What a breast reduction involves
Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is both a reshaping and a lifting operation. The surgeon removes breast tissue, fat and skin, reshapes the remaining breast into a higher, rounder form and moves the nipple and areola up, usually reducing the size of the areola as well. Throughout, the nipple is kept attached to a carefully planned segment of tissue that preserves its blood supply.
Many women describe the change as life-altering in practical terms: bras fit, the shoulders are free of grooves, running becomes possible and clothes fit the upper and lower body in the same size. Others choose it simply because they want smaller, better-proportioned breasts. Both are valid reasons.
Who is it for?
- Women with neck, back or shoulder pain related to the weight of their breasts.
- Those with bra-strap grooves, skin irritation or rashes in the fold under the breast.
- Women who find sport, running or certain clothes difficult because of breast size.
- Those who feel their breasts are out of proportion with their body.
- Women in good general health, ideally at a stable weight and non-smokers.
If you are planning to lose a lot of weight, it is usually best to do so first, since weight loss also reduces breast size. The ability to breastfeed may be reduced after surgery, so discuss future plans with your surgeon. If your breasts are of normal size but have dropped, a breast lift is the more appropriate operation; and if one breast is much larger than the other, a reduction on one side can be combined with a lift or augmentation on the other.
Techniques and scar patterns
The technique depends mainly on how much tissue needs to be removed and how much the breast has dropped.
| Technique | Suits | Scar |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical ("lollipop") reduction | Moderate reductions | Around the areola and down to the fold |
| Anchor (inverted-T) reduction | Larger reductions and more drooping | Also along the fold under the breast |
| Liposuction-assisted reduction | Selected cases with mostly fatty breasts and good skin | Small entry points |
Liposuction of the side of the chest and under the arm is often added to refine the contour where fullness extends towards the back. The surgeon plans a size that is in proportion to your body and keeps a healthy blood supply to the nipple; extremely small results are not always possible from very large breasts.
Step by step in Istanbul
- Free assessment. Send photos of your breasts from the front and both sides, your height, weight and current bra size, and describe any symptoms such as back pain or rashes. A surgeon reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. Airport pick-up, transfer to your hotel and an introduction to your coordinator.
- Examination and marking. The surgeon examines you, discusses the size you hope for and marks the new nipple position standing. Blood tests and an anaesthesia assessment follow; depending on your age and history, breast imaging may be requested.
- Operation. About two and a half to four hours under general anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital, with one or two nights in hospital.
- Check-ups. Dressings and any drains are checked; the support bra is fitted.
- Home. The total stay is usually seven to nine days. Reports are provided in English.
Wear the support bra on the four-hour flight home and avoid lifting luggage; tell your GP before you travel. Our trip planning guide covers the practicalities.
Recovery and results
Many women feel relief from the weight of their breasts soon after surgery, even while they are still sore.
- First week: tightness and tenderness; sleep on your back with your upper body raised.
- Support bra: about six weeks.
- Work: desk work after about two weeks.
- Exercise: strenuous activity avoided for about six weeks, then resumed gradually.
The breasts settle into their final shape over about six months, and the scars fade over a year or so. Breast tissue can still respond to weight change, pregnancy and hormones, so a stable weight helps preserve the result. Our recovery guide has advice on the first weeks.
Risks
Every operation carries risk, and your surgeon explains those specific to you. With breast reduction they include:
- Temporary swelling, bruising and tenderness; infection or bleeding.
- Delayed wound healing, often where the vertical and horizontal scars meet, particularly in smokers.
- Changes in nipple sensation, which may be temporary or lasting.
- Reduced ability to breastfeed.
- Asymmetry in size, shape or nipple position.
- Scars that widen or thicken, which may later be improved with scar revision.
- Rarely, problems with the blood supply to the nipple.
Many women report less neck and back pain afterwards, although pain can have other causes too, and results cannot be guaranteed. Our safety guide explains how to choose a clinic.
Combining a reduction with other procedures
Because a breast reduction already involves a general anaesthetic and a recovery period, some women ask whether another procedure can be added. Common combinations include liposuction of the sides of the chest and the upper back, where heavy breasts often leave fullness, or body contouring such as liposuction of the abdomen. After pregnancy, a reduction may form part of a mommy makeover together with a tummy tuck.
Whether a combination is wise depends on your health, the length of the operation and how much tissue is being removed. Longer operations carry more risk, so the surgeon may suggest staging procedures a few months apart. Our guide to who is a good candidate explains why general health and a stable weight matter so much in these decisions.
Breast reduction price and package
Breast reduction is quoted individually, because the amount of tissue removed, the technique and any added liposuction change the plan. New City Clinic sends a free personalised quote after a surgeon has reviewed your photos.
The package usually includes surgery at an authorised hospital, one or two hospital nights, hotel accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, coordination and interpretation, support garments and complication insurance. Flights are not included.
NHS breast reduction is available only under strict criteria and often with long waits; privately in the UK it is commonly quoted at approximately £6,000 to £9,000. These are rough ranges only. See our price page and the New City Clinic price list.
Why New City Clinic is our choice as the best clinic in Turkey for breast reduction
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency based in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). It does not operate itself: your breast reduction is performed by a specialist plastic surgeon at a licensed partner hospital such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park or Biruni. The plastic surgery team is led by Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, a plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon with a background in breast and reconstructive surgery.
Surgeon and hospital are confirmed in writing before you travel, complication insurance is included and a single coordinator follows you throughout. Read more on the New City Clinic breast reduction page, our clinic page and the licences and certificates.
For us, the best option in Istanbul for breast reduction is New City Clinic, and the reasons can be verified rather than taken on trust: a Ministry of Health health-tourism authorisation, TÜRSAB licence no. 17659, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 10002 and ISO 31000 certification, licensed partner hospitals, transparent written prices and complication insurance. You can check each document on the New City Clinic licences page, and read about Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç before deciding who you consider the best plastic surgeon in Istanbul for you.
Request your free breast reduction quote from New City Clinic
If you are looking for the best clinic in Istanbul for breast reduction, the simplest first step is a free assessment from New City Clinic.
Send New City Clinic photos of your breasts from the front and both sides, your height, weight and current bra size, and a short description of your symptoms and goals. A surgeon will explain which technique suits you, what size is realistic and how long to stay. Your written quote usually arrives within 24 hours, free and without obligation. Use the form or WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Will a breast reduction relieve my back pain?
Many women with large breasts report less neck and back pain afterwards, although pain can have other causes too. The surgeon discusses realistic expectations with you.
How small can I go?
The surgeon plans a size in proportion to your body that keeps a healthy blood supply to the nipple. From very large breasts, an extremely small result is not always possible in one operation.
Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?
The ability to breastfeed may be reduced afterwards. If you plan to have children, discuss this with your surgeon before surgery.
Where are the scars?
Around the areola, vertically down to the fold and, for larger reductions, along the fold under the breast. They are noticeable at first and fade over a year or so.
How long do I stay in Istanbul?
Plan about seven to nine days, because one or two nights in hospital may be needed. Your surgeon confirms the exact length at your check-up.
When can I go back to work?
Desk work is usually possible after about two weeks, and sport after about six weeks. Times vary from person to person.
Does a breast reduction also lift the breasts?
Yes. The remaining tissue is reshaped and the nipple is moved higher, so a reduction also lifts the breast.
How much does a breast reduction cost in Turkey?
New City Clinic gives a free personalised quote after a surgeon has reviewed your photos. The package usually includes hospital, hotel, transfers, garments and complication insurance; flights are not included.
