Dr Axel De LangePlastic Surgeon
A consultation room at the clinic, with a treatment chair beside a curtained window

Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction in Brussels · Dr Axel De Lange

Relief from physical discomfort, with a shape suited to your body.

A breast reduction decreases the volume of the breasts by removing excess glandular, fatty and skin tissue, while reshaping the breasts and repositioning the areolae.

It relieves back and neck pain and the functional discomfort associated with overly large breasts, while improving their shape, firmness and harmony with the figure.

The goallighter, better-proportioned and naturally shaped breasts, combining physical comfort with aesthetic improvement.

A breast reduction is intended for women whose breasts are too large or out of proportion with their figure, causing aesthetic, physical or functional discomfort.

It is particularly indicated in cases of back, neck or shoulder pain, irritation under the breasts, difficulty taking part in sport or discomfort in daily life.

The ideal patient is in good health, has a relatively stable weight and wishes to regain lighter, harmonious breasts suited to her body shape.

Medically reviewed by Dr Axel De Lange · Last reviewed

Your journey,
step by step.

Step 01

First consultation

During the first consultation, the surgeon takes the time to understand the patient's expectations and to assess the volume and shape of her breasts as well as any functional discomfort.

A clinical examination makes it possible to determine the most suitable surgical technique, to estimate the volume to be removed and to explain the scars, the expected benefits and the possible risks.

If you meet the criteria for your health insurance fund to cover the procedure, the surgeon will give you a request for approval to pass on to your fund's medical adviser.

to develop a personalised surgical plan that balances functional relief, a harmonious figure and the patient's aesthetic expectations.

Step 02

2nd consultation

The second consultation serves to confirm the surgical plan and to refine the goals for reducing and reshaping the breasts.

It is an opportunity to answer any remaining questions, to specify the desired volume and to review the surgical technique, the scars, the risks and the postoperative course. Any preoperative tests and the arrangements for cover by the health insurance fund are also discussed.

to allow the patient to approach her procedure with peace of mind, with realistic expectations and a full understanding of how the operation will proceed.

Step 03

The procedure

Anaesthesia: the procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

Duration of the procedure: generally between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the volume to be removed and the technique used.

Setting: the procedure is performed in the operating theatre, in a safe hospital environment.

Hospital stay: generally as day surgery or with one night in hospital, depending on the extent of the reduction and the patient's recovery.

Going home: the same day or the next day, with personalised postoperative recommendations.

Step 04 · Follow-up

First days

Check of the dressings, the scars and the absence of complications.

Step 04 · Follow-up

After 2 to 3 weeks

Assessment of healing and the resolution of oedema.

Step 04 · Follow-up

After 3 months

Check of the softening of the tissues and the development of the breast shape.

Step 04 · Follow-up

After 6 to 12 months

Assessment of the final result and the maturation of the scars.

Common question

Is this procedure covered?

In Belgium, a breast reduction may qualify for a contribution from the health insurance fund when certain medical criteria are met. During the consultation, the surgeon assesses your situation and guides you through the steps needed for possible reimbursement.

Common question

Will I lose nipple sensation?

A breast reduction can cause a temporary decrease in sensation in the nipples and areolae, due to the reshaping of the tissues and the change in their nerve supply.

In most cases, sensation gradually improves over the months following the procedure. However, a permanent decrease, or even a complete loss of sensation, remains possible, particularly with large reductions.

to preserve nipple sensation as far as possible while achieving lighter, harmonious and naturally shaped breasts.

Common question

How much smaller will my breasts be?

The extent of the breast reduction is determined individually, according to the initial volume of the breasts, the patient's body shape and her wishes.

During the consultations, the surgeon assesses the amount of tissue to be removed to achieve lighter, harmonious breasts in proportion with the figure, while preserving their shape, sensation and blood supply as far as possible.

to find the right balance between a reduction large enough to improve comfort and a breast volume that matches each patient's expectations.

Common question

Will there be visible scars?

Scars from a breast reduction are unavoidable, but generally become discreet over time. They are located around the areola, run vertically down to the inframammary fold and, depending on the extent of the reduction, horizontally within this fold, forming an inverted-T scar.

Initially pink or red, they gradually fade over the 12 to 18 months following the procedure, without ever disappearing completely.

lighter, harmonious and naturally shaped breasts, with scars that are as discreet as possible.

Consultation locations

Consultations are booked directly through each clinic's own platform. Appointments are not taken by phone.

See the locations

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