When it comes to breasts, bigger isn't always better, especially if the size and weight of your breasts are impacting your physical and/or psychological well-being. For many, the solution is breast reduction surgery, which has one of the highest rates of satisfaction of all cosmetic surgery procedures.1
Read on to learn more about breast reduction surgery for women and men, and what it costs.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of the breasts. Not only does the procedure make the breasts smaller, but it also reshapes and lifts them so they're proportionate to each other.
Though breast reduction is often done for cosmetic purposes, people may have breast reduction surgery for medical reasons.2
Breast reduction surgery can help with several cosmetic and medical concerns, including:3
- Breasts that are disproportionate to your body frame
- Heavy, saggy breasts with nipples that point downwards
- Trouble finding tops and other clothing that fit your chest properly
- One breast that's larger than the other naturally or due to lumpectomy for breast cancer
- Poor posture due to the weight of the breasts
- Headaches, neck, back and shoulder pain from the strain of heavy breasts
- Breast pain or numbness caused by the weight or size of the breasts
- Skin irritation and rashes under the breasts
- Large male breasts (gynecomastia)
- Psychological impact of having large breasts, such as embarrassment or self-consciousness
Types of Breast Reduction
There are two types of procedures that can be used to reduce breast size: surgery and liposuction.
1. Breast reduction surgery
This procedure involves surgically removing the breast fat, glandular tissue and skin through incisions. There are two different incision patterns that can be used, depending on patient preference and the amount of breast tissue that needs to be removed. These include:1
- A keyhole incision that goes around the areola, which is the darker area that surrounds the nipple, and vertically down the breast to the crease
- An upside-down T-shaped incision that's used on patients with larger breasts or those requiring more tissue removal
The nipple is repositioned during surgery while still remaining attached to its original nerves and blood supply. If needed, skin around the perimeter of the areola is removed to make it smaller, so it's proportionate to the new, smaller breast size.2
A free nipple graft, which involves removing the areola and nipple and transplanting it in a higher position, may be included in the procedure if your breasts are very large and pendulous.2
2. Liposuction breast reduction
Liposuction is a less invasive procedure than breast reduction surgery that leaves just tiny scars. The downside to using liposuction for a breast reduction is that it can only remove fat. It also doesn't lift the breasts.
If you have sagging, stretched skin or asymmetrical breasts, breast reduction surgery may be the better option. Liposuction is best suited to people with minimal or no sagging and good skin elasticity, and whose excess breast size is mostly due to excess fatty tissue.8
Breast Reduction Surgery Cost
The average cost for breast reduction surgery in the U.S. ranges from $2,768 to $19,000.4 The average cost of liposuction is $7,263.5
The price of breast reduction surgery can vary significantly, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Surgeon's experience and reputation. A highly trained and experienced plastic surgeon often charges a higher fee. While budget is important, choosing a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience can help you get the best results and lower the risk of complications.4
- Type of breast reduction. Breast reduction surgery is more complex than liposuction for breast reduction and, as such, costs more. How much fat is being removed can also influence the cost of liposuction.5
- Complexity of your surgery. The complexity of surgery impacts how long your surgery will take. Factors that determine complexity are your breast size and extent of sagginess being corrected because more time will go into reshaping and lifting the breasts.4
Procedure Types | Low Cost | Median Cost | High Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Breast reduction surgery4 |
$2,768 |
$8,661 |
$19,000 |
Liposuction for breast reduction5 |
$3,000 |
$7,263 |
$15,900 |
If you're having another procedure done at the same time, such as nipple and/or areola reduction, or if your breast reduction is part of a mommy makeover, that will also affect the complexity and cost.
Other factors that can impact the cost of breast reduction and should be discussed with your surgeon beforehand are anesthesia fees, follow-up appointments and special garments that you may need to wear during the recovery period, such as a surgical bra.4
Is Breast Reduction Covered by Insurance?
Breast reduction may be covered by health insurance if it's considered medically necessary. The criteria for coverage may vary between insurance providers. You don't need to be a certain age to have a breast reduction,1 and your breasts don't need to be a particular size to qualify for reduction surgery.7 Insurance providers do, however, require that a certain amount of breast tissue be removed. The amount is based on body surface area.6
Your plastic surgeon may need to provide documentation to support your request, such as a letter, medical records showing what other treatments you've tried and or/photographs. If your breast reduction is covered by insurance, you will still have to pay for copays or deductibles.7
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction?
A consultation with a plastic surgeon is the best way to determine if you're a good candidate for breast reduction, and if so, which type is best suited to your body.
