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Home/Cosmetic Surgery/Breast/Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)

Who Might Consider Breast Reduction?

Overly large breasts may not seem like a problem to some people, but if you have them they can cause back pain, discomfort and self-consciousness, and skin irritation underneath. They can also make it difficult to exercise. Some girls develop very large breasts in adolescence, and if they are causing symptoms, as a pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Yee offers breast reductions to select young women.

For other women, large breasts can grow with pregnancy, along with the effects of gravity making the breast tissue hang lower and cause problems with posture and pain, along with rashes. At a certain size, breast reductions are covered by insurance, and typically several symptoms need to be documented to obtain insurance coverage, as well as an estimate of how much weight can be removed, which we discuss during your consultation.

How Does Reducing Breast Tissue Help?

Removing the pendulous extra tissue can help by decreasing the weight on your back and shoulders. The reshaped breast tissue that remains after the reduction, sits higher on the chest so there isn’t as much skin-to-skin contact to cause irritation or rashes.

How is a Breast Reduction Performed?

The scars are usually concealed under a swimsuit or bra; typically, they include one around the nipple, another extending down vertically toward the crease under the breast and another crease under the breast (“anchor incision”). These allow the breast to be reshaped so your nipple-areola area becomes smaller (it’s usually stretched out along with the rest of the breast tissue) and is lifted to the center of the new breast.

Recovering from Breast Reduction

You may stay in the hospital overnight, based on what your insurance allows. Dr. Yee typically leaves drains in for one night. We recommend you have someone stay with you the night after surgery, as the anesthetic wears off; you might be drowsy and need help getting up. You may return to work in 1-2 weeks with some limitations on physical activity. You should not do any lifting over 10 pounds for 3 weeks, or any high impact aerobic workouts or increasing your heart rate above 100 beats per minute for 3 weeks. Walking is fine.

To discuss options for breast reduction, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Yee.