Can I have plastic surgery the same day as my consultation?

This is usually less likely, unless it is a very small procedure done under local anaesthesia and a procedure room slot is available. Singapore MOH regulation also mandates at least a one-week cooling period following consultation for local patients. Additional medical clearance or tests may be required prior to surgery.

Can I have a video consultation/telemedicine consultation?

Yes. Video consultations are suitable especially for out-of-town patients. For local patients, in-person consultation is still preferred. Video consultations will not be recorded and require pre-payment.

I want to do surgery, but I’m so afraid of the pain. What should I do?

It’s expected to have some pain after surgery. At Argent, appropriate analgesia (oral, local anesthesia, or patient-controlled analgesia) will be provided. Supportive garments may also be used postoperatively to reduce swelling and improve comfort.

Can I have more than one procedure done during the same surgery?

Yes, it is possible to combine multiple procedures, depending on the surgery type and postoperative care needs. For more extensive surgeries, sometimes procedures are staged to ensure maximal safety and optimal outcomes.

Should I bring someone along with me during the consultation?

Bringing a close friend, family member, or spouse can provide emotional support. However, if you come alone, that is also acceptable—Dr Lee Hanjing will provide a written discussion of the procedures and cover your questions.

What should I bring to the consultation?

Bring your full medical and surgical history, current medications and supplements, and a list of questions you wish to ask. This helps the surgeon better understand your needs and propose a suitable plan.

Is there a consultation fee?

Yes. Dr Lee Hanjing performs consultations personally, taking time to understand your concerns, examine you, and create a customized plan. The consultation fee reflects this level of personal care and expertise.

Breast Reduction Surgery in Singapore

At Argent Plastic Surgery, female breast reduction is performed by Dr Lee Hanjing, a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, at Mount Alvernia Hospital. The procedure removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to relieve physical symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder pain. When clinical criteria are met, breast reduction surgery may be claimable under Medisave or insurance.

What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Some women develop breast hyperplasia (enlarged breasts) during their pubertal years, while others retain their breast hypertrophy after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Enlarged breasts can lead to breast pain, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, rashes, and infection under the breast from constant friction and difficulty finding bras and clothes. It can also cause emotional distress, which can take a real toll on confidence, daily comfort, and how at ease one feels in their own body.

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure to remove the excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to alleviate discomfort and provide patients with a breast shape and size that is more proportionate to their frame. The position and size of the nipple and areola will also be addressed during the surgery so that they sit in a natural position, in proportion with the reshaped breast.

Who Is Breast Reduction Surgery Suitable For?

Many women live with the physical and emotional burden of heavy breasts for years before seeking help. Breast reduction surgery can be considered when these symptoms begin to affect daily function and wellbeing.

Some patients may wish to postpone or reconsider surgery:

Smokers, or those unwilling to stop smoking before and after the procedure
Patients whose weight is not yet stable
Patients planning a future pregnancy or breastfeeding
Adolescents whose breasts are still developing
Patients with untreated breast disease or unexplained breast symptoms

Based on the volume of the breast tissue removed, this procedure may be considered medically necessary, and you may be able to claim it under Medisave or personal or company insurance plans.

If you are experiencing discomfort and wish to determine your suitability for breast reduction surgery, you may schedule a clinical assessment with Dr Lee Hanjing.

Book a
Consultation

Consultation and planning

The initial consultation includes an in-depth discussion of your general health, symptoms and desired breast size after surgery, alongside a thorough examination and evaluation. During this visit, 3D pictures using a Quantificare 3D camera will be taken to aid with the evaluation and discussion.

It would be helpful to bring along any previous mammogram or ultrasound reports.

Every consultation is personalised and unhurried to ensure your safety and comfort. Reach out to our team to plan your visit. Book your consultation today.

How Breast Reduction Surgery Is Performed

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Most patients have the procedure as day surgery, though some prefer to be admitted overnight to rest and recover. The surgery typically takes about three hours, depending on breast size.

The surgery will involve:

Repositioning the Areola and Nipple: The nipple-areola complex is moved to a higher, more natural position on the reshaped breast.
Removing Excess Breast Tissue and Fat: Glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed to reduce breast volume.
Reshaping the Remaining Tissue: The remaining breast tissue is repositioned into a more proportionate shape.
Closing the Incisions in Layers: The incisions are closed in layers to support healing and minimise tension on the wound.

The incision pattern and resulting scar depend on the size of the breast and the volume that needs to be removed:

Periareolar (Circular) Scar: A circular incision around the areola, suitable for smaller reductions where minimal skin removal is required.
Vertical (Lollipop) Scar: A circular incision around the areola plus a vertical line down to the breast crease, used for moderate reductions.
Anchor (Inverted-T) Scar: A circular incision around the areola, a vertical line down to the breast crease, and a horizontal line along the crease, used for larger reductions where significant skin and tissue removal is required.
Liposuction Where Appropriate: Liposuction may be performed at the same setting to address accessory breast tissue or fat over the side of the chest.

Recovery After Breast Reduction Surgery

After surgery, you will be fitted with a supportive bra. Post-operative drains may be inserted for several days. You can return home on the same day or be admitted for overnight recovery. Pain medication will be provided to manage discomfort, and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled within the first few weeks to ensure your recovery is progressing as expected.

