Breast Reduction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY

Breast Reduction NYC

A breast reduction is a procedure that reduces breast size and lifts the nipple and areola to a more aesthetically pleasing position, often reducing the size of the areola as well, and tightens the skin envelope around the reduced volume.

Patients with very large breasts may suffer from back pain, neck pain, or bra strap grooving and could benefit from breast reduction surgery by Dr. Wallach in Manhattan New York.

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Before and After Photos

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Breast Reduction Before & After Patient #250
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Breast Reduction Before & After Patient #264
Breast Reduction Before & After Patient #264
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About

Breast reduction surgeries can remove excess breast tissue as well as lift breasts to provide better size and shape while also alleviating the symptoms of breast hypertrophy. Dr. Wallach performs breast reduction mammoplasty using a limited incision technique to provide minimal scarring as a result of breast reduction procedures.

There are two common skin design patterns for breast reduction. The one chosen for your specific surgery is based on the amount of skin that needs to be removed, the distance the nipple areola complex (NAC) needs to be lifted to place it in an aesthetically pleasing position, and the amount of breast tissue that needs to be removed or repositioned.

Candidates

Breast reduction surgery patients are typically women who have overly large breasts that desire smaller breasts, whether for cosmetic purposes or due to side effects. They often have complaints of neck and back pain and bra strap grooving, which can lead to skin irritation. Some are simply self-conscious about having enlarged breasts and want a permanent solution.

Cost

The fee for a breast reduction will vary from surgeon to surgeon. They can cost anywhere from $12000-30,000. The best way to find out how much your breast reduction surgery will be is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wallach in New York, NY.

Consultation

During the consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Wallach, you will spend a lot of time reviewing your surgical goals. An exam will then be performed, measurements taken, and a surgical plan will be discussed with you at length.

You are free to ask Dr. Wallach any questions you have about the procedure or his practice during your consultation. Key topics to discuss include options for the reduction you desire, as well as your desired result. You might want to review the various techniques as well and ask which technique Dr. Wallach feels will give you the best breast reduction results with the least amount of scarring.

Risks

The main risks of breast reduction surgery are unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, infection, bleeding, nipple loss, skin loss, fat necrosis, fluid collections, dysesthesias, and need for revisions.

Preparation

Breast reduction patients should be at a stable weight and eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly. Dr. Wallach also wants patients to avoid any medications or supplements that may cause excessive bleeding.

Procedure

The breast reduction procedure usually includes raising the nipple areola complex, perhaps making the areola smaller, molding the breast tissue, and reducing the volume. Various skin excision patterns may be used based on the extent of sagging and laxity.

Recovery

In general, breast reduction surgery takes between two and four hours to complete with a recuperation time of one to two weeks. Often patients will have a drain in the breasts that is commonly removed a few days to a week after surgery. Patients wear a support bra without an under-wire or a sports type bra for about three to six weeks before they can go back into an under-wire bra.

Breast Reduction Skin Excision Patterns

Wise Pattern Breast Reduction

The Wise pattern places incisions along the inframammary fold of the breast (the breast crease), a vertical incision from the fold up to the areola border, and an incision around the border of the areola. The resulting incision looks like an inverted “T” or an anchor after final closure. This pattern is usually employed for patients with very large breasts but can be used for almost any reduction volume.

In addition, this technique is commonly used when a patient has poor skin quality and the breast is very loose, or when the nipple has to be raised a significant amount in order for the breast to have a youthful appearance.

Vertical Breast Reduction

breast reduction techniques new york city

The vertical breast reduction is similar to the Wise excision pattern procedure but eliminates the inframammary incision. Dr. Wallach will commonly employ a vertical breast reduction technique that minimizes the amount of scarring on the breast using a “lollipop” pattern that uses a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision down the lower breast. This technique is often used for smaller breast reductions when the patient’s skin quality is good, and the nipple does not have to be raised a long distance.

Horizontal incision technique

This is a technique that employs an incision at the breast crease and around the areola. There is no vertical incision from the areola border like used in the Wise or vertical pattern. This procedure is performed using an inferior pedicle technique and can be used for larger breast reductions and long pedicle lengths. A disadvantage of this technique is that the breast can look a bit “boxy” when fully recovered.

Wise Pattern Breast Reduction Techniques

There are numerous named reduction techniques employing the Wise skin pattern excision based upon the orientation of the blood supply feeding the pedicle to the nipple areola complex (NAC).

