Breast Reduction

What Can Breast Reduction Accomplish?

Overly large breasts can cause a number of unwanted effects. Many women seek out a breast reduction to minimize these symptoms, which can lead to a more comfortable and confident life. Breast reduction surgery can help:

• Reduce overly large breasts
• Alleviate pain caused by overly large breasts
• Lift and reshape the breasts and areola
• Improve the body’s silhouette

Patients who pursue breast reduction to alleviate pain and uncomfortable symptoms are often able to lead healthier, more active lives once they no longer have to contend with the limitations of large, heavy breasts. Dr. Goldberg will ask you about your goals and concerns during a private consultation to help you determine whether breast reduction can achieve the results you’re looking for.

Is Breast Reduction Right For Me?

If you struggle with overly large, pendulous breasts (breast hypertrophy or macromastia) you may additionally suffer from pain caused by the breasts and may be self-conscious about your body. The pain associated with overly large breasts may occur in the neck or shoulders, and this condition may cause inframammary fold infections.

If large, heavy breasts are limiting your mobility or causing you to experience pain in your back or shoulders while exercising or performing other daily routines, this procedure may be right for you. Breast reduction surgery is designed to relieve extra weight you may carry in your chest by reducing the size of your breasts. As an added benefit, this surgery can improve the overall shape of the breasts and their position on your chest. After your full recovery period and Dr. Goldberg’s approval, you should be able to return to your exercise program and you will likely notice the difference very quickly.

Breast Reduction Consultation

Similar to other surgical procedures, the overall success and satisfaction of your breast reduction depends, in part, on your understanding of surgery. It’s crucial to be completely open and honest about your goals, hopes, needs, and medical history during your consultation. This transparency allows Dr. Goldberg to determine the most optimal and effective procedure to achieve your desired results. During your first appointment, Dr. Goldberg will listen to your symptoms and evaluate your concerns to decide whether breast reduction is right for you. He will also review your medical history and assess your general health to determine your readiness for surgery. You will have an opportunity to ask Dr. Goldberg any questions about breast reduction, and inquire about his experience performing the procedure. He will fully explain the various steps of breast reduction along with risks, benefits, costs, and limitations so you have a full picture of surgery. You will also be shown before-and-after photos of breast reduction so you can determine whether they align with your expectations for the procedure.

Symptoms Of Large Breasts

While pain and discomfort are two of the most prominent symptoms caused by a dominant breast size, women with overly large breasts also face a range of other physical and emotional concerns, such as:

• Skin chafing and rashes
• Bra strap indentations
• Poor posture
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty finding clothes that fit properly
• Muscle strain and joint pain

These symptoms typically aren’t improved with dieting, exercise, therapy, or medications alone. Breast reduction is the only procedure specifically designed to treat the symptoms of large, heavy breasts by achieving long-term results. If you are considering breast reduction due to any of the issues listed above, we encourage you to reach out to your insurance provider—some healthcare plans can provide partial coverage for surgery if there is a well-documented history of medical problems caused by excessively large breasts.

Can I Have A Breast Lift With My Reduction?

A breast lift is technically part of most breast reduction procedures. Both of these treatment options result in a “lifting” effect once excess skin is removed and the breasts are reshaped. By reducing excess breast tissue and smoothing out the remaining skin, Dr. Goldberg can correct the breast ptosis (sagging) that is often present in overly large breasts and create results that look more youthful and “perky.” During your initial consultation, our plastic surgeon will talk with you about your goals and create a treatment plan that can not only address the discomfort you may be experiencing with excessively large breasts, but also improve their appearance with beautiful, natural-looking results.

What Can I Expect From The Procedure?

Breast reduction surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and takes approximately two to four hours to complete; however, the total length of time varies depending on each individual’s unique needs and goals. You will spend some time in a supervised recovery, but should be able to return home the day of your surgery.

This illustration depicts a typical breast reduction procedure and outcome:

Dr. Goldberg will first create an incision, often shaped like an inverted “T” or anchor. The incision circles the areola and extends down to the breast crease. Excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue are then removed from the incision site. Liposuction is performed to remove any additional excess fat, and the nipple is reshaped and elevated, also lifting the breast. Dr. Goldberg will then use stitches to close the incision and cover the area with gauze and tape.

In some cases, our plastic surgeon may decide you are a good candidate for the vertical reduction technique. In this procedure, an incision is made around the areola extending vertically down the breast, somewhat resembling a “lollipop.” If you undergo this technique, scarring may be dramatically reduced.

How Long Do Breast Reduction Results Last?

Breast reduction results are meant to last a lifetime with no additional procedures necessary to preserve your lighter, more comfortable breast size. While reshaping and reducing the breasts can undo some of the cosmetic effects of aging, the forces of time and gravity will continue to affect the breasts over the following decades. Sometimes, these changes—such as skin laxity and volume loss—can be slowed by avoiding breastfeeding, pregnancy, and smoking after your breast reduction. At any rate, most patients enjoy their new breast contours well into the future and see no need to undergo additional breast surgery.

What Will My Scars Look Like?

This will vary widely based upon the technique Dr. Goldberg selects for your breast reduction. After discussing your goals in a consultation, he can recommend either a “lollipop” or “T” technique. If he selects the vertical “lollipop” reduction technique, the potential for scarring may be significantly reduced. This is due to the incision being made around the areola and down the breast. If Dr. Goldberg utilizes another surgical approach, he will apply advanced techniques combined with his considerable experience performing this procedure to minimize the appearance of scars as much as possible.

How Much Does Breast Reduction Cost?

Dr. Goldberg customizes every treatment plan to suit the individual needs of the patient. As a result, the price of a breast reduction can vary from person to person. Some of the factors that go into determining the cost of breast reduction include the complexity of the procedure, the technique used, and how much tissue is being removed. At Dr. Goldberg’s practice the average cost of breast reduction is $13,500. This number only reflects the surgeon’s fee, and patients should be aware that the total cost will also include anesthesiology and medical facility fees, and potentially other expenses. During your initial consultation, our medical team will go over the estimated total for your program, including these additional fees. We believe this provides you with the best information you need to make a well-informed decision. If you would like to consider plastic surgery financing, we work with reputable lenders that offer appealing terms.

Will My Insurance Cover My Breast Reduction?

A breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure used to reduce the size of overly large breasts. A disproportionately large breast size can lead to a number of physical and emotional burdens, sometimes making daily tasks, such as exercise and finding clothes that fit properly, very difficult. The symptoms of large, heavy, and/or pendulous breasts often include back, neck, and shoulder pain as well as skin irritation, chafing, bra strap indentations, among other concerns. If you struggle with overly large breasts, you can turn to Dr. Neal Goldberg for personalized breast reduction procedures to achieve a more proportional breast size. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Goldberg is well-versed in attaining natural-looking results with this highly rewarding breast surgery.

Will Breast Reduction Affect Breastfeeding Ability?

Breastfeeding is a common issue for many women, and breast reduction techniques are available that can limit the risk of negatively affecting a patient’s ability to nurse at a future date. Factors like incision location, amount of tissue removed, and whether the nipple remains attached to the milk ducts will influence the end result. It’s important to remember that not all women are born with the ability to breastfeed; however, if you have successfully breastfed in the past, with the right reduction approach, you likely will be able to again. When you arrive for a consultation, talk to us about your interests and concerns, and we will go over all your options.