
Breast reduction
Breast reduction is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces breast volume by removing excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, to relieve the discomfort of heavy breasts and restore a more balanced figure. Unlike a purely aesthetic procedure, it also addresses real physical discomfort (back and neck pain, everyday limitations). For women whose large breasts affect their comfort and wellbeing, Maison Tóā in Lausanne assesses each situation with a medical, personalised approach, towards a natural result suited to their body shape.
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Indications: overly large breasts (hypertrophy) · back and neck pain · functional and aesthetic discomfort
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Anaesthesia: general anaesthesia
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Duration of the procedure: approximately 3 hours
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Hospital stay: 1 night
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Recovery: work after 2 to 4 weeks; sport from 4 weeks
- Price: See our prices
What is breast reduction?
Breast reduction is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces breast volume by removing part of the mammary gland, fat and excess skin. It relieves the pain caused by heavy breasts, rebalances the figure and improves everyday comfort, durably and in proportion to the patient’s body shape. It is one of the most frequently performed procedures in female plastic surgery. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, it brings real physical and psychological relief to patients with overly large breasts, which often cause difficulty finding clothes, limit sporting activity and lead to lasting self-consciousness.
Goal
Breast reduction has a twofold goal: to relieve the physical pain caused by heavy breasts (back pain, neck tension, breathing difficulties) and to restore a harmonious figure suited to the patient’s body shape. The volume is reduced while the breasts are repositioned for a balanced, natural result.
How it works
The procedure removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, then reshapes the breast and moves the areola and nipple to a higher position. Sutures are made with absorbable thread, so there are no stitches to remove.
Method
Breast reduction relies on landmarks drawn on the breasts beforehand by the surgeon on the day of the operation, before anaesthesia. The procedure (removal of excess tissue, reshaping of the breast and repositioning of the areola) most often results in an “inverted T” scar, adapted to the volume to be removed and to each patient’s body shape.
Differences from other approaches
No aesthetic medicine technique can durably reduce the volume of hypertrophic breasts: breast reduction remains the only medical solution when there is significant excess glandular tissue and skin.
Indications and treatment areas
Breast reduction is intended for patients whose large breasts affect their physical comfort, activity and wellbeing. It is considered after a medical assessment of the hypertrophy and its consequences.
Main indications
Breasts that are too large and out of proportion with the figure, causing self-consciousness, difficulty finding clothes and a wish for aesthetic balance.
Secondary indications
Medically, breast reduction relieves chronic back and neck pain, irritation under the inframammary fold and the sporting limitations caused by hypertrophy. In cases of severe hypertrophy with documented pain, coverage by basic health insurance may be considered, subject to a prior request from the surgeon.
Treatment areas
The treatment area is the breasts: the volume is reduced and the breast reshaped for a more balanced figure.
Specific areas
The areola and nipple are moved to a higher position during the procedure, and the diameter of the areola is also reduced.
Limitations
Breast reduction is intended for adult patients in good general health, with stable hypertrophy and a well-considered plan. Smoking, excess weight or very severe hypertrophy (gigantomastia) increase certain risks and are assessed during the consultation.
How does the procedure work at Maison Tóā, Lausanne?
Every breast reduction follows a structured medical pathway, from the first consultation to post-operative follow-up.
1 The consultation

The pre-operative consultation assesses the hypertrophy, skin quality, associated pain and your expectations. The surgeon explains the technique, the scars, the benefits and the risks. Time for reflection is given before any decision.
Read more2 The procedure

On the day of the operation, the surgeon draws landmarks on the breasts before you are put to sleep. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 3 hours: the surgeon removes excess glandular tissue, fat and skin, reshapes the breast and repositions the areola. A drain is placed on each side and removed after 24 hours.
Read more3 Follow-up

