Breast Reduction at a Glance
- Sedation: General anesthesia
- Procedure Length: Approximately two to four hours*
- Potential Benefits: Dramatic reduction of discomfort and health problems related to breast size (e.g. back, neck, or shoulder pain, skin irritation, posture and breathing problems); a more balanced and youthful appearance; increased confidence
- Potential Risks: Bruising, swelling, soreness; (less commonly) adverse anesthesia reactions
- Cost: From $13,500
Breast reduction surgery can reduce the size of large, heavy, pendulous, and painful breasts. When performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, the procedure can relieve weight-bearing pain in the breasts, neck, shoulders, and back, allowing the patient to live more comfortably. In addition, breast reduction surgery can enhance body proportions, improve appearance, and help the patient feel more confident with their overall physique.
Dr. Alexander Ereso understands that the decision to undergo breast reduction surgery can seem harrowing. As with every procedure offered at our San Jose practice, we will exercise compassion and understanding when helping you through your breast reduction journey. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation!
Explore These Topics
- Breast Reduction Benefits
- Breast Reduction Candidates
- Breast Reduction Consultation
- Breast Reduction vs. Breast Lift
- Complementary Procedures to Breast Reduction
- Breast Reduction Preparation
- Breast Reduction Procedure
- Breast Reduction Recovery
- Breast Reduction Results
- Breast Reduction Scarring
- Breast Reduction Risks
- Non-Surgical Breast Reduction
- Breast Reduction Cost
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if you have any of the following conditions:
- Back, neck, or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
- Heavy, sagging breasts with very low nipples and areolas
- Breasts that are too large in proportion to your body frame
- Skin irritation beneath the breasts
- Indentations in your shoulders caused by tight bra straps
- Restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts
- Feelings of self-consciousness about the large size of your breasts
- One breast that is much larger than the other
Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but plastic surgeons usually recommend waiting until breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breastfeeding may affect the size and shape of your breasts; as such, if you plan to breastfeed in the future, you should discuss this with Dr. Ereso.
What Does the Breast Reduction Consultation Entail?
A personal breast reduction consultation at our practice is the first step. Dr. Ereso will assess your physical and emotional health, discuss your specific cosmetic goals for surgery, and provide a chance for you to ask questions about breast reduction.
You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide complete information about:
- Previous surgeries
- Past and present medical conditions
- Treatments you have received
- Medications that you are taking, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies
- Past experience with weight loss and pregnancies and the effect it had on your breast size
- The results of mammograms you have had
- Any history of breast cancer in your family
Breast Reduction vs. Breast Lift
Breast reduction is often confused with breast lift surgery. While the two surgeries can both produce a more youthful-looking bustline, they differ in a few important ways.
Specifically, a breast lift aims to lift the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall in order to combat breast and nipple “sag,” and is considered a solely cosmetic procedure. Meanwhile, breast reduction surgery was designed to make the breasts smaller for both aesthetic and physical purposes. As such, candidates for breast lift surgery may not be eligible for breast reduction surgery or vice versa. That said, many patients opt to combine the two treatments for a more comprehensive breast contour.
Complementary Procedures to Breast Reduction Surgery
Based on your unique anatomical needs, you may consider undergoing another procedure to complement your breast reduction results. As mentioned above, breast lift techniques are frequently incorporated into breast reduction surgery. Some women may also choose to combine breast reduction with a body contouring surgery to target problematic areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, lateral bra rolls, or buttocks. These may include tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, a lower body lift, Brazilian Butt Lift surgery (BBL), or otherwise.
When multiple breast, body, or facial enhancement treatments are combined into one, we often call it a “mommy makeover.” To learn more about this personalized option, feel free to discuss it with Dr. Ereso at your consultation.
How Should I Prepare for Breast Reduction Surgery?
As with any plastic surgery procedure, you may need to stop or adjust certain medications or supplements in the weeks leading up to breast reduction surgery. Dr. Ereso will review your medications and provide complete instructions.
Depending on your age, health, and family history, you may be asked to undergo a medical evaluation with your doctor. Sometimes Dr. Ereso will ask patients to obtain blood tests prior to breast reduction surgery. Please follow your individual instructions and reach out to our team with any questions.
How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?
Breast reduction is typically an outpatient procedure, and an overnight hospital stay is not required in most cases. The specific method chosen for your breast reduction will be determined by your anatomy, your surgeon’s preferences, and your desired results.
After the surgeon has removed the excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, the nipple and areola can be shifted to a higher position. The areola, which is usually larger than ideal, can be reduced in size. The nipples and areolas usually remain attached to the underlying breast tissue as they are moved to their higher position allowing for a greater chance of preserving nipple sensation. This method may also preserve the ability to breastfeed, although this is not guaranteed.
