Breast Reduction Surgery in Singapore

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Dr Leo Kah Woon

Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery) (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)

For many women, overly large breasts are not simply a cosmetic concern. The weight can pull the shoulders forward and tighten the neck, creating chronic pain that lingers long after the day ends. Exercise may feel difficult or even impossible. Skin can chafe in the crease beneath the breast, bras dig into the shoulders, and clothing choices become more about accommodation than preference. Some women also experience shortness of breath when lying flat or fatigue from constantly compensating for the strain on their upper body. These pressures add up over time and can limit both comfort and self-confidence.

One way to address these concerns is through breast reduction surgery, with the help of a plastic surgeon who can develop a personalised surgical plan to improve comfort, function and body proportion.

Understanding how breast reduction surgery works, whether you may be suitable for the procedure and what to expect during treatment can help you make a more informed decision about your care.

How Does Breast Reduction Work?

Breast reduction surgery removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, reducing the size and weight of the breasts as a result. Rather than simply making the breasts smaller, the surgeon reshapes them, refines their contour and repositions the nipple-areola complex so that the result looks natural and proportionate. Each reduction is individually planned according to the patient’s symptoms, anatomy and lifestyle, which allows the outcome to support both comfort and aesthetics.

Depending on the patient's needs and desired outcome, breast reduction may also be accompanied by procedures such as a breast lift to improve breast position and shape, or liposuction to refine the surrounding areas.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Reduction?

After breast reduction surgery, many women notice a marked change in their daily lives. Everyday activities usually become more comfortable, with less neck, shoulder and back pain. Exercise becomes easier, posture improves and movement feels a lot lighter.

With a more proportionate breast size, clothing and bras may also fit more comfortably, without the need to constantly adjust for pulling, tightness or excess strain on the shoulders. Reducing breast weight can also help relieve skin irritation beneath the breast crease and make walking, bending and sleeping feel easier.

Alongside these functional benefits, many women describe a renewed sense of ease in their bodies. Breast reduction surgery offers more than a change in size. It offers relief, balance and a return to comfort that had slowly been lost over the years.

Is Breast Reduction Right for You?

Breast reduction surgery may be appropriate for women whose breasts are causing persistent physical discomfort or affecting their daily life. If you experience one or more of the following concerns, a consultation with a plastic surgeon can help determine whether the procedure is suitable for you:

Chronic Pain: Neck, shoulder and back tension from heavy, hanging breasts that pull the upper body forward.
Physical Discomfort: Deep bra strap grooves in the shoulders and skin chafing beneath the breast crease.
Proportion Concerns: Heavy, hanging breasts that feel out of proportion with the rest of your body silhouette.
Activity & Breathing Limits: Difficulty exercising, upper body fatigue and shortness of breath when lying flat.
Daily Challenges: Restricted clothing options and a negative impact on comfort and self-confidence.

We provide a range of procedures to enhance the appearance of one’s breasts with beautiful and natural-looking outcomes.

For a personalised consultation, please reach out to us today.

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How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

Breast reduction surgery is carefully planned by an experienced plastic surgeon. Every stage, from the initial consultation to surgery, is tailored for functional relief and natural-looking results. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon is important, as the procedure requires careful planning to attain intended outcomes while preserving breast shape, proportion and nipple position.

Consultation and Surgical Planning

Your consultation begins with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals. Your plastic surgeon will examine your breasts, assess their size and shape in relation to your body frame and recommend an appropriate surgical approach.

Preparing for Surgery

On the day of surgery, you will be admitted and prepared for the procedure. Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, allowing you to remain asleep and comfortable throughout the operation. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon begins the planned procedure.

Reducing and Reshaping the Breasts

Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon makes carefully planned incisions to access the breast tissue. Excess glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed to reduce the size and weight of the breasts, before the remaining tissue is reshaped to create a more balanced contour. Where appropriate, the nipple-areola complex is repositioned to maintain a natural appearance. Depending on the extent of the reduction, the procedure typically takes between 1.5–4 hours.

Completing the Procedure

Once the desired breast size and shape have been achieved, the incisions are closed with sutures and protected with dressings. You will then be transferred to the recovery area for routine monitoring.

Recovery After Breast Reduction

Immediately after surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery area before being discharged according to your surgeon's advice. Your breasts will be supported with dressings and a surgical bra to protect the incisions and minimise swelling. Temporary drains may be used in some patients and are usually removed within the first 1–2 days.

Swelling, bruising and mild discomfort are expected during the early stages of recovery and gradually improve over time. Waterproof dressings are typically kept in place for around 2 weeks, after which sutures may be removed if required. During this period, strenuous activities, heavy lifting and upper-body exercise should be avoided to allow the breasts to heal properly.

