Breast reduction surgery (also called reduction mammoplasty) is a highly successful breast surgery – patients are very happy after this procedure, because it helps them to feel better physically, by reducing grooving in the shoulders and shoulder pain, rashes, back pain, neck pain, athletic ability, and the ability to easily buy and fit into clothes. They also find they’re more confident and experiencing life the way they want to live.
Also known as a reduction mammoplasty, our Plastic Surgeon offers breast reduction at Reflections Center for Cosmetic Medicine in Martinsville and Livingston, New Jersey. There are many reasons that women opt for breast reduction. Excessively large breasts can cause physical pain and emotional discomfort, so breast reduction surgery can be a life-changing solution.
Breast Reduction Quick Facts
- Average Cost: $12,500 – $17,000 for surgeon’s fees, (plus $3,000 for anesthesia and OR, typically)
- Downtime: 7-10 days of relaxed downtime
- Can be combined with implants or a lift
- Always performed under general anesthesia
The Best Breast Reduction Treatment Options
There are various surgical techniques used in breast reduction, but there is generally only one or two techniques that will work best for your anatomy and goals. You may find it helpful to read about the techniques to educate yourself, but please know that our surgeons will also lay out your options and which would not help you achieve your goals during your breast reduction consultation. For the vast majority of patients with large enough breasts to warrant a reduction (and not just a lift), the inverted T anchor lift is the only procedure that will remove enough tissue to make you happy.
Vertical Lollipop Breast Reduction
Our surgeons almost always uses this technique for his breast reduction surgeries, though he sometimes has to extend the incision to a full anchor technique. The vertical lollipop lift allows the surgeon to reshape the internal breast mound through an incision that goes around the areola and down the length of the breast to the inframammary fold, or the spot where the breast meets the chest wall. For most patients, this is the preferred method because it achieves enough of a lift and reshaping of the breast with the least amount of scarring possible (and as you can see in the photos, the scars can be quite minimal even just a few months into healing).
Inverted “T” (Anchor) Breast Reduction Surgery
The inverted “T,” or anchor, technique is the most commonly performed breast reduction approach worldwide. In our practice, however, this technique is reserved for cases where it is truly necessary—often extending a lollipop reduction into an anchor pattern only when additional skin removal or reshaping is required to achieve the best possible outcome.
This approach involves incisions around the areola, vertically down to the breast fold, and along the fold itself, creating the characteristic “anchor” shape. Through these carefully placed incisions, excess breast tissue and skin are removed, and the breast is reshaped into a more balanced, proportional contour. The nipple–areola complex is repositioned to a more youthful, elevated position while preserving its blood supply and sensation whenever possible.
A critical component of a successful breast reduction is the creation of a strong, well-supported internal breast structure—often referred to as an “internal bra.” Rather than relying on the skin to provide lift and support, we focus on reshaping and reinforcing the underlying breast tissue. The skin is then gently redraped over this newly contoured breast mound, allowing for a more natural appearance and improved long-term support.
Historically, many breast reduction techniques placed excessive tension on the skin to achieve lift. This can compromise scar quality and lead to issues such as widened scars, discoloration, or recurrent sagging over time. By prioritizing internal support, we minimize tension on the incisions, promoting better healing, more refined scars, and longer-lasting, natural-looking results.
Our surgeons place significant emphasis on thoughtful preoperative planning and precise surgical execution to ensure that both the aesthetic outcome and scar quality meet the highest standards.
Benelli Technique for Breast Reduction (also called a Donut Lift)
In the Benelli or Donut Technique, an incision is made just around the areola, and all excess tissue is removed through this single incision. While this procedure offers the smallest potential scars, it also offers the smallest potential change which is generally not what a breast reduction surgery is about.
When we talk about using the Donut Lift procedure for breast reduction, the patient for whom this is an option is one with large breasts that are perky. If you look at your breasts from the front, you want your nipples to be at or higher than your inframammary fold and you want very little overall sagging of the breast tissue below the inframammary fold, maybe 2-4 cm at most.
Most patients want to discuss this as an option for them because the scars are well-hidden along the areola, and don’t extend into the fairer-toned skin where they tend to be more noticeable, at least at first. If scars are your biggest motivation for wanting a specific technique to be used, that’s the perfect thing to discuss during your consultation. You might be surprised to learn that there is a lot of strategy behind how our surgeons perform breast reductions and how they instruct their patients to take care of themselves post-operatively. We also offer proactive scar therapy with our non-surgical team of cosmetic physicians.
Why Choose Reflections Center for Your Breast Reduction
Most women find that by the time they book a breast reduction surgery, it’s become quite an emotional and frustrating part of their life to feel like they are at war with their own bodies. Having a plastic surgeon who is on your side and offers you compassion while you plan a new way forward is worth everything.
Reflections Center is proud to be home to a team of doctors who each bring their own expertise in cosmetic care to our patients. While breast reduction is always a surgical procedure, our physicians often provide post-surgery scar care or other types of support to ensure your every need and wish are looked after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for breast reduction?
What is breast reduction recovery like?
Does breast reduction require implants?
Is breast reduction covered by insurance?
How many cup sizes can you go down with a breast reduction?
What are the potential risks and complications of breast reduction surgery?
How long does a breast reduction surgery typically take?
Will I have visible scars after breast reduction surgery?
Can I still breastfeed after having a breast reduction?
What type of anesthesia is used for breast reduction surgery?
Will I have breast reduction scars?
Does breast reduction cause breast cancer?
Sources:
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction
- https://www.smartbeautyguide.com/procedures/breast/breast-reduction/
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-breast-implants
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441974/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-reduction-surgery/about/pac-20385246
- https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-breast-reduction-surgery
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007405.htm
- https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-reduction
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-happens-during-breast-reduction-surgery-2710004
- https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1274715-overview
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007405.htm
- https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.breast-reduction.tf2235
