Breast Reduction

Breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, reduces the size of overly large breasts.

Breast reductions are extremely successful for women with very large, pendulous breasts who are experiencing medical problems such as back and neck pain, shoulder grooving, skin irritation, hygiene difficulties, and nerve pain caused by the excess weight of their breasts.

Most women considering a breast reduction are in search of physical relief over cosmetic improvement.

At your consultation, your surgeon will measure your current breast size and review your medical history with you. Photos will be taken for submission to your insurance company to see if your plan would deem this procedure as being medically necessary. Your plastic surgeon will discuss your expectations with you and determine your desired size. What to expect before and after surgery as well as the procedure itself will be explained by your plastic surgeon and our licensed staff members.

If it is done as a cosmetic procedure, a breast reduction costs between $8,000-$9,500.

How is a Breast Reduction Done?

A breast reduction is performed by making an incision around the areola (the colored area around the nipple), extending downward along the natural crease under the breast. The incision will be in the shape of an anchor. Like all scars, it is permanent, but fades beautifully over the next 12-18 months.

Your plastic surgeon will remove breast tissue and skin and move the nipple up to a more favorable position. Depending upon the shape and size of the breast, the nipple will remain attached to the breast tissue, or it may be completely removed and grafted to a higher position on the breast. This will cause loss of sensation in the areola, but most women who need their nipples removed and grafted during surgery are extremely large, so losing sensation in their nipples is not a big concern. 

The skin will then be brought down on both sides and around the areola, providing the breast with a new shape and size. Sutures, or stitches, are placed along the incision line underneath the skin and sealed with surgical glue. The breasts are then dressed in a surgical compression bra.

What should I expect when having a Breast Reduction?

Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication which will help to control pain for the first few days following surgery. Your surgical bra will need to be worn twenty-four hours a day for the first four weeks after surgery. 

You will be moving at a slower pace for the first few days after surgery. At about a week post-op you should be able to resume normal routine daily activities. You will be restricted from exercising or lifting anything more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks after surgery.

How long do the results of a Breast Reduction Last?

Breast reduction results could last for a woman’s lifetime, but it is essential to maintain a stable weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Additionally, having children after the operation could reverse results as the breasts change during and after pregnancy. The procedure does not prevent the breasts from undergoing normal aging processes, so gravity will take its course as a patient ages. Many patients feel their physical symptoms are relieved immediately, but it takes about three months to see final results.

Possible Risks of Breast Reduction

As with any invasive procedure, temporary bruising and swelling will follow after a breast reduction. Risks associated with the operation include the loss of sensation in the areolas, nipples, and surrounding skin. In rare cases, an infection can occur, or a severe complication could necessitate removal of the nipple and skin surrounding the area.

For women considering having children after a breast reduction or who are currently breastfeeding, the procedure could result in the inability to breastfeed. Though the risks of a breast reduction operation need careful consideration, many women feel that the emotional and physical benefits outweigh any potential complications.

Breast reduction is not safe for women who smoke, are significantly overweight, or have serious medical conditions. 

Extra Benefits of a Breast Reduction

The primary benefit of a breast reduction is smaller breast size. However, beyond physical benefits, many women want to reduce their breast size for cosmetic reasons. The surgery lifts and reshapes the breasts for a more youthful and favorable appearance. Additionally, a breast reduction could balance a woman’s silhouette and allow clothing to look and feel better.

One benefit many women seek from the procedure is improved comfort when wearing bras. Women who are unhappy with the size of their areolas can have them reduced during surgery leading to a better cosmetic result.

Though many women want to undergo a breast reduction for the physical advantages, most patients also experience positive psychological impacts after surgery. Higher levels of self-confidence translate into a better quality of life for a total transformation.

Contact Us Today!

To learn more about breast reduction, call or email our staff to schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Call today at 574-968-9100 option #2!