A one-night hospital stay is planned, and a sports bra is worn day and night for 1 month. Showering is possible from the next day (after the drains are removed), baths once healing is complete (2 to 3 weeks). Work resumes after 2 to 4 weeks and sport after 1 month. Pain, tightness, swelling and bruising are usual in the first few days and gradually subside. A temporary loss of sensation, particularly in the nipple, may last 6 to 18 months.
Read moreResults: what to expect (before/after)
The result of a breast reduction becomes clearer gradually, as swelling subsides and the breasts settle into their final position after 3 months.
BEFORE / AFTER
First results
The new bust is visible as soon as the operation is over. The breasts may look tight or swollen for the first few weeks, which is normal and improves gradually.
Stabilisation
After the first three months, the swelling has completely subsided and the breasts settle into their final position.
Duration
The result of a breast reduction is long-lasting. Volume and shape may nevertheless change over time with weight fluctuations, pregnancy or the natural ageing of the tissues.
Maintenance
Breast reduction requires no particular maintenance. Keeping a stable weight helps preserve the result over time.
Variability
Results vary depending on body shape, skin quality, the volume removed and individual healing. As with any procedure, results may vary from person to person.
Scars
The scars are located around the areola, vertically and, most often, horizontally in the inframammary fold (“inverted T” scar). Made with absorbable thread, they fade gradually; healing is complete after about a year.
Contraindications and side effects
At Maison Tóā Clinic in Lausanne, every breast reduction is considered within a rigorous medical framework, with a pre-operative consultation dedicated to assessing the indication and the risks.
What are the contraindications?
Certain situations lead to the procedure being postponed or adapted: current pregnancy or breastfeeding, active infection, clotting disorders, unstable general illness that may contraindicate anaesthesia, or unrealistic expectations. These are assessed during the consultation.
Possible side effects
Rarer complications may occur: bleeding (painful tightness early on should lead to a return to surgery); infection (rare, treated with antibiotics); seroma, the most common complication (a build-up of serous fluid that usually resolves on its own); thromboembolic events (very rare, prevented by early mobilisation); scar problems (wound separation, widened or keloid scars); residual asymmetry; fat necrosis (a nodule of poorly vascularised fat, with a higher risk in cases of excess weight, smoking or gigantomastia). These risks are explained in detail during the pre-operative consultation.
Prices
Breast reduction prices:
At Maison Tóā in Lausanne, breast reduction is offered at an all-inclusive, transparent price with no hidden costs:
- Breast reduction: from CHF 12,000
- Breast surgery consultation: CHF 200, deductible from your first procedure if it is booked within three months of the consultation.
Payment
Payment is made before the operation, by card or in cash. An instalment payment plan may be offered, subject to eligibility.
What’s included
The package includes the consultation, the procedure, anaesthesia, the operating theatre, the night at the clinic and post-operative follow-up.
Quote
The price varies with the volume to be removed and the technique used. In certain medical cases (very significant hypertrophy, documented back pain), coverage by basic health insurance may be considered and discussed during the consultation. A personalised quote is drawn up at the first consultation, specifying the cost of the procedure and what is included.
A deposit of CHF 200 is required to confirm your appointment at Maison Tóā Clinic. If you cancel at least 48 hours in advance, this deposit will be refunded in full.
Alternatives and complementary treatments
Alternative treatments
When the excess is mainly fatty and moderate, a reduction by breast liposuction alone can sometimes be discussed; it does not replace glandular reduction in cases of true hypertrophy.
Combining with other treatments
Breast reduction inherently includes repositioning of the breasts (a procedure similar to a breast lift). Depending on the situation, it can be combined with an asymmetry correction. The strategy is defined after a personalised medical assessment.
Why choose breast reduction?
Beyond the aesthetic benefit, breast reduction provides lasting relief from the pain caused by heavy breasts. It is performed by Dr Sophie Nordback, an FMH-certified plastic surgeon, in a setting that brings aesthetic medicine and aesthetic surgery together under one roof.
Trust our experts
At Maison Tóā, our team of specialized physicians embodies excellence and innovation in aesthetic medicine. Passionate about their craft, they put their expertise at the service of your beauty and well-being. Every treatment is performed with careful attention, using the most advanced techniques to ensure natural and personalized results.

Dr. Sophie Nordback
Dr. Alexandra Miles
Dr. Reda Bennani

Dr. Laetitia Guarino

Dr. Adnan Plakalo
Dr. Natalia Koltunova
Frequently asked questions
How much does breast reduction cost in Switzerland?
At Maison Tóā in Lausanne, breast reduction starts at CHF 12,000. The price depends on the volume to be removed and the technique; a detailed quote is provided at the consultation. In certain documented medical cases, partial coverage by basic health insurance may be considered.
How long does the operation take?
About 3 hours on average, under general anaesthesia, with a one-night hospital stay.
What scars are left after breast reduction?
The scars are located around the areola, vertically and sometimes horizontally (“inverted T” scar). Made with absorbable thread, they fade over time; complete healing takes about a year.
What are the possible complications?
As with any surgery, there are risks: bleeding, infection, seroma (the most common), thromboembolic events (very rare), scar problems, temporary changes in sensation, residual asymmetry or fat necrosis. They are explained in detail during the pre-operative consultation.
What is the post-operative care?
A sports bra is worn day and night for 1 month. The dressing is changed the next day, then at 1 and 2 weeks. Showering is possible from the next day (once the drains are removed), baths once healing is complete (2 to 3 weeks) and sport after 1 month.
Can I breastfeed after breast reduction?
This depends on the technique used and the amount of glandular tissue removed. Some patients are able to breastfeed partially. This is assessed during the pre-operative consultation.
Is breast reduction covered by insurance in Switzerland?
In certain documented medical cases (significant hypertrophy, back pain), coverage by basic health insurance may be considered. It is assessed case by case and discussed during the consultation.
Related articles
Medical consultation and booking
Breast reduction is an important decision, both aesthetic and functional. During the surgical consultation, Dr Sophie Nordback assesses your breasts, your pain and your expectations, explains the technique, the scars and the recovery, and checks whether medical coverage may apply. A personalised quote is then provided.











