The breast is a modified sweat gland and therefore just an expansion of skin in many ways. Breast reduction only involves modifying the breast gland and not the underlying muscles of the chest wall. Typically it is much less painful than a breast augmentation that does involve cutting muscles of the chest wall.

This would depend on the type of work but typically people are back to performing 90% of their usual activities by 3 weeks after breast reduction. It is advisable to organise at least 2 weeks but preferably 3 weeks of recovery time. This includes unpaid housework just as much as paid work.

In a breast reduction the aim is to reduce the size of the breast gland, lift the nipple position and remove excess skin to produce a smaller but also aesthetically pleasing breast.

In a breast lift or mastopexy the aim is to preserve and reshape the existing breast tissue rather than remove it. At the same time the nipple is elevated and excess skin removed. Often the process of reshaping produces a fuller and larger appearing breast.

In both breast lift and breast reduction Dr Stradwick uses a very similar vertical technique with identical scars in both procedures.

That depends on the existing breast size and shape. In some cases breast reduction cases more than 1kg can be removed from each breast but in other cases the breast reduction can be as little as 200gms. Dr Stradwick will remove as much as he can without compromising his other goal of producing an aesthetically pleasing breast shape.

The breast tissue is removed permanently however a varying proportion of the breast is comprised of fat. Like fat deposits anywhere on the body they can increase in size with weight gain. Weight loss can affect breast shape for the same reason. Gain or loss of weight after breast reduction surgery will definitely affect the result. Dr Stradwick therefore believes that anyone considering a breast reduction should be at a stable weight. There is no point embarking on a weight loss program before a breast reduction if the achieved weight cannot be maintained in the longer term. Having said that, studies have conclusively shown that patients with a high BMI (body mass index) are at a significantly increased risk of complications following surgery. For this reason women with a BMI above 30 would usually be advised against this type of surgery unless there are special circumstances. This would always need to be assessed on an individual basis because exceptions are made. BMI can be calculated by using the following formula;

BMI=weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared.

For example a 160cm women who weighs 80kg has a BMI of 80/1.6x1.6 = 31

Yes. However previous mammograms will no longer be useful comparison because the breasts have changed. A new baseline mammogram should be performed 6 months after breast reduction surgery for those women eligible for screening.