What is a Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is performed to reduce the size of the breasts and reshape them so that they are proportionate and balanced with the rest of the body. Women with disproportionately large breasts can experience physical discomfort caused by the weight of their breasts. They can also suffer from emotional distress or mental health problems from their large breasts. A breast reduction can help with these issues, resulting in a better quality of life.

Beautifully You

Who is a good candidate for Breast Reduction?

Women who have overly large breasts that caused health or emotional issues may be able to benefit from a breast reduction procedure. Ideal candidates will be overall healthy, non-smokers who have realistic expectations for the outcome of their surgery. A consultation with one of our plastic surgeons is necessary to determine if this procedure is right for you.

Before + After

Patient Results

A breast reduction may be right for you if you are looking to reduce your breast size, improve symmetry or help reduct upper body discomfort from the strain of overly large breasts. Our board-certified plastic surgeons are highly experienced in breast reduction surgery and look forward to meeting you to discuss your concerns.

 

BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY

Patient Reviews

Dr. Mahabir did an excellent job on my breast reduction and lift as the cosmetic part of a lumpectomy. He was professional and compassionate throughout, working with my breast surgeon to get a beautiful result.…
- KP
I revived a breast reduction from Dr. Kurtovic about 2 months ago! I am healing perfectly and am so happy with my results. The staff was incredibly kind and took such great care of me…
- NM
I had a wonderful experience with Tucson Plastic Surgery. The staff, doctors and nurses were amazing. I love Dr. Mahabir's natural approach and whole body care when I went through a breast reduction and lift.…
- ET

Tucson Plastic Surgery

BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE

There are multiple types of incisions for a breast reduction. Your plastic surgeon will review the incision that is best for you based on your aesthetic goals.

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Breast Reduction Incisions

There are also a number of incisions that your plastic surgeon can use during the breast reduction procedure. Please read through our options.

The Periareolar Incision

This incision is created around the outer edge of the areola.

The Lollipop Incision

Is created around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. This technique is often used for patients with a moderate degree of sagging.

The Anchor Incision 

This incision is created around the areola and vertically down the breast crease, with an additional incision along the breast crease. This option is often used for breasts with a significant amount of sagging.

Through the incision, excess breast skin and fat will be removed. If the breasts are asymmetrical, more tissue may be removed from one breast than the other to even them out. The remaining skin and fat will then be reshaped to create a more youthful breast shape. Sutures will be layered deep within the breast tissue to support the newly shaped breasts.

Recovery Process

BREAST REDUCTION RECOVERY

4-6 weeks

Following breast reduction surgery, bruising, swelling, and discomfort may occur but will dissipate over time. Extensive exercise or physical activity should be avoided for 4-6 weeks. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions regarding how to care for your surgical site during recovery, how to properly take any medications that are prescribed to you, and when to follow up to check on your recovery progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can breast grow back after reduction?

A breast reduction permanently removes any excess breast tissue and fat that may be contributing to the large size of the breasts. With that being said, factors like future weight gain or hormonal changes can increase the size of the breasts after surgery.

Can you drink alcohol after breast reduction?

Dr. Mahabir will likely instruct patients to not consume alcohol for up to 5 days after surgery to prevent the risk of excessive bleeding.

Do you lose feeling in your nipples after breast reduction?

In a breast reduction surgery, an incision is made around the nipple areola complex, and this can cause temporary numbness or reduction in sensation after surgery. Over time, most patients develop a return of normal nipple sensation, and it is rarely permanent.

Do you lose weight after breast reduction?

Many women who see us interested in breast reduction surgery, often report difficulty with exercising and being comfortable in a sports bra. The surgery itself removes a significant amount breast tissue which can reduce a patient’s weight by a couple of pounds. What happens in the months after surgery, is often much more dramatic. As patients experience more ease and freedom in their upper body, they can finally participate in physical activities they were avoiding due to the discomfort of their large breasts, and this can result in a permanent long term weight loss.

Does breast size affect weight?

No, its the other way around. When you gain weight, you do so proportionally throughout the body, including the breasts. With breast reduction, only up to a few pounds of tissue are removed depending on the procedure and patients needs.

Does insurance pay for breast reduction?

