Many women struggle with overly large, disproportionate breasts that cause physical discomfort and emotional distress. Breast reduction surgery helps women resolve issues like back and neck pain, skin irritation, and lack of self-confidence due to cumbersome breasts.
What Is Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to reduce the size of overly large breasts and lift sagging breasts. During the procedure, the breast is lifted and excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin are removed to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and perkier.
The goal is to improve body proportions by giving you a better-proportioned figure, smaller breasts, and a lifted breast mound. It can also help alleviate chronic pain and other symptoms caused by overly large or heavy breasts.
Breast surgery may also be performed for aesthetic reasons, and the exact surgical plan will largely depend on your individual anatomy and aesthetic goals; you will discuss all of your options during your surgical consultation visit.
Breast reduction along with breast augmentation consistently ranks among the highest in patient satisfaction among plastic surgery procedures. Please call our office to schedule your free consultation and discuss whether it would be a good option for you.
Benefits of Breast reduction Surgery
A beast reduction operation may be pursued for cosmetic reasons, such as:
- Achieving a more proportionate figure
- Improving the fit of clothing
- Addressing breast asymmetry or uneven breast shape
- Reducing self-conciousness about large breast size
- Addressing breast droopiness
However, many patients undergo breast reduction surgery for medical reasons and many insurance plans will occasionally provide coverage in such cases. Common medical symptoms that may be improved include:
- Bra strap grooving on the shoulders
- Rashes underneath the breasts
- Neck and shoulder pain from the weight of large breasts
- Difficulty with physical activity or work
Overall, breast reduction procedures have among the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any plastic surgery procedure. It’s one of the most effective techniques for addressing breast asymmetry.
During your surgery, Dr. Kachniarz can address asymmetries in both the size and shape of the breasts by removing variable amounts of skin and excess breast tissue.
Am I a Good Candidate for breast reduction surgery, miami?
You may be a good candidate for a breast reduction operation if you are bothered by the large size and weight of your breasts. If you feel self-conscious about your breast size, a reduction procedure can return proportion and harmony to your physique.
Good candidates for breast reduction are physically healthy, have realistic expectations about the surgery’s outcome, and can stop smoking for weeks before and after the procedure. During your initial surgical consultation, Dr. Kachniarz will discuss whether breast reduction is the best option for you.
Ideal candidates may also have some of the medical symptoms such as rashes under the breasts and grooving of the bra straps mentioned earlier. If you have difficulties with physical activity or maintaining proper posture, you may also benefit from the procedure.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and patients should be in general good health and not smoke. Any active medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should be well-controlled before undergoing major surgery.
Most patients will be asked to see their primary care doctor for a preoperative visit and blood test; patients over the age of 40 should also be up-to-date on their breast cancer screening imaging.
Your safety is our highest priority and our experienced team at Dr K Miami Plastic Surgery will discuss all preoperative considerations during your clinic visit.
You may not be a suitable candidate if you:
- smoke or use nicotine products
- have breastfed within the past 6 months
- tend to form keloid or hypertrophic scars
In addition, you should keep in mind that certain medical conditions may place you at undue risk from the procedure and should be discussed in detail with Dr. Kachniarz.
Clotting disorders, for example, may increase the risk of bleeding after surgery; poorly controlled diabetes greatly increases the risk of poor healing. During your consultation visit, Dr. Kachniarz will review your medical history and discuss whether breast surgery is the best option for you.
Finally, if you plan on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding in the future, you should discuss your situation with Dr. Kachniarz.
Although not an absolute contraindication, pregnancy and breastfeeding do obviously involve significant changes in the breasts, and may lead to recurrent sagging.
This may be corrected with a breast lift (“mastopexy”) procedure in the future. In addition, breast reduction can impact some women’s ability to breastfeed. If you may breastfeed in the future, Dr. Kachniarz can employ specific surgical techniques to optimize your chances of success.
What Happens During the Surgery?
A breast reduction operation is typically an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia at an accredited ambulatory surgery center.
Prior to your procedure, you will meet with Dr. Kachniarz, who will review the procedure details with you one more time; you will also meet your anesthesiologist and nursing team.
Surgery typically takes two to four hours.
During surgery, Dr. Kachniarz will artfully remove excess skin, breast fat, and glandular tissue, and reposition the breast higher on your chest. The goal is to create a youthful, natural breast shape that is symmetric and smaller in size.
How to Prepare for Your Breast Reduction Surgery, Miami
Proper preparation is key to a successful breast reduction operation. In the weeks leading up to your procedure:
- Stop taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin, as these can increase bleeding risk.
- If you smoke, you must quit. Smoking hinders healing and raises complication risks significantly.
On surgery day:
- Follow your doctor’s fasting instructions carefully.
- Take only pre-approved medications with a small water sip.
- Wear front-buttoning or zip-up clothing for easy changing.
- Arrive punctually at our accredited surgery center.
Types of Procedures in miami breast reduction surgery
The two most common types of breast reduction operation techniques are:
- Vertical breast reduction (“Lollipop” reduction)
- Wise-pattern reduction (“Anchor” reduction)
The two techniques refer to the pattern of skin incisions used during the cosmetic procedure, and each has its pros and cons.
Both are similar in that incisions are placed around the areola (dark area around the nipple) and vertically from the areola to the fold. The “Wise-pattern” technique additionally uses an incision along the fold of the breast.
1. Vertical or “Lollipop” Technique
A vertical (“Lollipop”) reduction tends to be a better option for patients with less sagging or who require a more modest reduction.
Because there is no incision along the inframammary fold, there may be some degree of skin bunching along the bottom of the vertical incision; this tends to resolve over time, or may be addressed with a simple procedure.
The vertical technique does tend to have a lower risk of wound healing complications, and is thought to result in less droopiness long-term.
