Cosmetic Procedures: Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery reduces the size and weight of the breast. A heavy breast can be the source of significant problems, such as upper back and neck pain. Breast reduction surgery is a reliable way to relieve these symptoms. Because of this, breast reductions have one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of all plastic and reconstructive cosmetic procedures.

• Who is a Candidate?
• Intended Result
• Consultations & Insurance Guidelines
• Procedure Description
• Recuperation and Healing
• Other Options
• Request Your Free Consultation

Who is a Candidate?

Women who have:

• Large pendulous breasts.


• Sagging breasts due to past pregnancies, genetics or aging.


• Breasts large enough to limit a woman's physical activity.


• Back, neck and shoulder pain caused by breast weight.


• Indentations from bra straps that support heavy pendulous breasts.


• Skin irritation beneath the breast crease.


• Breasts that hang low.


• Enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin.

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Intended Result

Smaller breasts and an elevated, more youthful breast contour.
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Consultations & Insurance Guidelines

At the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, cosmetic breast reduction consults are free.

Since breast reduction surgery is often performed for medical and non-cosmetic reasons, the procedure may be covered by your insurance policy. During your consult, we can help you determine if your breast reduction would be covered by your medical insurance.

Breast reductions covered by insurance are billed to the insurance company. Depending on your insurance policy you may be responsible for a co-pay.
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Procedure Description

• The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia and may require a night's stay in the hospital.


• The incisions are made around the nipple-areolar complex and possibly in the crease under the breast in an inverted T or anchor-shaped incision pattern.


• Underlying breast tissue is reduced in volume, lifted and shaped. For extremely large pendulous breasts, the nipple and areola may need to be removed and transplanted to a higher position on the breast (free nipple graft). Excess breast skin is removed.


• The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Incision lines are permanent, but, in most cases, will fade and significantly improve over time.

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Recuperation and Healing

• After surgery, you'll be provided with a surgical bra over gauze dressings.


• A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two.

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Other Options

Other procedures that enhance the results include liposuction (fat removal) from the area below the armpit.
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Request Your Free Consultation

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.

To learn more about the possibilities presented here, we encourage you to sit down with a member of our medical team. Use our online contact form to request your complimentary first consultation.
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