Inferior Pedicle

The inferior pedicle technique is probably the most popular one used today  because it is considered the most versatile. Some studies suggest that patients undergoing this technique have the best post-surgical sensation of the NAC and also have the best chance to adequately breast feed.

Superior Pedicle 

Is a reasonable approach for patients who only need the NAC moved a short distance.  It is good for smaller reductions than what can be achieved with the inferior pedicle technique.

Superomedial Pedicle

Is a technique that employs a pedicle based superomedially on the chest.  It can be used for large reductions and in those with low hanging breasts.

Other Techniques

There are other pedicle designs including those using the central mound, the lateral pedicle, the medial pedicle, various bipedicle forms, and the supero-lateral pedicle.

Vertical Breast Reduction Techniques

There are many procedures that can incorporate the “lollipop” skin closure. The three most common are:

Superior Pedicle Technique (LeJour)

This is a great technique to be used for patients who have moderately good skin quality, require a relatively short pedicle, and do not require a very large reduction. The pedicle is based superiorly and the skin closure results in a lollipop design. Dr. Wallach uses this technique often and has published his modifications on the LeJour technique and has presented it to other surgeons at the Aesthetic Society’s national meeting.

Superomedial Technqiue (Hall-Findley)

plastic surgery breast reduction new york

This is a very versatile technique that can be used for larger reductions than the LeJour procedure because the pedicle is turned from the superomedial aspect and more tissue can be removed from the sides and top of the breasts. The closure is similar to the LeJour in that the resulting closure looks like a lollipop.

SPAIR Technique (Short-Scar Periareolar Inferior Pedicle Reduction) (Hammond)

This is different than the superior pedicle or superomedial techniques described above because the pedicle is inferiorly based. Similar to the inferior pedicle technique using the Wise pattern, more tissue can be removed superiorly than with the above techniques described.

Special Situations

Massive Weight Loss Patients

Many massive weight loss patients are often not good candidates for a vertical breast reduction technique because they often have poor skin quality and the skin envelope is very loose. For these patients, a Wise incision pattern will often achieve the desired result. For massive weight loss patients, Dr. Wallach has used both types of incision designs to achieve beautiful and natural results for his patients.

Liposuction Only Breast Reduction

Some plastic surgeons perform breast reductions using only liposuction. This limits the need for incisions and scarring, however in the majority of patients, it will not adequately “lift” the breast or reduce the skin envelope. Thus, the breast will potentially be looser after the procedure. If the breast is primarily fatty tissue, then liposuction can be successful in reducing breast size, but this technique will usually not consistently improve the aesthetic appearance of the breasts. If there is significant ptosis (sagging) and the nipple is low on the breast mound, liposuction only breast reduction NYC will not provide the lift needed to create a more youthful look.

Free Nipple Graft Technique

The free nipple graft technique is used for patients that have extremely large breasts and whose nipples are very low on the chest. When the potential pedicle length is too long, there is a risk that the NAC will not survive. Therefore, a free nipple graft technique is an option. A pedicle of tissue is used to restore an aesthetic breast mound. The nipple and areola are removed and replaced on the breasts at an aesthetically pleasing position as a free graft. This technique will eliminate the ability to breastfeed, and may result in partial or incomplete nipple survival. It may also lead to hypopigmentation of the nipple and areola.

Schedule Your Consultation

When it comes to your breast reduction, you want an expert in charge, which is why breast reduction candidates trust Dr. Steven Wallach as their board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Wallach has presented and published papers on breast reduction and has presented his experience and techniques to other plastic surgeons. In addition, his patients know first-hand what natural-looking and beautiful results they receive from his procedures.

To learn more about breast reduction and to get started on your journey to reduced daily discomfort, call (212) 861-6400 or fill out our contact form online today.

FAQ

CAN THE BREASTS GROW BACK AFTER REDUCTION?

Unless you are very young ( in your mid teens) and are still growing, your breasts will not likely grow after a reduction. They can get larger if you gain a lot of weight.

DOES BREAST SIZE AFFECT WEIGHT?

I think that if a patient has very large breasts, it may affect their ability to exercise and may impact their weight to some extent.

CAN YOU DRINK ALCOHOL AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

Yes, you can drink alcohol a few weeks after a breast reduction once your surgeon gives you the ok.