A typical recovery timeline:

First Week: Expect discomfort, swelling and bruising managed with prescribed pain medication, with dressings reviewed during this period and most patients resting at home.
Weeks Two to Three: Most patients return to office work and light daily activities, with a follow-up appointment scheduled in this window.
Weeks Four to Six: Exercise should be avoided for the first four weeks, after which light activity can resume and build up gradually.
One Month Onwards: New bras can be fitted once swelling has settled, and scar care guidance begins in this period.
Up to One Year: Scars continue to mature and gradually fade over the months following surgery.

The average recovery time before returning to normal daily activities is two to three weeks. We recommend taking at least two weeks off work so the body has time to rest and heal without the added strain of work.

Preparing for Your Surgery

A few practical steps make the first days after surgery easier:

Arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure.
Have someone stay with you for at least the first night.
If post-operative drains are used, we will teach you how to handle them before discharge.
Prepare comfortable front-button dresses or shirts to wear during recovery, as raising your arms will be uncomfortable.

Every patient's healing journey is unique. To discuss a personalised recovery and preparation plan tailored to your lifestyle and medical history, schedule a consultation with us.

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Consultation

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks to be aware of before deciding whether breast reduction surgery is appropriate for you:

Bruising and Swelling: Post-operative bruising and swelling are common and generally resolve over the following three to four weeks.
Wound Healing and Scarring: There is a risk of wound-healing issues, particularly with larger reductions that require an anchor-shaped scar. The resulting scars are permanent, though they soften and fade gradually over the course of a year.
Sensory Changes: A small proportion of patients experience changes in sensation in the breast or nipple-areola region, which usually improve with time.
Asymmetry: Some degree of asymmetry may remain after surgery, as breasts are not mirror images of each other to begin with.
Effect on Breastfeeding: In about 25% of women who undergo breast reduction surgery, the ability to breastfeed may be affected.

As the procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, there is also a small risk related to anaesthesia. This is discussed openly during pre-operative planning, so every patient feels informed and supported going into surgery.

Medisave and Insurance for Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery may be claimable under Medisave or insurance when specific clinical criteria are met. The most common requirement is that at least 250cc of breast tissue is removed from each breast during the procedure.

Whether you are likely to meet this threshold can only be estimated after an assessment by a certified plastic surgeon, who can evaluate your breast volume and discuss your potential suitability.

Learn more about the insurance partners we work with for reconstructive and medically necessary procedures.

Is Breast Reduction Covered? Cost and Eligibility

The cost of breast reduction depends on the degree of breast ptosis, the volume of tissue to be removed, and the complexity of the surgical approach. The price typically ranges from $6,000 to $18,000.

Where the procedure meets medical-necessity criteria, Medisave and eligible insurance plans may cover part of the cost, with eligibility determined on an individual basis during consultation. Our team can walk you through the criteria, the documentation required, and the steps involved in making a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Reduction Surgery

How much does breast lift or breast reduction surgery cost in Singapore?

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

Breast lift surgery is mostly for women whose areola/nipple have started to droop, particularly if the level is lower than the inframammary fold. The volume of the breast does not have to be enlarged. Often, there is actually deflation of volume in the upper portions of the breast, with most of the breast glandular volume in the lower portions.

With breast lift surgery, the breast shape and volume can be rejuvenated by repositioning the drooped volume upwards, together with the areola and nipples. This is often also called auto-augmentation (augmentation of the breast using your own breast volume).

Breast reduction surgery, on the other hand, is when a more significant volume of breast gland is reduced to relieve physical symptoms like back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, rashes and infection under the breast. It often also comes with difficulties with finding clothes and bras, and often having to wear 2 or 3 supportive sports bras to support the massive weights of the breasts.

Can I use Medisave/insurance for breast reduction surgery in Singapore?

Yes, you can. However, certain criteria must be met. During breast reduction, each breast needs to have at least 250cc of breast volume removed to qualify. Do let a certified plastic surgeon assess the estimated volume and your potential suitability.

Navigating Medisave and insurance eligibility can be complex, but you do not have to figure it out alone. Our clinic team is here to guide you through the process and help clarify your options. Book a consultation to review your eligibility and the next steps.

How painful is breast reduction surgery?

How big do my breasts have to be before I can go for Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is for any woman who suffers from the physical symptoms of living with heavy breasts, like shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain, and rashes under the breasts. There is no absolute volume a woman needs to have before undergoing breast reduction surgery. However, if the breast volume removed is less than 250cc per breast, the cost of the surgery will not be covered under Medisave or Integrated Shield Plans in Singapore.

Can I exercise after breast reduction surgery?

Do scars from breast reduction surgery go away?

What are the risks and possible complications of breast reduction surgery?

Common complications include post-operative bruising and swelling, which generally resolve over the next 3-4 weeks. There is a chance of wound healing issues, particularly if your breast hypertrophy is in the larger range that requires an anchor-shaped scar. In a small proportion of patients, there may be some sensory changes to your breast and nipple/areolar region, which will improve with time.

There is also a risk of asymmetry of both breasts; however, our breasts are not mirror images of each other to begin with. In about 25% of women who have breast reduction surgery, their ability to breastfeed may be affected. As this surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, there is also a small risk related to anaesthesia.

Will my breasts grow back bigger after the breast reduction surgery?

Yes, there is a possibility. For women who have breast surgery done as a result of juvenile macromastia while in their teens or adolescent ages, during future periods when there are hormonal changes like pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts can enlarge in size again.

Similarly, women who get pregnant and start breastfeeding after an initial breast reduction surgery can also experience breast enlargement. It is advised that any woman considering breast reduction surgery have the procedure done after the completion of her family.