Breast Reduction

Sometimes, overly large breasts can be inconvenient or even painful, depending on your body type. Women with oversized breasts often feel restricted in their activities due to discomfort. Others have difficulty finding clothing that fits them properly. In addition, oversized breasts can sometimes lead to skin irritation or pain in the back, shoulders, or neck. With a breast reduction, Dr. Andrew Cohen can remove excess volume and create a beautiful, more proportionate shape.

Benefits of Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery (also referred to as mammoplasty) can be used to address both cosmetic and physical concerns. Women who choose breast reduction typically seek to accomplish one or more of the following:

Remove excess breast tissue
Elevate the position of the breast on the chest wall
Reshape the breast for a more proportionate look
Eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with oversized breasts
Improve range of physical activity

In many cases, breast reduction is combined with breast lift surgery to achieve greater rejuvenation of the breasts. After the breast reduction procedure, many women find the pain caused by oversized breasts is completely eliminated, feel more confident in social situations, and experience increased comfort while exercising (which can result in weight loss) and an improved overall quality of life.

Candidates for Breast Reduction

While all women who choose to undergo breast reduction want to decrease the volume and size of their breasts, the personal reasons for this may vary greatly. Candidates for breast reduction typically experience limited physical activity due to the size of their breasts and may not be able to participate in certain sports or exercises. Women with overly large breasts also commonly live with chronic discomfort or pain located in the neck, shoulders, or back. Oftentimes, there are deep indentations on the shoulders caused by bra straps that do not comfortably fit. The skin beneath the breasts may also become irritated or a rash may develop.

From a cosmetic perspective, some candidates wish to reduce the size of their breasts to address sagging and elevate the breasts above the abdomen. Overly large breasts can also lead to difficulty finding clothes or swimsuits that fit properly. Finally, many potential candidates who seek out Dr. Cohen for breast reduction have reported receiving undesirable attention due to the size of their breasts. The best way to determine your candidacy for breast reduction is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can perform a physical examination and thoroughly discuss your individual concerns.

The Consultation

Dr. Cohen will begin the breast reduction consultation by listening to your personal concerns and determining your candidacy for the procedure. The breast reduction procedure can be customized based upon the needs of the individual to achieve her expectations. Dr. Cohen will also review the risks and benefits of breast reduction surgery, allowing prospective patients to make an educated decision about their body and their health.

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Breast Reduction Techniques

Depending upon the patient’s needs and goals, Dr. Cohen will design the custom surgical plan using one of three major breast reduction techniques: vertical breast reduction, wise pattern breast reduction, and breast reduction with liposuction.With a vertical breast reduction, the plastic surgeon can excise breast tissue through a “lollipop” incision that circles the areola and extends downward toward the bottom of the breast. Although the recovery from a breast reduction performed with the vertical technique may have an abbreviated recovery time, this method may not be ideal for candidates who wish to remove a large volume of breast tissue or have significant excess skin.

A wise pattern breast reduction allows the plastic surgeon to remove a substantial amount of breast tissue with the use of an “anchor” incision. This technique is similar to a vertical breast reduction but has an additional incision under the crease of the breast. Though the recovery may take a bit more time compared to a vertical breast reduction, the wise pattern technique can achieve a more dramatic transformation.Finally, some patients may best benefit from breast reduction performed with liposuction. With this technique, the plastic surgeon can remove excess fatty tissue from the breasts through very small incisions. This procedure is ideal for patients who have good skin elasticity and who desire a smaller degree of breast reduction.

Outline of Typical Breast Reduction Procedure

Duration of Surgery: 2-4 hours, depending upon technique
Anesthesia Type: General anesthesia
Hospital Status: Outpatient
Post-Operative: Mild soreness, sensitivity, swelling, or bruising; temporary change in nipple sensation
Surgical Risks: Blood clots, infection, and in rare instances loss of nipple sensation are among the risks of breast reduction surgery; however, Dr. Cohen is highly experienced and employs techniques that can reduce the risk of these complications.
Duration of Recovery: One week before returning to work, two weeks before resuming normal exercise, and several months for scars to fade
Results: The results of breast reduction are considered permanent.

Cost of Breast Reduction

Every breast reduction procedure is customized for the patient, and as a result, the cost of the procedure will vary from case to case. The surgeon’s fee for a breast reduction ranges from $10,000-$15,000 depending on how long it will take in the operating room for the surgeon. There will be additional fees for the operating room and anesthesia, as well.

Common factors that influence the overall price of the procedure include:

The surgical technique employed
The complexity of the procedure
Experience of the plastic surgeon
Geographic location of the practice

After your initial consultation, Dr. Cohen will be able to provide an accurate quote for the cost of your customized breast reduction.

The cost of your breast reduction may be covered by your insurance provider if you are having the procedure performed for medical reasons. Insurance companies typically require at least 500 grams of tissue to be removed from each side for the procedure to qualify for coverage. Our staff can help coordinate the financing of your surgery with your insurance provider, and help you navigate the details regarding required criteria for coverage.For patients who may need further assistance, we offer a number of plastic surgery financing options. Through third-party companies such as CareCredit®, ALPHAEON™ Credit, and BLIS® Specialty Insurance, patients may qualify for low monthly payment plans with little or no interest. To learn more about these financing options for your breast reduction, please contact a member of our staff.

Contact Us

To learn more about how breast reduction surgery can help relieve pain and achieve your cosmetic goals, please contact our office to schedule your consultation.