DOES INSURANCE PAY FOR BREAST REDUCTION?

Each insurance company may have different criteria for coverage so it may not always cover the cost.

DO YOU LOSE FEELING IN YOUR NIPPLES AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

Most patients maintain normal sensation after a breast reduction.

DOES WEIGHT GAIN INCREASE BREAST SIZE?

Yes, if you gain weight, your breasts are likely to grow as well.

DO YOU LOSE WEIGHT AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

The weight you lose is related to the volume of tissue removed during the procedure.

HAS ANYONE HAD A SECOND BREAST REDUCTION?

Yes, some patients undergo a second breast reduction for various reasons, like insufficient removal during the first procedure, or weight gain causing their breasts to grow.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY CUP SIZE?

The cup size will likely go down after a breast reduction.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED A BREAST REDUCTION?

Patients that desire small breasts are candidates for a breast reduction. Often patients have symptoms of neck and back pain as well as bra strap grooving and poor posture.

HOW DANGEROUS IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

A breast reduction is a very safe procedure in a healthy patient with a very low risk of major complications

HOW IS THE RECOVERY FROM BREAST REDUCTION?

Patients do not usually have a lot of pain post-operatively and can often go back to light duty within a week to ten days.

HOW DO BREAST REDUCTIONS WORK?

A breast reduction can be performed as an outpatient and can take between 2-4 hours to complete.

HOW LONG DO STITCHES STAY IN AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

I usually use absorbable sutures and these are under the skin and do not need to be removed. There may be drains which are secured with sutures to the skin and are often removed in one week.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A BREAST REDUCTION?

Patients that desire small breasts are candidates for a breast reduction. Often patients have symptoms of neck and back pain as well as bra strap grooving and poor posture.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A BREAST REDUCTION TO HEAL?

Most patients can go back to light duty within 7-10 days and can go back to light aerobics within about 3-4 weeks and heavy lifting within 6-8 weeks.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SWELLING TO GO DOWN AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

The majority of the swelling will go down within 6-8 weeks but there may be some residual swelling for 6 months to a year.

HOW MUCH IS 500 GRAMS FOR A BREAST REDUCTION?

500 gms of tissue is approximately 1.1 pounds.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM A BREAST REDUCTION?

Most patients can go back to light duty within 7-10 days and can go back to light aerobics within about 3-4 weeks and heavy lifting within 6-8 weeks.

HOW PAINFUL IS A BREAST REDUCTION?

A breast reduction is usually not that painful. Most patients only complain of some incisional discomfort.

HOW MANY CUP SIZES CAN YOU GO DOWN WITH BREAST REDUCTION?

This depends upon where you are starting from. That is hard to predict and best discussed in person based upon your exam

IS IT OK TO WEAR A SPORTS BRA AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

I prefer patients not to wear an underwire bra for at least 6-8 weeks. I usually have patients wear a loose fitting sports bra post-op.

HOW MUCH DO BREAST REDUCTIONS COST?

The fee will vary from surgeon to surgeon in different geographic regions of the country.

IS IT WORTH GETTING A BREAST REDUCTION?

For patients with symptoms of having large breasts, this can be very worthwhile. Of course, it is a personal choice.

WHAT CAUSES BREAST REDUCTION?

A breast reduction is usually performed when women desire smaller breasts. They often complains of neck and back pain.

WHY DO BREASTS GROW BACK AFTER A REDUCTION?

The breasts can enlarge after surgery most commonly as a result of weight gain. It is extremely rare for breasts to just grow further after surgery and not be due to weight gain.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

The breasts are often lifted , the volume is reduced, the areolas are made smaller. Many times, but not always, the symptoms improve.

WHY DO MY BREASTS HURT AND FEEL HEAVY?

This may be due to the weight of the breasts which can cause stress to the neck and back.

WHEN CAN I SLEEP WITHOUT A BRA AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

I think that when patients feel comfortable and dont feel the need to have the breasts confined to the bra, then it is ok to sleep without the bra.

WHEN CAN I WEAR A NORMAL BRA AFTER BREAST REDUCTION?

I prefer patients avoid an underwire bra for at least 6 weeks.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BREAST LIFT AND A BREAST REDUCTION?

