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Breast reduction in Edinburgh

Reduces the size and weight of the breasts to help with back, neck and shoulder pain and skin irritation. Your consultant will talk you through how much reduction suits your frame and where the scars will sit.

Your consultants
Patient describing neck and shoulder ache to her consultant
Anaesthetic
General
Surgery time
3 Hours
Hospital stay
Day surgery or 1 night
Recovery
1-2 weeks off work, 6 weeks before strenuous exercise
Guide price
From £10,000

Contents

Who is an ideal candidate?

Ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery are those experiencing physical discomfort or self-consciousness associated with large, heavy breasts. Candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about the outcomes. If you’re facing challenges with physical activity, skin irritation beneath the breast crease, or if the weight of your breasts causes shoulder indentations from bra straps, this procedure might be suitable for you.

What the procedure involves

1. Initial consultation: Patients first undergo a comprehensive consultation to discuss goals, expectations, and any concerns. This includes a physical examination.

2. Second consultation: Recognising the significance of this decision, a second consultation is offered before any commitment is made, ensuring you are confident and fully informed.

3. Preparation for surgery: On the day of surgery, patients are prepared for the procedure, which includes administering general anaesthesia for comfort and safety throughout the operation.

4. Surgical technique: We tend to use the traditional anchor incision as this gives the most reliable results.

5. Tissue removal and reshaping: Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed. The remaining breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to achieve a more youthful and uplifted breast contour.

6. Nipple and areola adjustment: The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural height and size to match the newly shaped breasts.

7. Closing the incisions: Incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches, usually layered deep within the breast tissue to support the newly shaped breasts. Surgical tape or skin adhesives are also used. We do not use any drains.

8. Immediate post-operative care: After the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area, where you will continue to be closely monitored. Pain management and instructions for home care will be provided before discharge.

Breast reduction animation

A short 3D animation of the procedure. It loads only when you press play.

What breast reduction can and can’t do

Breast reduction takes weight off your chest, and for many people that brings real physical relief. It also leaves permanent scars and can change nipple feeling and breastfeeding, so it is worth weighing those before you decide.

It can

  • Make your breasts smaller, lighter and higher, in proportion to your frame.
  • Ease back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts.
  • Reduce rashes and infections in the fold under the breast.
  • Make exercise, bras and clothes easier.
  • Reduce a difference in size between the two sides.

It can’t

  • Be done without scars. The anchor pattern leaves a scar around the areola, down the breast and along the fold. The scars fade but are permanent.
  • Guarantee you can breastfeed. Many people can afterwards, but some cannot. If you plan a family, you may want to wait.
  • Keep nipple feeling unchanged. Sensation often drops after surgery and does not always come back.
  • Stop your breasts changing. Weight gain, pregnancy and age can enlarge or reshape them again.
  • Promise complete relief from pain. Back and neck pain have many causes, and the weight of your breasts may be only one of them.

Your consultant will tell you at your consultation which of these apply to you.

What is the cost of a breast reduction?

Surgical Price Guide

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Questions before you book?

Ask anything about breast reduction, its recovery, risks or cost, any time and in plain language. If you would like, our team can contact you afterwards.

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General information, not a substitute for a consultation.

Patients often ask

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Quick answers

How much does a breast reduction cost?
A breast reduction at Waterfront is from £10,000, depending on the extent of surgery and whether tissue needs to be sent for analysis.
Can I spread the cost?
Yes. You can pay in full two weeks before your procedure, or spread the cost with interest-free finance through Omni Capital Retail Finance over 6 or 10 months, with a deposit of between 10% and 50%. There is no interest and no hidden fee, and most applicants get a decision straight away. We do not accept private medical insurance for cosmetic treatment.
Can I have a breast reduction on the NHS in Scotland?
Only in a small number of cases. NHS breast reduction in Scotland is limited to people who meet strict national referral criteria, so most people who want one choose private surgery. Your GP can tell you whether you might qualify.
Where are the scars after a breast reduction?
The anchor pattern leaves a scar around the areola, down the breast and along the fold. The scars fade but are permanent.
What is the consultation policy at Waterfront?

Our initial consultations are paid as they are clinical assessments with a consultant plastic surgeon. The consultant who assesses you is the consultant who would plan, perform, and review your surgery. We do not offer price matching, and we do not pressure decisions — a second consultation is offered before any commitment is made, free of charge, if you would like one before deciding to proceed.

What innovative techniques are used in breast reduction surgery at Waterfront Private Hospital?

We use the traditional anchor incision or the vertical, “lollipop”, incision, chosen for your shape and the size of reduction. These methods are chosen based on individual needs, minimising scarring and recovery time.

Can breast reduction surgery improve posture and alleviate back pain?

Yes, breast reduction surgery can significantly alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain by removing the excess weight from your chest, often resulting in improved posture and overall spinal health.

What are the aesthetic benefits of breast reduction surgery?

Beyond relief from physical discomfort, the procedure offers aesthetic benefits, such as a more proportionate figure, lifted and reshaped breasts, and improved symmetry. Your consultant will show you, in person, what is realistic for your shape.

What other reasons might someone opt for breast reduction surgery?

Apart from physical discomfort and appearance, other reasons people give include wanting to exercise more easily and wanting less unwanted attention.

How does breast reduction surgery impact physical activities and sports participation?

Many patients find a new lease of life on physical activities and sports after surgery, experiencing less discomfort and increased mobility. The reduction in breast size makes exercises and sports more enjoyable and accessible.

Do you have a BMI limit at your hospital?

