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Breast Reduction

Large breasts are not simply an aesthetic concern. The weight they carry causes chronic back, shoulder and neck pain. They restrict exercise, make clothing difficult, cause skin irritation beneath the breast and at bra straps, and for many patients create a persistent psychological burden that affects daily life for years.

Breast reduction surgery addresses all of this. By removing breast skin, glandular tissue and fat, Mr Matthew Potter reduces volume, relieves physical symptoms, and simultaneously elevates and reshapes the breast — trading size for comfort, and in most cases producing a breast shape that patients consider more proportionate and more youthful than before surgery.

Mr Potter has performed breast reduction surgery for sixteen years. His outcome data records 100% nipple and areolar survival, 0% return to theatre, and 0% wound breakdown across his entire career.
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Why Mr Potter

16 years performing breast reduction surgery

100% nipple survival

100% areolar survival

0% return to theatre

0% haematoma

0% wound breakdown

0% long-term nipple or areolar sensation loss

0% redo operations for corrections

No patient has stayed more than one night post-operatively

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Patient Imagery

Breast-Reduction-1-Pre-Op
Breast-Reduction-1-Post-Op
Breast-Reduction-2-Pre-Op
Breast-Reduction-2-Post-Op
Breast-Reduction-3-Pre-Op
Breast-Reduction-3-Post-Op

Your Recovery

What to Expect

Recovery from breast reduction is generally well tolerated. Some swelling and tenderness in the first week is normal and expected. Wound tapes will begin to peel off after a few days and can be trimmed at home.

Recovery Timeline

Days 1 – Drains removed; sports bra fitted; shower with tape in place

Days 1–2 – Oral pain relief as needed — most patients need it for two days only

Days 3–5 – Wound tapes begin to peel; trim at home as needed

10 days – Wound check; any areolar sutures removed

3 weeks – Review with Mr Potter

8 weeks – Sports bra and avoidance of underwired bras until this point

8 weeks – Return to normal activities

Do's & Don'ts

  • Wear a supportive soft sports bra day and night for 8 weeks following the procedure
  • Avoid underwired bras for at least 8 weeks following complete wound healing
  • Shower the day after surgery with tape in place; wash thoroughly and allow to air dry
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights for 6 weeks
  • Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre
  • Return to normal activities at 8 weeks

The Procedure

What the operation involves

Breast reduction surgery removes breast skin, glandular tissue and fat to reduce volume and reshape the breast. Every piece of tissue removed is sent for histological analysis as standard.

The resulting scars follow an inverted T or anchor pattern: around the areola, running vertically from the areola to the underside of the breast, and horizontally along the base of the breast. Mr Potter makes every effort to place and minimise these, and they fade significantly over time — but they are permanent, and he will discuss them in detail during your consultations. Raised wound edges from the deeper sutures will flatten at around one month, producing the optimal long-term scar.

Where appropriate, breast reduction can be performed alongside breast implant augmentation — reducing and tightening the skin envelope while also increasing volume.

What Happens on the Day

You will be admitted on the day of your procedure and seen by the anaesthetist and Mr Potter before going to theatre. Your breasts will be marked and you will have the opportunity to ask any final questions before surgery begins.

Breast reduction is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately three to four hours. Drains are placed within the surgical site and typically removed the following morning. Once drains are out and you have recovered, most patients are ready to go home — no patient in Mr Potter’s data has stayed more than one night.

On the first day following the procedure you will be put into a sports bra. Wounds are covered with skin-coloured tape only — no bulky dressings. The tape can be showered the day after surgery. Sutures are almost always absorbable; any sutures around the areola are removed at ten days if needed.
Mr Potter will discuss all risks in full during your consultations. His outcome data across sixteen years of breast reduction surgery reflects an exceptional safety record.
Risks associated with breast reduction include:
  • Scarring — permanent; follows an inverted T or anchor pattern; fades significantly over time but scars are rarely completely invisible; Mr Potter will show you examples during consultation; raised wound edges flatten at around one month
  • Infection or wound breakdown — less than 5%; most likely at the base of the breast at the junction of the scars; managed with dressings at the hospital; 0% in Mr Potter’s data
  • Changes in nipple or areolar sensation — Mr Potter uses a technique that maintains as many nerve connections to the chest wall as possible; 0% long-term loss in his data; some temporary change is possible in the early recovery period
  • Nipple or areolar compromise — 100% nipple and areolar survival in Mr Potter’s data; loss of one or both nipples is exceptionally rare
  • Fat necrosis — rare; loss of fat volume after the procedure that may cause lumps or an oily discharge; managed with dressings or massage
  • Haematoma — 0% in Mr Potter’s data; drains are placed during surgery to minimise this risk and removed before discharge
  • Wound breakdown — 0% in Mr Potter’s data
  • Asymmetry — pre-existing asymmetry is common; Mr Potter will remove different volumes from each breast where needed to correct this
  • Potential inability to breast feed — the procedure removes glandular tissue which may affect the ability to breast feed; patients who wish to breast feed in future should discuss this with Mr Potter before proceeding
  • DVT / pulmonary embolus — specialist stockings and blood-thinning injections are provided during your stay
  • Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery to ensure you are happy with your result