In many ways a breast reduction and breast lift are similar. A breast reduction reduces the overall volume of the breast parenchyma, the excess skin is excised to drape over the gland, and the nipple areola complex is lifted into a more aesthetic position. A mastopexy or breast lift is similar in that the gland is lifted and often parenchymal sutures are used to shape the breast, the skin is then draped over the gland, the excess skin is removed, and the nipple areola complex is raised to a more aesthetically pleasing position. While some tissue may be removed during a breast lift, it is often minimal in most cases. In many ways, the amount of tissue removed is really the biggest difference. There are many different techniques that are used to perform these procedures. The skin can be excised in an inverted “T” fashion or what is sometimes referred to as an anchor incision. This means that there will be stitches around the areola, vertically from the base of the areola to the breast fold, and also along the inframammary fold in a transverse fashion. A common alternative is a lollipop incision pattern in which there are only stitches around the border of the areola and vertically from the base of the areola to the breast fold, thus eliminating the inframammary incision. The breast parenchymal tissue can be treated using various tissue pedicles most commonly using an inferior pattern, but this can also be vertically, superomedial, or superolateral. Modifications of the breast lift procedures are sometimes performed when a patient desires breast implants as well. A circumareola lift can sometimes be offered when only the nipple has to be raised a short distance.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BREAST REDUCTION?

In order to say if a patient is a good candidate for a breast reduction, she would have to be seen in person. An examination in person will allow the surgeon to evaluate any asymmetries, and appreciate the weight of the breasts and possible volume that can be removed from each breast. Obviously, a breast reduction is performed on a patient with very large breasts that wants them to be smaller. Commonly, the patient has symptoms of bra strap grooving, neck or back pain, and potentially has rashes underneath the breasts. Symptoms like back pain or neck pain may not improve with a reduction, but there are scientific studies suggesting that it does help many women who have breast reductions. There are many different techniques that can be employed to perform a breast reduction. The skin pattern design often employs the use of an inverted “T” or anchor type incision, or a lollipop type of incision. Various parenchymal excision patterns can be used. They are named by the orientation of the blood supply feeding the nipple areola complex. The design of the skin pattern and the choice of the pedicle will vary from patient to patient based upon their anatomy and the surgeon’s experience.

SHOULD I GET A BREAST REDUCTION?

The choice to undergo breast reduction surgery is totally up to the patient. If the patient has very large breasts that she desires to reduce whether it is strictly for cosmetic reasons, or because she has symptoms such as bra strap grooving, neck or back pain, or rashes is a personal choice. Aesthetically, the breasts can be made smaller by removing the excess tissue and skin to alleviate the excess weight and pressure that heavy breasts can cause, as well improve the position of the nipple and in most cases reducing the overall diameter of the areola as well. When to have a breast reduction is another issue. Again it is a personal choice. Some women undergo the surgery in their late teens and early 20’s before having children, while others undergo the surgery later in life. There is no defined best time in life to have it performed. Patients choose when it fits into their life.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME FOR BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

A breast reduction is often performed as an outpatient. This procedure takes about 2-4 hours to complete. Patients often go home wearing light dressings that are covered by a surgical bra. Many surgeons place drains during the procedure which are commonly removed within a week or so after surgery depending upon the amount of drainage. Most patients will be able to go back to light duty within 5-7 days after the procedure, provided that they are healing well and have had no complications. Many patients will be able to go back to light aerobic activity within about 3-4 weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous workouts can be started about 6-8 weeks after surgery if all goes well. It is always best to check with your surgeon as you are healing to see when it is right for you.

WILL A BREAST REDUCTION HELP BACK PAIN?

Patients with large breasts may have back pain. Back pain can be caused by many different things. Back pain may improve with a breast reduction. Intuitively it makes sense, because surgery will reduce the overall weight of the breasts, thus putting less stress on the back. There are numerous studies in the literature that support this concept. I do tell patients that back pain can occur for many different reasons and that symptoms may not improve after breast reduction. Fortunately, many patients do have improvement of back pain after undergoing a breast reduction.

ARE THERE TECHNIQUES TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF “ANCHOR” TYPE INCISIONS?

For many patients I have been using a limited incision approach that creates a “lollipop” type of closure (a circle around the border of the areola and a vertical line from the lower border of the areola to the inframammary fold). In other words, the entire inframammary incision of the “anchor” type of wound closure is eliminated! This can be done for most patients except for those with excessively large breasts requiring more than 2-3 pounds of tissue to be removed from each breast.

