Many thousands of women have improved their body contour, diminished pain in their neck and back, and are more comfortable engaging in physical activities due to having had  breast reduction surgery. Most insurance companies will pay part or all of the costs of this surgery if it is performed as a result of back or neck pain problems related to very large breasts.

One of several techniques may be used to perform this breast reduction surgery. The most common is an old fashioned key hole pattern skin reduction. This technique involves incisions made around the nipple area.Then excess fat and breast tissue are removed from the depths  of the breast. Following this, the nipple, areola and tissue below them are elevated but not usually detached. Small sutures are used to close the incisions.

Liposuction may also be used for small breast reductions in cases where there's little sagging or to remove fat at the sides of the breast. This procedure is becoming more popular because the tiny incisions greatly reduce scarring. Men with enlarged breasts can also benefit from this technique.

Breast reduction (or reduction mammaplasty) is an enhancement procedure that reshapes the breasts in order to make them smaller, lighter, and firmer.  Reduction is accomplished by removing excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin.  Large breasts can cause physical pain as well as emotional and social anxiety.  Women who take advantage of the breast reduction procedure find that they are able to lead a healthier, more comfortable life, in addition to enjoying a beautiful, more proportionate appearance.

Reasons for Considering a Breast Reduction:

• Back, neck or shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts.
• Sagging breasts produced by their large size.
• Disproportionate body frame attributed to oversized breasts.
• Restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of the breasts.
• Painful bra strap marks and/or rashes as a result of large breasts.

General Procedure

Techniques for breast reduction vary; however, the most common procedure involves an incision that circles the areola.  From the areola, the incision goes down and follows the natural curve under the breast.  The surgeon then removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin.  Next, the nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher position and held in place by stitches.  Occasionally, liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size.  The best procedure can be determined during the initial consultation visit.

Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results in the quickest body-image changes.  Patients are pleased with the elimination of physical pain caused by large breasts as well as a better proportioned body, an enhanced appearance, and better fitting clothes.

Recovery Process

Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time.  Sports bras are applied immediately following surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts.  The specialized surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks.  Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery.  Any pain can be treated with oral medication.  While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the instructions given before the surgery to every patient by Dr.Sacks.

Complications 

• Swelling is temporary and is alleviated by using ice packs
• Bruising may be present and will usually dissapear after a few weeks
• Pain is generally modest and in fact some women report immediate relief of the heavy dragging feeling that they have experienced from heavy breasts for years. Pain will be alleviated by pain medication prescribed by Dr. Sacks
• Numbness may be present in the nipple/areola area or in the skin of the breast itself. This is usually temporary but may take months to return to normal. Occasionally the sensation in the breast may be enhanced by the procedure.
• Infection is extremely rare as the patient will have started on antibiotics the day prior to the surgery and for about a week after surgery.
• Scarring can vary a great deal from patient to patient, is usually better in lighter skinned individuals but improves in most people with time. Keloids are thickened raised scars that may occur in darker skinned patients. They may be helped with varios methods.
• Asymmetry may be slight after surgery but is usually much more obvious before surgery. Every effort is made to make the breasts as even and alike as possible.

Prices

The prices for breast reduction may vary with the type of anesthesia chosen.

The prices ranges between $5000 to $6500 as of March 2010