What Patients Say

A referral by friends and clients to choose Nuffield Hospital to have my surgery and it was the best choice I ever made. My situation was that I was meant to have the procedure done by another private clinic in Bristol before my travels. However, the company messed me about and I had to walk away. I then went to Nuffield with an almost impossible task of asking them to help me with my surgery in such a short space of time as I would be leaving the country in a few months. Nuffield were quick to book me in for a consultation due to their no waiting list and after speaking to the helpful P.A, she referred me to Mr Potter who has had outstanding reviews. The fist consultation with Mr Potter was very helpful compared to the last company. He was very friendly and professional. He explained everything down to the last detail to make sure I understood everything clearly, as well as getting to know me and my situation. After the first initial consultation, I believe I went back only 3 times to take pictures, measurements and a final health check before filling out a questionnaire on my health and medical history. The day of my operation was set for the end of October, which was only 6 weeks after I first contacted Nuffield. The nurses were very friendly and took me to my private room where I would spend the next 24 hours. It was so clean and spacious, it felt like a hotel room. Mr Potter came to see me before to see how I was doing and just for some last minute checks. He assured me that it will go well which I was already confident off as he had showed me his portfolio of previous patients and I was very impressed. As soon as I woke up from surgery I was already amazed of how well it went! He saw me the next day and he was also happy of how it went. I honestly didn’t expect a perfect outcome. Few months down the line and my scars have healed and I have never felt happier or as confident in years. I would recommend Mr Potter and the Nuffield hospital to anyone. The cost of the whole procedure was another bonus as Nuffield would match the cost of a different company who would do the same procedure at a cheaper price and in the end I ended up saving myself around £1000. I’m so happy and very grateful to him and Nuffield.
John DoeCEO
Mr Potter is a very kind and gentle man. He takes great pride in his work and makes an effort to get to know and listen to his patients. I have no hesitation in recommending him.
John DoeCEO
Given the fact that I have type 2 and had a heart attack 2 years ago I presented Matt with complex request of 2 procedures I was looking to have undertaken. Our discussions were thorough and I had an honest and candid opinion by Matt, where he stated his reasoning for his opinion. We agreed on the course of action and I went into surgery in November 2017. I felt entirely comfortable in Matt’s care , his chosen anaesthetist was excellent, friendly and open.
Please accept our gratitude to you. We acknowledge the hard work and commitment you put into being the best you can be at your work. WD
You could not be in better hands. I had to have the “drains” removed each side of my breasts, and whilst the 1st one came out easily, the second one got a bit stuck & was quite painful. Matt asked for feedback on every aspect of the experience & once I explained this, Matt informed me that there was an alternative option which he was keen to introduce at Cheltenham Nuffield – one he was already using elsewhere, but I understand this is part & parcel of the Nuffield & some persuasion was needed.Overall, for anyone thinking of a breast reduction, this man is the way to go!
Matt Potter, you have totally changed my life and I can’t thank you enough!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does breast reduction surgery involve?

Breast reduction removes skin, glandular tissue and fat from the breast to reduce volume and reshape the breast. The procedure also elevates the breast and repositions the nipple, typically producing a breast that is both smaller and more projected than before surgery. Every piece of removed tissue is sent for histological analysis as standard.

Yes — breast reduction produces permanent scars in an inverted T or anchor pattern. Mr Potter places incisions as carefully as possible and scars fade significantly over time, but they should be considered carefully before proceeding. He will discuss them in detail and show you examples during consultation.

Yes. Where a patient wants to reduce and reshape but also add some volume, Mr Potter can perform a reduction alongside augmentation. He will discuss whether this is appropriate for you.

Mr Potter uses a technique that maintains as many nerve connections to the chest wall as possible. His outcome data records 0% long-term loss of nipple or areolar sensation. Some temporary change in sensation is possible in the early recovery period.

The procedure removes glandular tissue which may affect the ability to breast feed. Patients who wish to breast feed in future should discuss this with Mr Potter before proceeding.

Yes. Every piece of tissue removed during breast reduction is sent for histological analysis as standard.

Most patients go home the day after surgery once drains have been removed. Most return to office-based work within two weeks. Mr Potter reviews you at ten days, three weeks, and three months.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.