Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery
Breast Reduction
Surgery to reduce breast size, for comfort or proportion.
Consult Dr. Seema Mittal ↗
View before & after photos
Illustrative image · not a patient resultOverview
About Breast Reduction
Large breasts can cause physical discomfort or feel out of proportion with the rest of the body. The consultation is to understand your concern and whether reduction surgery is suitable.
When to see a specialist
- 01Breast size or proportion
- 02Physical discomfort related to breast size
- 03Questions about the operation and what it involves
Whether treatment is suitable can only be decided after a consultation and examination.
Your doctor
Dr. Seema Mittal
Plastic • Cosmetic • Reconstructive Surgery
- MBBS
- DNB – General Surgery
- DNB – Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgeon. She sees patients for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breast and body, and for hair transplant.
Your consultation
What happens at the consultation.
At the first visit the doctor listens to your concern, takes a medical history and examines you. Not everyone who comes for a consultation needs a procedure.
Treatment planning
How the plan is decided.
The doctor examines you and asks about any discomfort. The plan depends on your anatomy, your symptoms, what you want to achieve and your general health.
- 01
Your anatomy
- 02
Examination findings
- 03
What you want to change
- 04
General health
In detail
Breast reduction: what to know.
What breast reduction does
Breast reduction removes fat, breast tissue and skin, lifts the nipple and reshapes the breast.
- It can ease neck, back and shoulder pain, grooves from bra straps and skin irritation under the breasts.
- It is a major operation, with permanent scars.
Who it may suit
- Women in good health who do not smoke or vape.
- A stable, healthy weight gives the most reliable result.
- Pregnancy can make the breasts larger again. If you plan to breastfeed, it may be better to postpone surgery.
The operation
- Done under general anaesthetic and takes about two to three hours. Most patients stay in hospital for one or two nights, and drains are usually removed after a day or two.
- The scar goes around the areola and either straight down (a “lollipop” pattern) or down and along the breast crease (an anchor pattern). Liposuction is sometimes added.
- The nipple usually stays attached to its blood supply. In very large reductions it may be removed and grafted higher up, which means permanent loss of nipple sensation.
Recovery
- Most people take two to three weeks off work.
- Most activities are possible within two to four weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous upper-body exercise are avoided for about four to six weeks, and driving for several weeks.
- A support bra is worn, sometimes day and night, for up to three months. Swelling settles over about three months, and scars can take up to two years to fade.
Risks
Every operation carries some risk. Your doctor will go through the risks that apply to you before you decide.
- Loss of or change in nipple sensation, which can be permanent.
- Breastfeeding may not be possible afterwards.
- Wound-healing problems, and rarely partial or complete loss of the nipple. This is more likely in smokers.
- Asymmetry, small folds of extra skin at the ends of the scars, and thick scars.
- Collections of blood under the skin, infection and blood clots.
General information, checked against published guidance (September 2026). It does not replace an individual consultation; your doctor will advise on your own case.
Sources: NHS: Breast reduction · BAPRAS: Breast reduction · American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Before & After
Breast Reduction Results
Photographs of patients treated at I·PLAST, published with their consent. Results vary from patient to patient.
Breast Reduction
Before and after breast reduction.
Specialist: Dr. Seema Mittal
About this treatmentBefore
After
Results vary between patients. These photographs show individual cases and cannot predict the result for anyone else.
Considering this treatment?
Book a consultation to find out whether it is suitable for you.
What to expect
From first visit to follow-up.
- 01
Consultation
Tell the doctor what concerns you and ask your questions.
- 02
Examination & Planning
The doctor examines you and explains the options, including their limits.
- 03
Treatment
Carried out only if it is suitable for you and you decide to go ahead.
- 04
Follow-Up
Check-ups after treatment to review healing and any next steps.
FAQs
Common questions.
This can only be decided after a consultation and examination. The doctor will go through your concern, your medical history and the options available.
The doctor asks about your concern and medical history, examines you, and discusses what you hope to change and whether treatment is advisable.
Dr. Seema Mittal sees patients for this treatment at I·PLAST.
Yes. If treatment is planned, the doctor will explain aftercare, any activity restrictions and the follow-up visits you will need.
Not necessarily. Results depend on your anatomy, the examination findings, your general health and the procedure. Photographs of other patients show their results only.