Most patients are able to return to light daily activities after this period, although recovery varies depending on the extent of the procedure. Your surgeon will advise when it is appropriate to resume work, exercise and other activities based on your healing progress. Regular follow-up appointments are arranged to monitor your recovery and ensure the breasts are healing as expected.

Results You Can Expect After Breast Reduction

Although every patient's results are unique, breast reduction aims to achieve long-lasting improvements in both comfort and appearance. After surgery, many women find that their breasts feel lighter and more proportionate to the rest of their body, allowing them to move through daily life with greater ease.

Activities that once required constant adjustment, such as choosing supportive bras, finding well-fitting clothing or participating comfortably in social and recreational activities, often become more natural and effortless.

For many patients, the greatest outcome extends beyond physical changes. Feeling less conscious of breast size and no longer planning daily activities around discomfort can contribute to greater confidence, improved body image and an overall better quality of life.

Possible Risks and Considerations

As with any surgical procedure, breast reduction surgery carries potential risks. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will explain how likely these risks are to occur, giving you the opportunity to make a decision.

Potential risks include:

Bleeding and Infection: Although uncommon, these can occur after surgery and may require additional treatment.
Scarring: Incisions will leave permanent scars, which generally fade over time but vary depending on individual healing.
Changes in Sensation: Temporary numbness or altered sensation of the breasts or nipples is common during recovery, while permanent changes are less common.
Difficulty Breastfeeding: Depending on the surgical technique and the amount of tissue removed, breastfeeding ability may be affected.
Asymmetry or Healing Differences: As the breasts heal, minor differences in shape, size or nipple position can occur.

In some cases, a secondary procedure may be recommended to refine breast shape, improve symmetry or address changes that become apparent after healing.

Choosing the Right Specialist for Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is a highly individual procedure that requires careful planning to achieve lasting relief while maintaining natural breast shape and proportion. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon helps ensure your treatment is approached with the right balance of functional improvement and aesthetic care.

At Dr Leo Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, care is led by Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Leo Kah Woon, who has extensive experience performing breast surgery for both functional and aesthetic concerns. Each procedure is planned around the patient's anatomy, symptoms and goals to support comfort, proportion and natural-looking outcomes.

If you are experiencing persistent discomfort from overly large breasts or would like to explore whether breast reduction surgery is suitable for you, contact us today.

FAQs About Breast Reduction Surgery

Will breast reduction surgery leave scars?

Yes. As breast reduction surgery requires incisions, some degree of scarring is unavoidable. However, your plastic surgeon will carefully plan the incision pattern to provide the necessary access while placing scars in areas that can be concealed as much as possible by the natural contours of the breast or beneath a bra. While scars are permanent, they typically fade and become less noticeable over time. Your plastic surgeon will also provide guidance on scar care to support optimal healing.

What is the difference between breast reduction surgery and a breast lift?

Although both procedures reshape the breasts, they address different concerns. Breast reduction surgery removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin to reduce the size and weight of the breasts while improving their shape. A breast lift primarily removes excess skin and repositions the breast tissue and nipple-areola complex to correct sagging, with little or no reduction in breast volume. In some cases, both procedures may be performed together to achieve the desired result and maintain the patient’s envisioned shape.

Is breast reduction surgery MediSave or insurance claimable in Singapore?

Breast reduction surgery may be MediSave or insurance claimable if it is performed to treat medically significant symptoms, such as chronic neck, shoulder or back pain caused by excessively large breasts. Eligibility depends on your individual condition, diagnosis and insurance policy. Your plastic surgeon can advise whether your procedure may qualify and guide you through the necessary documentation.

Can breasts increase in size again after breast reduction surgery?

The results of breast reduction surgery are generally long-lasting. However, breast size can change over time due to factors such as significant weight gain, pregnancy, breastfeeding or hormonal changes. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle can help preserve the results of your surgery for many years.

Our Breast Reduction Surgeon in Singapore

Dr Leo Kah Woon

Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeonMBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery) (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)

Dr Leo Kah Woon is a consultant plastic & reconstructive surgeon with fellowship training at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he further developed his expertise in breast reconstruction and aesthetic breast surgery. He takes a personalised approach to breast reduction surgery, carefully balancing symptom relief with natural-looking breast shape and proportion to help patients achieve lasting functional and aesthetic improvements.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr Leo is a Gold Medal recipient in the Plastic Surgery Exit Examination and regularly contributes to the training of plastic surgeons in Singapore. His experience in breast surgery allows him to tailor each procedure to the patient's anatomy, lifestyle and treatment goals while maintaining a strong focus on safety and long-term outcomes.