Before treatment

First appointment

At Perfecta your care is led by your Consultant Plastic Surgeon. Your first appointment is with your surgeon and lasts round half an hour and includes specialist assessment and discussion of your options for treatment. We will show you photographs of our patients who have had breast reduction to show you the type of outcome we can achieve for you and the sides and nature of the scars.

After your first appointment we will send you information about your treatment options and provide you with a fixed cost for your package of care. We will then give you time and space to decide what you would like to do. When you are ready our office team will help you book a date for your procedure and arrange a second appointment with your surgeon.

Second appointment

Your second appointment gives you the chance to meet your surgeon again and discuss your procedure in more detail, including your hospital care, anaesthetic and recovery and your aftercare plan. We will also discuss the potential risks and complications of surgery, so you are fully informed.

Pre-assessment appointment

A few weeks before your procedure you will have an appointment with our nurses for a pre-operative medical. Our nurses will tell you everything you need to know for the day of your procedure, such as what time to stop eating and drinking, what time to come in to the hospital, and what to bring with you. If you have any questions about these details or anything else then please ask your nurse or feel free to email or call us.

Do your research

Read up on your treatment options before your appointment. Good sources of information are our website and the BAPRAS website (www.bapras.co.uk) and BAAPS website (www.baaps.co.uk). It can be helpful to read blogs written by people who have had your procedure. But bear in mind they only have experience of their own journey. Your expert Consultant Plastic Surgeon and our experienced nurses have looked after hundreds of patients and have an unrivalled level of knowledge and understanding to help you. Ask us anything you want to know.

Can I get finance?

The private hospitals we work with offer finance for your procedure. Please ask for further details at your consultation or click here for more information.

On the day of your procedure

Things to bring

Bring your phone and charger and a book or magazine. There is always a lot of waiting around in hospital so bring things to keep you amused. There is a TV in your private room and your partner, family member or friend can stay with you the whole time. Bring you dressing gown and slippers and you can stay comfortable in your favourite things whilst you wait.

Will I see my Consultant Plastic Surgeon on the day?

When you arrive at the hospital you will be shown to your private room and your nurse will get you ready for your procedure. At Perfecta your care is led by your Consultant Plastic Surgeon and you will see them again on the day of your procedure to go through some final paperwork, including the hospital consent form, take photographs for your medical records and do your pre-operative markings. Then you are ready to go.

Who will give my anaesthetic?

We only work with experienced Consultant Anaesthetists, all of whom are also NHS Consultant Anaesthetists. You will have the opportunity to meet your Consultant Anaesthetist on the day as well. They will complete your pre-operative assessment to make sure you are safe and ready to go ahead. They will talk you through the anaesthetic and your recovery. General anaesthetic (asleep) can make people feel sick and surgery can be painful. We take great care to make your procedure as smooth as possible and do lots of things to help you wake up without feeling sore or sick. 

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Your package of care

All of your after-care is provided as part of your package of care, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. When you are ready to go home, the nurses will give you an appointment for your first check up a week later. You will see your Consultant Plastic Surgeon 3 months after surgery and again after 12 months. If you have any problems in between appointments then don’t worry, just give us a call, speak to the nurses and come back to see us.

What happens after my surgery?

Gynaecomastia surgery is done with you asleep. We use dissolving stitches and showerproof dressings to make your aftercare as easy as possible. Most patients go home the same day but you can stay overnight if required.

Dressings, tapes and massage

We use showerproof tape dressings after your surgery. Continue with the tape for four weeks. After four weeks remove the tape and massage your chest in the shower with the shampoo or shower gel and massage the scar every day with Bio-oil (which you can find at Superdrug and supermarkets).

Can I shower after my procedure?

Yes – you can shower from day one. We encourage you to shower every day after surgery. The dressings we use are showerproof and are designed to get wet. After showering simply dab your dressings dry with a towel before putting your bra back on.

What should I wear afterwards?

Wear a lycra-rich sports top 24/7 (all the time you are not in the shower) for the first 3 months to help your post-operative swelling to settle.

When can I return to normal activities and work?

Please gently return to all your normal activities straight after your procedure. Washing your hair is great physiotherapy for your arms and shoulders after chest surgery. Most of our clients are back to most things (including work) a week or two after surgery and are back to everything (Including the gym and exercise classes) in a month or so. You can drive as soon as you feel safe and able to do so.

When can I go on holiday?

This is a common question in clinic, particularly leading up to the summer. You could travel the following day if you need to. However it would be sensible to wait a couple of weeks. Most patients settle well and without any problems after breast surgery. However if you do have any issues then it is nice to be able to pop in and see us.

Sun protection and skin conditioning

Your chest will be more sensitive in the sun for a while after breast surgery. Look after yourself in the sun, particularly in the first six months after your procedure. Factor 50 suncream and lots of moisturising cream (or Bio-oil) are helpful