Yes, our day surgery hospital does not operate on patients with a BMI above 30. We do have options to offer surgery elsewhere with an overnight stay for patients whose BMI is above 30.

How do you manage scars post-breast reduction surgery?

At Waterfront Private Hospital, we prioritise aesthetic outcomes alongside health benefits. Our surgeons employ precise techniques to minimise scarring, and we offer a comprehensive post-surgery scar management program, including recommendations for topical treatments, silicone sheets, and other options to enhance the healing process and improve the appearance of scars.

What should I expect during the first consultation for breast reduction?

During your initial consultation, you’ll discuss your medical history, objectives, and concerns with your surgeon. You will then be examined with a chaperone present. This session is designed to tailor the procedure to your needs and ensure you thoroughly understand the process, benefits, risks, and recovery expectations. You will also be shown several before-and-after images.

Are there any lifestyle changes I should make before undergoing breast reduction surgery?

To ensure the best possible outcomes, we recommend patients adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and quitting smoking. These changes can improve recovery times and overall surgical results. Our team provides pre-operative guidance to prepare you physically and mentally for the procedure. It would be best to be as close to your optimal weight as possible.

Our breast reduction surgeons

You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your treatment, carries it out and sees you afterwards.

Mr Ken Stewart

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Omar Quaba

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · ISAPS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Ms Ewa Majdak-Paredes

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Will Anderson

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS

Well 7 weeks ago I choose this hospital over going abroad, I’m a 58 year old female.

I had a breast reduction and uplift with Omar quaba junior.

From start to finish the surgeon , nurses and any staff were very understanding and very helpful.

After surgery I was worried about a few things so phoned them the said it’s all normal but if you want to come along we will check you out , nothing was a hassle or problem, other times I’d email pics n they would say pop in and we will put your mind at ease( I’m a worrier) .

I never felt that they were thinking anything else but my well being my surgeon would come by my check ups just to say hi and check how I was healing .

Nurses were also making sure I was mentally good with how I looked and was feeling.

So if you’re thinking of having anything done here I would 1000% go here. Good luck to anybody just waiting on surgery here you won’t regret getting it done here .

Jackie howden
July 2026 Read on Google (opens in a new tab)

Google

4.9

118 reviews, out of 5

  • 5-star reviews: 112
  • 4-star reviews: 5
  • 3-star reviews: 0
  • 2-star reviews: 0
  • 1-star reviews: 1
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Risks, and how often they happen

Every operation carries risk. Here they are in three groups. The figures come from UK national guidance and published studies, averaged across many patients, so your own risk may be higher or lower. Your consultant will go through what applies to you, and every risk is in your written consent.

Expected Almost everyone, and they settle

  • Swelling and bruising for the first few weeks.
  • Discomfort for the first few days, eased by simple painkillers.
  • Reduced or altered nipple sensation, which often improves over months but can be permanent.
  • Scars around the areola, down the breast and along the fold, red at first and softening over about a year.
  • Small areas of slow healing where the scars meet, usually settled with simple dressings.

Uncommon Some patients, and some need further treatment

  • Wound breakdown where the scars meet (the T-junction), which can need dressings for several weeks.
    About 1 in 20
  • Bleeding that needs a return to theatre (haematoma), usually in the first day.
    About 1 in 50
  • Fat necrosis, firm lumps where fatty tissue has lost its blood supply. Most settle, and any new lump should be checked.
    About 1 in 50

Rare but serious

  • Loss of part or all of the nipple if its blood supply fails. Smoking raises this risk, and it may need further surgery.
    Under 1 in 100
  • A blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE). We assess your risk and take steps to prevent it.
    About 1 in 1,000
  • A serious reaction to the anaesthetic.
    Very rare

For the long term

  • Breastfeeding. With techniques that keep the nipple attached to the tissue beneath it, studies found about three in four women who tried were able to breastfeed. If it matters to you, tell your consultant at consultation. Very large reductions sometimes need a technique that moves the nipple as a graft, which stops breastfeeding; your consultant will tell you if this applies to you.
  • Pregnancy and weight change can enlarge the breasts again, so it may be wiser to wait if you plan a family.
  • Mammograms. If you are over 40 you need an up-to-date mammogram before surgery. Scars and fat necrosis can show on later scans, so tell the radiographer about your reduction.
  • Small revisions. A few people choose a minor scar revision later, usually under local anaesthetic.

More from BAAPS on breast reduction.

Where these figures come from

Aftercare and recovery

Recovery varies, but most patients return to work and light activities after one to two weeks, and to all activities, including exercise, at six weeks. We provide thorough aftercare guidance, including pain management and support garment information, to aid in your recovery. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and ensure you are healing as expected.

  1. Day of surgeryHome the same day with your written aftercare guide. Waterfront is a day hospital.
  2. Week 1Nurse review: wound checked, dressings changed, questions answered.
  3. Weeks 1–2Back to office work. Physical work from weeks 2–3.
  4. Week 4Gentle exercise in a support bra.
  5. Week 6Full exercise, building up slowly.
  6. 6 monthsYour consultant reviews the settled result. Sooner if you need it.
  7. 12 monthsNurse reviews, dressing clinics and the treatment of any complications are included.

Typical timings. Your consultant and nurse will tailor them to you.

Detailed aftercare instructions
A nurse talking with a patient resting on the couch at a follow-up review

Written by

Mr Omar Quaba, consultant plastic surgeon

Mr Omar Quaba, MBBChir, FRCS (Plast), GMC 4586300, is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery. Based at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, he is fully accredited on the GMC Specialist Register and specialises in advanced cosmetic procedures. Full member of BAAPS.