Health insurance may cover breast reduction surgery when a woman with excessively large breasts is shown to have developed negative health effects and no improvement after a course of medical therapy which usually includes physical therapy and weight loss.

Does weight gain increase breast size?

Yes, if you have a breast reduction but then gain weight, your breasts will also grow in proportion to the rest of your body. Every patient is different, however, as some women gain weight in other areas excluding their breasts after surgery and they can preserve their results.

Has anyone had a second breast reduction?

It is not common for patients to require a second breast reduction surgery. However, patients who have had breast reduction surgery when they were very young or patients who undergo significant weight or body changes after surgery, may find they are considering a second surgery if they are no longer happy with their results.

How can I reduce my cup size?

If youre looking for a dramatic way to cut down on cup size, surgical breast reduction is likely your best option.

How dangerous is breast reduction surgery?

When performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon like Drs. Kurtovic and Mahabir at Tucson Plastic Surgery, breast reduction surgery is safe and effective.

How do breast reductions work?

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure which reduces the volume of breast tissue and skin. There are different types of patterns for a breast reduction, most commonly, a wise-pattern or anchor type incision is used to remove an appropriate amount of tissue. With every breast reduction, the breast is also lifted and nipple areola complex rotated into a higher position.

How do I know if I need a breast reduction?

A breast reduction is a personal choice, and nobody but yourself can tell you that you need one. Common reasons women seek out breast reduction are neck pain, back pain, pain from bra straps, and poor self-esteem. These are all concerns related to overly large breasts.

How do you know when you need a breast reduction?

You may need breast reduction if you have large breasts that are causing you chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain, have a negative body image due to your breast size, or are having trouble fitting in clothing

How long do stitches stay in after breast reduction?

Stitches are dissolvable and placed in the deep tissue and skin, thus do not need to be removed. They will dissolve on their own in 4-6 weeks.

How long does it take for swelling to go down after breast reduction?

Swelling will vary between patients and can depend on the individual as well as their adherence to their aftercare instructions. Generally swelling will subside within four to eight weeks.

How long does it take to recover from a breast reduction?

Recovery timelines after a breast reduction can vary from person to person and can be influenced by your overall health, your body’s natural healing process, and how well you adhere to any post-op instructions. On average, it can take 4-6 weeks to fully recover from a breast reduction.

How much do breast reductions cost?

On average, breast reductions cost anywhere between $8,000 and $12,000 depending on the amount of surgery needed and if liposuction is performed at the same time.

Is it OK to wear a sports bra after breast reduction?

Ideally, you should be wearing the compression garment you’re given post-reduction for a few weeks to ensure proper healing. However, you can safely wear a sports bra after 2 months or sooner if cleared by your surgeon.

What happens after breast reduction?

After a breast reduction, you will be sent home to begin your recovery. You may experience some soreness and tenderness in the first few days, but this will gradually fade. You will need to abstain from any strenuous exercise or lifting for 4-6 weeks after your recovery. You can slowly begin to resume normal activities after 4 weeks.

When can I wear a normal bra after breast reduction?

During your initial recovery, you will need to wear a surgical compression bra to help support the tissue of your breasts. You should wait at least three months before you resume wearing an underwire bra. Around this time, any residual swelling will have completely gone down.

Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?

Most patients find they can breast feed after a breast reduction surgery like those women who have not undergone the procedure. However, since there is a smaller amount of breast tissue after a reduction, patients may not produce the same amount of breast milk as they would prior to having breast reduction surgery.

Is my nipple removed in a breast reduction?

In a breast reduction, the areola is made smaller, and nipple-areola complex lifted to a more youthful and elevated position. The nipple-areola complex remains attached to the underlying breast tissue and is not typically removed. In rare clinical scenarios, where a patient has severe breast enlargement and a very low nipple position, the nipple-areola complex may need to be removed as a free graft.

How do you shower after breast reduction surgery?

You shouldnt shower for the first 48 hours after surgery. After that, you can take a full shower being careful not to lift her arms over your head. Dont aim the shower spray directly at your breasts, instead allow water to run indirectly over your surgical incisions.

Silvia Kurtovic, MD & Raman Mahabir, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

At Tucson Plastic Surgery, we have a patient-centric approach that sets us apart from the rest. We take the time to really get to know you and your aesthetic goals during one-on-one conversations which help us to fully understand your motivations.

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