Breast reduction on the NHS
Introduction
Breast reduction surgery can help women who are unhappy with the shape, weight or droop of their breasts by making them smaller and more lifted.
Butifit's done to improve appearance rather than for health reasons, it's not normally available on the NHS. Instead, you'll need to pay for the procedureprivately.
Information about breast reduction for cosmetic reasons is provided elsewhere read about cosmetic breast reduction for women and male breast reduction .
This page focuses on when breast reduction might be availableon the NHS. It covers:
Male breast reduction on the NHS
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 4 Jan 2017
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
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