Be a More Comfortable & Confident You with Breast Reduction Surgery

Overview

It’s time to say goodbye to slouched shoulders, industrial-looking bras, and strained shirt buttons. Women who undergo breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammaplasty, are often the most satisfied patients in our practice. Using the most advanced techniques, our expert physicians help relieve the discomfort of oversized breasts while also creating a more balanced body image. Breast reduction benefits include improved quality of life, decreased headaches, neck and shoulder pain — and perhaps more importantly — increased self-esteem and body confidence.

Summary

Procedure time

2 to 5 hours

Not typically

1 to 2 nights

Anesthetic

General

Recovery time

Return to normal activity within 2-3 weeks

Types of Breast Reduction

Inferior Pedicle Technique

One of the most common breast reduction procedures, the inferior ("lower") pedicle breast reduction technique, involves three surgical cuts. Nipple size is reduced, and excess skin, fat, and breast tissue are removed. The nipple is then moved upward into a keyhole-shaped incision, and excess skin is removed at the bottom of the breast. Recommended for large, low-hanging breasts and those hoping to maintain breastfeeding ability and nipple sensation. This technique is sometimes referred to as an "anchor" based on the shape of the incisions and surgical scars.

Young woman in beige compression bra bandage

Superior Pedicle Technique

The superior ("upper") pedicle breast reduction technique is recommended for those with minor to moderately enlarged breasts. During this procedure skin and tissue are kept intact above the nipple to preserve the blood supply in that area. A circular-shaped incision is made around the nipple and a vertical incision below forming “keyhole” where skin, fat, and breast tissue can be removed. The breast is then reshaped, and the nipple is relocated higher on the breast, where skin and blood flow have been preserved.

woman wrapped in elastic bandage after breast surgery

Liposuction-Only Breast Reduction

Liposuction-only breast reduction is a fat-removal procedure (through suction) that significantly reduces breast size and weight without the recovery time and surgical scarring associated with traditional surgery. Natural breast shape does not change during this procedure. However, decreased weight in the breasts improves tissue elasticity, often resulting in a visibly lifted, more youthful appearance.

Free Nipple Graft

In some cases where an unusually large amount of breast tissue or skin needs to be removed the best approach is a complete, circular cut around the nipple. This technique avoids severe scarring and irregular breast shape following extensive skin and breast tissue or fat removal. The nipple, its fully detached, and once the breast is reshaped, the nipple is repositioned higher on the breast. Because there is no blood supply or nerve connection, the free nipple graft technique is not recommended for anyone hoping to breastfeed or women who want to maintain nipple sensation during intimacy.

woman with red measuring tape around chest

Short Scar Breast Reduction

Recognized for its reduced scarring and improved long-term appearance, a short scar breast reduction is sometimes called a "lollipop incision" because it involves a circle-shaped incision around the nipple and a straight vertical cut below the nipple down to the crease at the bottom of your breast. The breast is lifted and reshaped, and the nipple is moved up to create balance and symmetry. This technique is recommended for women with moderately large breasts.

Am I a

Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?

Do you live with chronic headaches, neck, shoulder, or back pain and the emotional weight of large breasts? The shame and self-consciousness caused by breasts that are out of proportion to your body can impact your social life, physical activity, relationships, and self-confidence. If you are a non-smoker in general good health living with any of these symptoms, then you are likely a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.

Consultation

Breast reduction surgical consultations are available at all Plastice Surgery Center locations. The best surgical approach for you will depend on a variety of personal and health-related factors. With this in mind, our surgeons will review your medical history and discuss your ideal surgical outcomes to make personalized surgical recommendations. Using computer-assisted photography, they can also provide sample imagery of your potential surgical results.

What to Expect

Our expert surgeons will recommend the breast reduction procedure best for your surgical goals, your health history, and the amount of skin, tissue, and fat to be removed. The least invasive approach is liposuction-only. There are also several other surgical options for carefully cutting around the nipple, reshaping and lifting the breast, and then replacing the nipple at the ideal location on the newly formed breast.

During breast reduction surgery, one of the following incisions will likely be used. The circular areola method involves a cut around the dark patch of skin surrounding the nipple (areola). A keyhole incision opens up a semi-circle above the areola and two vertical cuts, creating a "keyhole-shaped" opening through which the nipple can stay connected to blood supply and nerves.

In this case, the nipple is moved up into the keyhole after excess tissue, skin and fat are removed. Finally, an "anchor cut" combines a verticle cut below the nipple and a lateral cut along the bottom of the breast, resulting in incisions and scars shaped like an anchor.

Once the incisions are made, the surgeon will carefully reshape the breast tissue and remove any excess skin. Typically, our surgeons close incisions with buried, dissolvable stitches, a technique that reduces visible scars and increases patient comfort.

Depending on the surgical technique, small drain tubes may be placed on each breast to allow excess fluid that builds up where breast tissue was removed during surgery.

Recovery &
Results

Each person's recovery from breast reduction will vary based on the extent of skin and tissue involved and your healing process. A sterile bandage is placed over the incisions following surgery. Your breasts will be wrapped in a supportive bandage or surgical bra. Typically, you can expect to go home within a few hours.

Recovery and discharge instructions depend on the nature of your surgery, but you should plan to have a family member or friend drive you home. Pain and swelling can be managed with medication and ice in the first few days after surgery.

Some patients will go home with small tubes to drain blood and fluid that collect at the surgical site. Care instructions will be included in your discharge paperwork, and drain tubes will be removed in the office during your post-operative visit.

Most patients can resume regular activity within 2-3 weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for up to 6 weeks. In most cases, the long-term results of breast reduction will be seen in three to six months. However, it can take up to a full year or longer to experience complete healing.

Envision What’s Possible.

Explore photos of real patients with real, life-changing outcomes.

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Best

Breast Reduction Surgeons in NJ

Our board-certified plastic surgeons combine the most advanced surgical techniques and decades of experience to ensure safety and satisfaction for each patient. Through rigorous training and exceptional attention to detail, we pride ourselves in providing world-class care and surgical outcomes that will exceed your expectations.

PHYSICIAN

Ritwik Grover

PHYSICIAN

Tzvi Small

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Sidney Rabinowitz

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Stephen Dudick

PHYSICIAN

Chris Lakhiani

Financing & Insurance

Insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery can vary depending on the individual policy and the specific circumstances of the patient. In general, insurance companies will cover breast reduction surgery if it is deemed medically necessary. We will work with you and your health insurer to obtain the approvals for your covered surgical procedures. If you are interested in learning more about our cosmetic options, please contact us today at 833-615-2621.

Learn More

Our Process

Schedule a Consultation

During your consultation, our expert surgeons will listen and work with you to fully understand the look you wish to achieve.

Explore
Your Options

We will review and explain all of your cosmetic options and identify which procedure is right for you.

Start Your Transformation

Our friendly and compassionate staff and physicians will guide you through the entire process, answer all of your questions and alleviate any concerns.