You may be a candidate for breast reduction if you:2
- Are healthy and don't smoke
- Are bothered by the appearance and/or feeling of your large breasts
- Have limited activities because of your breast size
- Have skin irritation under your breasts
- Have deep indentations from your bra strap
- Are having neck, back or shoulder pain due to the weight of your breasts
An important thing to keep in mind is that while breast reduction is permanent, your breasts can still change due to factors such as pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal changes throughout your lifetime, as well as weight loss and weight gain. If you're planning on having children or are embarking on a weight loss journey, your surgeon may recommend holding off on breast reduction.8
How Breast Reduction Surgery Works
Your plastic surgeon will advise you on the best technique for your breast reduction based on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed and your preferences. Once you decide on the procedure that is right for you, here's what to expect.
Preparation
Here are things you may be asked to do to prepare for breast reduction:2
- Have a medical evaluation and lab tests.
- Get a mammogram before and after your surgery.
- Take certain medications.
- Adjust or stop taking current medications.
- Stop smoking.
- Make arrangements to have someone drive you home after surgery and stay with you the first night.
Procedure
Here's a general rundown of how breast reduction surgery is done.2
- Anesthesia. Breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia or using intravenous (IV) sedation and local anesthesia to numb the area.
- Incision. The surgeon will make the incision you agreed on before the procedure. This may be a keyhole incision around the areola and down the breast, or an inverted T-shaped incision if you have a lot of tissue to remove.
- Tissue removal and repositioning. The surgeon will reposition the nipple while leaving it attached to the nerves and blood supply, unless you're having a nipple graft. Excess breast tissue under the skin is then removed and the breast is lifted and shaped.
- Closing the incisions. The surgeon will pull the remaining tissue together to shape and support your new smaller breast using sutures layered deep within the breast tissue. Sutures, surgical tape and/or adhesives are used to close the skin.
Breast reduction surgery typically takes three or four hours, but can take longer depending on the complexity of the changes needed to achieve the desired size and contour.1
For liposuction breast reduction, the procedure usually follows this structure:9
- General anesthesia is administered.
- A diluted local anesthesia (tumescent solution) is injected into the breast to reduce bleeding and pain.
- Two tiny incisions, around 6 millimeters long, are made under each breast.
- A thin, hollow tube is inserted into the incisions to suction the fat from the breast.
- The incisions may be closed with dissolvable stitches.
Breast reduction using only liposuction takes around an hour.9
Risks and Potential Complications
Breast reduction has a high patient satisfaction rate, and complications are uncommon and generally mild.10 Your surgeon should explain the risks and potential complications with you in detail before you agree to surgery.
The most common complication of breast reduction is slow wound healing, and that appears to be more common in people who are older, smokers or those having a higher volume of breast tissue removed.10
Less common risks and potential complications include:2
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Breast asymmetry or irregular shape
- Bruising and swelling
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Changes in breast or nipple sensation that may be temporary or permanent
- Changes in the shape and size of your new smaller breasts if you gain significant weight
- Fat necrosis deep under the skin
- Fluid buildup
- Infection
- Nerve, muscle or blood vessel damage
- Partial or total loss of areola or nipple
- Potential inability to breastfeed
- Possibility of needing another surgery or revision to achieve the results you want
Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery
After breast reduction, you'll go home with dressings over your breasts and possibly small drains in the incisions, depending on the type of breast reduction you had. You'll be told when to return to your surgeon's office for a follow-up and/or to have the drains removed.2
You'll be given a surgical bra to help support your breasts and minimize swelling as you heal for the first four weeks. Your surgeon may recommend wearing a wire-free sports bra for an additional two to four weeks.8
Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions so you know how to clean and care for your wounds. This usually involves keeping your incisions dry for the first few days, though you will probably be able to shower one to two days after your surgery.2
Most people take at least a week off work to recover. You should be able to return to your usual activities, including working out, in about four to six weeks.8
You will have some pain, bruising and swelling at first. You may also notice some drainage from the incision lines in the first few days. Pain usually only lasts around a week, and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Certain movements, like lifting your arms or stretching, may be uncomfortable for two or three weeks.8
Results
Swelling and inflammation can take several months to improve completely, but you should see a 50% reduction in swelling by six to eight weeks post-surgery. Breast reduction scars can take a year to fade completely.8
If you lose sensation on the breasts or nipples, it should return as your swelling goes down. For some people it can take up to two years for nerves to recover completely.8
Helpful recovery tips
Here are some helpful tips when recovering from breast reduction:
- Put down an old or dark towel or blanket on your bedding or furniture to avoid stains from any drainage.
- Sleep on your back for the first two to three weeks or use a body pillow if you're a side or stomach sleeper.
- Opt for loose, comfortable tops to avoid pressure or irritation to your breasts while healing.
- Button-down shirts and pajamas will be easier to get in and out of without having to raise your arms.
- Wait until your swelling has decreased to get fitted for new bras.
Financing Breast Reduction Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for breast reductions and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.
Author Bio
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.