Breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure that reduces the tissues of the breast for medical and aesthetic reasons. This surgical procedure is generally recommended for women who experience physical difficulties due to breast size, such as pain in the neck and shoulder area, migraines due to bad posture, back pain, restrictions in activity due to discomfort, as well as rash development under the breast, self esteem problems and difficulty finding properly fitting clothing. Surgical alteration of the breasts is done after the breasts have stopped growing, but in extreme cases can be done for younger persons experiencing difficulty. This surgery not only relieves the patient of pain but also contributes to an aesthetically appealing and balanced physical appearance, promoting good physical as well as mental health.

Before a breast reduction procedure, a cosmetic surgeon will perform an examination of the breasts. During this exam the surgeon will discuss surgical options and discuss the desired outcome of the surgery with the patient. The surgeon may also suggest the patient have a mammogram. If this is suggested, after surgery the patient will go for another mammogram, and perhaps another 6 months to 1 year afterward. This allows the physician to observe the healing process of the breast. The most common surgical technique for breast reduction procedure involves the cosmetic surgeon making an incision shaped as an “anchor” that circles the areola and proceeds downward toward where the breast and the abdomen meet. The surgeon then makes an incision in the crease of the breast where its meet the abdomen. The plastic surgeon then removes all the tissue, fat and skin necessary until the breast is reduced to the desired size. During most reduction surgeries, the nipple and areola remain attached. When all tissue has been removed the nipple and areola will be placed slightly higher on the breast. In some cases the areola must be reduced in size to accommodate the newly sized breast. In cases of extreme breast downsizing, the areola and nipple are removed to allow for greater amounts of tissue to be extracted, and once the tissue has been removed, adhered on the breast in the desired position. There will be light scarring from breast reduction surgery. These scars fade over time. Recovery from reduction surgery takes approximately 6 weeks, during which time activity is limited and a surgical bra must be worn at all times.

The possible side effects to reduction surgery are numbness around the nipples, and in some cases, loss of feeling in that area. This may happen in cases of extreme reduction when the nipple and areola have been removed to accommodate large amounts of tissue removal.

The cost of breast reduction surgery is approximately $5,000 to $7,000 dollars. Insurance coverage may be available for breast reduction surgery. This coverage has specific guidelines for procedure and amount of breast removed.