2. Wise-Pattern or “Anchor” Technique
A Wise-pattern (“Anchor”) reduction is a powerful technique to correct greater degrees of droopiness, remove more tissue, or address more pronounced breast asymmetry.
The horizontal incision along the inframammary fold offers smooth and natural redraping of the skin. One potential downside is higher rates of wound healing issues along the triple point of the “anchor” pattern. These generally resolve uneventfully with basic dressing changes.
“Pedicle” Design
This process generally entails the creation of a breast tissue “pedicle” that will carry sensation and blood supply to the nipple, once all incisions are created, excess breast tissue and fat is removed.
Dr. Kachniarz utilizes various “pedicle” designs depending on your individual anatomy, aesthetic goals, plans for future breastfeeding, and other factors. The most common techniques include:
- inferior pedicle
- superomedial pedicle
- central pedicle
Once all excess tissue around the “pedicle” is removed, the breast is lifted and skin redraped. Dr. Kachniarz will then sit you up in the operating room to assess for any asymmetry, and make adjustments if needed.
All incisions are closed with absorbable sutures; there may occasionally be non-dissolvable stitches around the areola that are removed during your first postoperative clinic visit.
Besides surgical techniques, there’s liposuction breast reduction.
For some women, liposuction can remove excess fat in a less invasive manner. However, it can’t remove breast tissue and isn’t always an alternative to surgical breast reduction.
Following the outpatient procedure, you will be placed in a special surgical garment, and will not have any drains. You will recover from anesthesia and go home the same day.
Dr. Kachniarz will call you the evening of your procedure to check in and answer any questions.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
After a breast reduction procedure, it is normal to experience some soreness or tenderness in your chest area as well as swelling, bruising, and redness.
These effects should subside over the course of two weeks. All incisions are generally fully healed after 6 weeks.
You will be asked to wear a special surgical garment after your procedure to help reduce bruising and swelling, and provide support to the healing breasts. You will be able to shower two days after your surgery, and will be asked to keep all incisions clean during the healing process.
Dr. Kachniarz and his experienced team will discuss specific techniques to optimize healing and minimize scar formation. These may include taping, silicone gel, massage, and supplements, such as bromelain and arnica.
What Are the Risks?
Breast reduction surgery is a very popular and safe procedure, and has among the highest satisfaction rates. That said, any procedure carries risks, which you will discuss during your consultation.
The most common risk is delayed wound healing, particularly along the triple point of the “anchor” pattern. Some patients may also develop a reaction to the dissolvable stitches.
Although a nuisance, these generally resolve uneventfully with routine dressing changes and wound care.
Other, less common complications include:
- bleeding or fluid collection
- infection
- scar formation
- asymmetry of the breasts
- changes in nipple sensation/sensitivity
- inability to breastfeed
- necrosis of nipple/areola tissue
It is important to note that the risks, particularly wound healing complications and nipple necrosis, do increase with revision surgery.
This is because prior procedures and resultant scarring often impact the native blood supply of the breast tissues and nipple area. Although rare, Dr. Kachniarz will discuss all of the risks of the procedure during your consultation.
How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost in Miami?
The average cost of a breast reduction in Miami ranges from $3,000–$6,000.
The final cost can vary greatly depending on the extent of breast reduction and lift required. We offer various financing options through CareCredit, Alphaeon, and PatientFi.
In some cases, insurance may cover all or part of the expense.
Most plans have strict qualification criteria for surgery coverage, which you can learn by calling your insurance company. Dr. Kachniarz does not currently participate with any insurance plans, but we will gladly provide any information needed to file a claim.
When assessing the full cost of plastic surgery, be sure to consider all associated costs, such as anesthesia, facility fees, plastic surgeons’ fees, and surgical garments.
All price quotes are all-inclusive, meaning they cover all of the aforementioned components. We also offer financing options through CareCredit, Alphaeon, and PatientFi.
Long-Term Results of the breast reduction Procedure
Breast surgery has very high patient satisfaction rates, with long-lasting physical and psychological benefits.
Patients report improved self-confidence, and reduced symptoms like shoulder pain and rashes. The decreased weight of the breasts can have a profound impact on your ability to engage in sports and exercise, carrying with it a whole array of health benefits.
However, the effects of aging and gravity can lead to some recurrent sagging or enlargement over time, potentially requiring a future breast lift or revision reduction procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Scars Look Like?
The incision pattern depends on the surgical technique used but typically includes incisions around the areola, vertically down, and sometimes along the breast crease for an anchor shape. Visible scars are inevitable but can fade over time.
How Long Is Recovery?
Most patients can return to work within a few days, and significant swelling and bruising subside within 2 weeks.
Incisions are generally fully healed by 6 weeks.
When can I wear a normal bra?
After breast reduction surgery, wear a compression or support bra for weeks. It takes months before wearing a regular bra. Clear it with your doctor first.
Is breast reduction surgery painful?
No. You’ll be asleep during the cosmetic surgery. Afterward, expect some discomfort, but pain medication helps.
Will I Have Drains After a Breast Reduction?
No, with very few exceptions, we generally do not use drains during breast reduction or breast lift procedures.
Does Insurance Cover Breast Surgery?
Many health insurance plans may cover a breast reduction if you meet specific coverage requirements, which often includes documented symptoms (such as rashes, infections, bra strap grooving) and minimum breast tissue removal requirements.
Dr. Kachniarz does not currently participate with any insurance carrier, but will be happy to provide any information to help file a claim.
References
[1] Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-reduction-surgery/about/pac-20385246
[2] Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/cosmetic-services/cosmetic-procedures/breast-services/breast-reduction/frequently-asked-questions-about-breast-reduction
[3] Mount Sinai. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/surgery/breast-reduction
[4] American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction/procedure