NHS, and what to do if you think you might qualify.

Eligibility criteria for NHS breast reduction

The availability of breast reduction surgery on the NHS varies, depending on the eligibility criteria decided by yourlocal clinical commissioning group (CCG) . Some CCGs do not fund breast reduction

The referral process

See your GP if you think you might be eligible for breast reduction surgery on the NHS. They can check whether you meet the criteria of your local CCG, and if you do, can refer you to a breast or pla

Things to consider before you go ahead

It's important to discuss your problems and options with your GP and an appropriately qualified surgeon before having a breast reduction. This will help you get a clear idea of what changes you can e

Alternatives to breast reduction surgery

It's sometimes possible to reduce problems caused by having large breasts without the need for surgery. The following measures may help: lose weight if you're overweight, losing weightcan help re

Male breast reduction on the NHS

Male breast reduction isn't normallyavailable on the NHS. This is becauseenlarged breasts in men are usually a result of being overweight, and losing weight will oftenhelp to reduce their size. You'l

Health News