Skin that was formerly located above the nipple can be brought down and together to reshape the breast. Liposuction may be used to improve the contour, especially on the sides of the breasts or bra rolls.
Incision Types
The type of incision used for your breast reduction surgery may vary depending on the size and shape of your breasts, as well as the desired amount of reduction. Women who seek a smaller reduction in size may be able to achieve their desired results through periareolar incisions, which encircle the areolas; however, most surgeries are performed through lollipop-shaped incisions that extend around the areolas and vertically down the front of the breasts. Alternatively, Dr. Ereso can place anchor-shaped incisions that extend around the areolas, down the breasts, and horizontally beneath the breasts following the natural curve of the crease. The extent and pattern of the incisions are related to how much lift is needed for your nipple to be raised to the normal position on your breast mound.
Other incisional techniques may be used in some instances. Women whose breasts contain a significant amount of fatty tissue may find that liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size with only minimal scars. This is usually only feasible in older patients, as the breast is more glandular in younger patients.
What Does Recovery from Breast Reduction Involve?
Following your breast reduction surgery, swelling, bruising, and mild to moderate pain can be expected. These can generally be managed with prescribed pain medications. Make arrangements ahead of time for the day of surgery by recruiting a loved one to drive you home after your procedure and help you out at home for a few days. If you have young children or pets at home, arrange for their care to be covered for several days, as your energy and range of motion will be limited.
Moreover, plan to take at least one week off of work. If your job is physically demanding and requires long hours on your feet or heavy lifting, you will need additional recovery time. Dr. Ereso can give you a more precise timeframe for resuming work based on your specific treatment plan and the nature of your job.
What Are the Typical Results Of Breast Reduction Surgery?
The majority of Dr. Ereso’s breast reduction patients are highly satisfied with their results. Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction generally results in the quickest body-image changes. You should be rid of the physical discomfort of large breasts, your body should look more proportionate, and your clothes should fit you better.
With that being said, you’ll need time to adjust to your new image – as will your family and friends. Be patient with yourself, and with them. Keep in mind why you had this surgery, and chances are that, like most women, you’ll be pleased with the results.
Although much of the swelling and bruising should disappear in the first few weeks after breast reduction surgery, it may be six months to a year before your breasts settle into their new shape. Even then, their shape may fluctuate in response to your hormonal shifts, weight changes, and pregnancy.
Will I Have Scars After Breast Reduction?
Please be aware that while breast reduction scars are permanent, they should gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Additionally, our plastic surgeon will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible, and scars that do appear can usually be hidden easily.
Is Breast Reduction Surgery Safe?
Each year, thousands of people have breast reductions and experience no major complications; however, it is important for you to be informed of the risks as well as the benefits. Dr. Ereso will inform you of the possible complications of breast reduction surgery.
By carefully following his advice and instructions – both before and after surgery – you can minimize some of the risks. In addition to listening carefully to what he tells you, be sure to raise any questions you may have about the safety of the procedure.
“Dr. Ereso is amazing. Not only is he a skilled surgeon, he is a caring doctor as well. He spends time with you, answers any & every question and makes you feel he really cares. Everyone on the staff at the practice are friendly and helpful. Dr. Ereso and Shelley gave me their cell phone numbers when I had a skin irritation on an incision and Dr. Ereso called me as soon as he was told about it and fit me in the next day. It turned out fine, but Dr. Ereso and Shelley both did not write it off, they took it seriously and kept in contact to make sure. I felt like I was in the best hands! My incision scars are so smooth and I’m sure will be barely detectable in time. I highly recommend Dr. Ereso! If I need a plastic surgeon again I will not go anywhere else!”
Can Breast Reduction Be Achieved Through Exercise?
Many women wonder whether results similar to those of breast reduction surgery can be achieved through exercise alone. Although exercise can have numerous benefits for overall health and fitness, it cannot reduce glandular tissue, which is also present in the human breast.* Meanwhile, breast reduction surgery was designed to remove excess tissue, fat, and skin to contour the breasts. While we certainly will not discourage you from exercising, please understand that a specialized breast reduction surgery is generally more immediately effective.
How Much Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cost?
At Alexander Ereso Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, breast reduction pricing begins at $13,500. That said, the price will depend on the details of the treatment plan and whether you have additional procedures performed at the same time. Dr. Ereso’s surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fees, facility expenses, and pre- and post-operative care should also be taken into consideration.
Dr. Ereso is committed to offering quality care at a fair price. Please note that you may be eligible to finance your surgery through CareCredit®, which may make breast reduction more feasible for your budgetary requirements. Feel free to direct any financial questions to our friendly team.
To schedule your breast reduction surgery consultation, contact Alexander Ereso Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics today!
Medical Resources*
University of Pennsylvania Health System
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Cleveland Clinic
