Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction relieves the back pain, neck pain, and skin irritation caused by excessively large breasts. It is one of the most common procedures at Northland Plastic Surgery, and most women report immediate relief.
Why Women Choose Breast Reduction
Many women live with symptoms tied to excessively large breasts: back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and skin rashes. Breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, alleviates these symptoms and achieves a breast size more proportionate to your body.
The procedure helps women become more comfortable, more active, and generally healthier. Depending on your symptoms and goals, it can sometimes be covered by health insurance, and it is always available as a cosmetic procedure.
Real Symptom Relief
One of our most common procedures, and most women report immediate relief from pain and discomfort.
Insurance Help
Breast reduction is often covered by insurance, and we assist you in obtaining authorization before your procedure.
A More Active Life
Reducing breast size and weight helps you move comfortably again, with no long-term activity limitations.
Is Breast Reduction Right for You?
Breast reduction is ideal for women with large, heavy, pendulous breasts and realistic expectations. Common indications include:
- Back pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain
- Rashes or dermatitis in the crease beneath the breasts
- One breast noticeably larger than the other
- Indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps
- Physical activity restricted by breast size and weight
- Headaches, paresthesias, or other related symptoms
- Dissatisfaction with the size and shape of your breasts
The Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia, so you go home the same day. Surgery usually takes two to three hours, though it can run longer depending on the extent of the work.
Your surgeon makes an incision around the areola, down the breast, and in the crease underneath. Excess skin is removed, and the breast tissue is reduced, reshaped, and somewhat lifted. The incisions are closed with stitches and a surgical bra is placed over the bandages.
If drains are inserted, they are typically removed in 24 hours, and post-operative pain tends to be minimal.
Insurance Coverage
In most cases breast reduction surgery is covered by insurance. Most insurers use a set of criteria to determine medical necessity, looking at your symptoms, prior medical treatment, and the amount of tissue to be removed.
At Northland Plastic Surgery, we assist you in obtaining insurance authorization before the procedure begins.
Long-Term Considerations
Breast reduction can improve your appearance and quality of life, but it cannot achieve perfection, so realistic expectations matter.
Over the long term, regular breast cancer surveillance and exams are still required. The ability to breastfeed may or may not be affected. There are no long-term activity limitations.
Breast Reduction Recovery
Recovery is different for every woman, but most feel well enough to return to work within a week or two.
Two weeks of wound care are required after surgery, with somewhat limited activity during that time.
After two weeks, most women ease back into normal activities.
Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks.
Scars are visible after surgery but fade over time.
“I was nervous and a little unsure how much of a difference it would actually make. Now I can say that on an everyday basis I feel the tremendous results. I can do more physically and my shoulders no longer ache. The unexpected bonus is that I feel more feminine again.”
Christine · Breast Reduction Patient
Christine sought our help for back and shoulder discomfort along with headaches. After a careful consultation and thorough education process, she chose breast reduction surgery. Her recovery was smooth, and her pre-operative symptoms have dramatically improved.