CAN I BREAST FEED AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

It is difficult to predict whether or not an individual will be able to breast feed after breast reduction surgery. Some women who are very small breasted, before surgery, can produce a lot of milk while some very large breasted women cannot. Inevitably during surgery some of the parenchyma is removed. There are many patients who can still breast feed. Again, this depends upon the individual patient.

WILL I HAVE NORMAL SENSATION IN MY NIPPLES AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

Many patients will have some change in sensation after the surgery. Some patients with excessively large breasts do not have sensation in their nipples before surgery. In fact, after breast reduction surgery some of these patients recover nipple sensation although the etiology is not well defined. However, there is a percentage of patients who will have diminished sensation that persists after 1 year. Nipple sensation may vary a bit. Commonly patients can have a change in sensation right after surgery due to swelling. Most patients will have improvement in the first six to eight weeks after surgery once most of the swelling subsides. However, a patient’s sensation after surgery may be permanently changed. Some studies suggest that 85% have normal sensation at one year after surgery.

WHAT KIND OF INCISION WILL I NEED FOR A BREAST REDUCTION?

There are several types of incisions that can be used to perform a breast reduction. The two most common are a vertical incision closure and a “T” incision closure. The vertical incision closure is shaped like a lollipop. The incision goes around the border of the areola and then descends in a vertical fashion from the inferior border of the areola down to the breast fold. An inverted “T” incision, or an anchor incision, is the other popular incision closure. This incision goes around the border of the areola and then extends vertically below the areola to the breast fold, unlike the vertical reductions; it also includes an incision along the breast fold.

WHAT IS A VERTICAL BREAST REDUCTION?

A vertical breast reduction is one of a variety of short scar breast reductions that often refers to the type of closure performed. The name was originally derived from the pedicle or how the nipple areola complex receives its blood supply. The most common types of vertical procedures include those described by Lassus, Lejour, Hall-Findley, and Hammond. Lassus and Lejour are techniques in which the nipple areola complex is supplied by a vertical pedicle. The Hall-Findley procedure uses a supero-medial pedicle, and the Hammond technique that he calls a SPAIR (short scar periareolar inferior pedicle reduction), is an inferiorly based pedicle.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A “T” INCISION BREAST REDUCTION?

A “T” incision or anchor incision breast reduction includes a variety of techniques. The nipple areola complex can be carried on a mound of tissue that supplies blood inferiorly, laterally, centrally, superiorly, or medially. The inferior pedicle design is often considered the most versatile. It can be used for patients with large and long breasts, and also in those whose nipple areola complex has to be moved a long distance.

WILL I STILL HAVE FULLNESS AFTER A BREAST REDUCTION?

It is certainly possible to maintain fullness and a nice shape after performing a breast reduction. Taking out too much tissue may compromise the overall shape.

WILL I HAVE A “BOXY” BREAST AFTER A BREAST REDUCTION?

A “boxy” breast is the shape of a breast sometimes occurring after a breast reduction. The breast can look somewhat “squarish” or “boxy”. In my opinion, the two most common causes are related to: 1) the pattern design of the skin excision, 2) making the breast two tight in the midline. Following the natural curve of the breast will hopefully eliminate the potential for a boxy breast. By not taking out too much skin in the midline will help reduce the risk of developing a “boxy” breast.

WILL A REDUCTION IMPROVE THE SHAPE AND TIGHTEN MY SAGGY BREASTS?

Yes! Part of performing the breast reduction is not only to reduce the volume of tissue, but also to raise the nipple areola complex as necessary and tighten the skin envelope. So in effect, reduction techniques are commonly used for breast lift techniques. It’s like a two for one procedure. If you think of it as a car, the car headlights will hopefully be pointing forward not downward.

WILL I NEED DRAINS AFTER A BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE?

Typically, I prefer to use closed suction drains for the majority of my breast reduction patients. They are removed when the drainage is deemed low enough.

CAN I JUST HAVE LIPOSUCTION OF MY BREASTS?

Liposuction alone is performed by some surgeons to reduce the overall volume of the breast. Because the breast consists of fatty tissue and glandular tissue, liposuction can be used to address this fatty portion. So reducing the volume is possible. However, skin tightening or elevating the nipple areola complex cannot be done by liposuction alone. In other words, for patients with very large breasts with low nipple areola complexes, and a lot of skin, liposuction is probably not a good choice. Liposuction may be best for small asymmetries.