I Have Big Breasts, Can I Get Them Reduced?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery; it tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. You should educate yourself regarding the potential risks associated with the procedure. Some of the risks/potential complications associated with breast reduction surgery include: infection, bleeding, seroma, hematoma, wound healing problems, abnormal scarring ( hypertrophic or keloid),... more

Breast reduction of the variety you are inquiring about is simple and safe surgery.  The only problem are the resulting scars.  Fortunately, over time, they tend to become very acceptable.  Complications are rare and the convalescence is easy.

  The final size after he breast reduction surgery depends on the surgical technique that was used and your personal goals. It is possible to have breast that you consider to be excessively large after a breast reduction. If your breast remained too large and continue to produce symptoms such as back breast or shoulder pain, a revision breast reduction surgery may be in order. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is very experienced in revising breast reductions.... more

The fee for a breast reduction really varies around the country. You are best to find a really good surgeon who does nice work and then worry about the cost.

Coneja: The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS at surgery.org) annual statistics report 140,000 breast reduction operations were done for women in the US in 2008. This is second to augmentation and more common than mastopexy (breast lift). Breast reduction patients are among the happiest patients in a typical plastic surgery practice. Insurance tends to cover larger reductions when patients have back, neck and shoulder pain. Patients themselves pay for reductions that... more

A breast reduction sounds perfectly reasonable in your case. The cost varies, and in many cases, it is covered by your insurance. Each insurance policy has different criteria for what they will and won't cover, so you'll need to check with them. There are several different ways to perform a breast reduction, so you want to be sure and ask your surgeon what type of reduction they perform and to see before and after photos. Good luck! Dr. Salemy

Thank you for your inquiry. Yes it is good to start preparing for your surgery. An office visit/consultation is mandatory prior to scheduling the procedure. The following information is based on a breast reduction procedure only. During the consultation we may determine that other procedures are better suited for your optimal outcome. The proper breast procedure for you is a complex decision process determined based on your desires, anatomy, practicality, availability, picture review,... more

You certainly can have a reduction. The payment options depends on how much weight will be removed from each breast to acheive the size range you are desiring. Your insurance carrier has certain critieria they use to determine if they will "pay" for the procedure. If you do not meet them, you certainly can pay for it yourself. Surgeons vary in the fees they charge as do hospitals, surgery centers, etc. You certainly "shop around" for reasonable fees, but make sure the... more

Fees vary depending on the level of expertise of the surgeon and the most important part of getting a good result from plastic surgery, is the surgeon you choose. There are several fees pertaining to any operation. For a breast reduction, which typically can take 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours, the approximate fee for anesthesia would be $1,500, the operating room fee would be $1,900 and the surgeon's fee would be in the range of $12,000 to $16,000 depending on the difficulty of your case. These fees... more

What you are describing is very possible. The costs vary with your location and vary with each doctor. To go from a D to a C is generally not enough weight for most insurances to want to cover this as "medically necessary" as they usually want at least 500 grams (a pound) of tissue taken from each side.

Coneja, Breast reduction prices will vary based on a number of factors. These include where you live, the type of reduction you require, and the surgeon. Also, coverage by health insurance may be available to you depending on the laws and policies in your state. Your board certified plastic surgeon can provide some insight for your specific characteristics. Good luck!

Charges vary, and so you need to call locally.  Insurance is another issue.  You may or may  not be covered under your policy, and they may make you jump through hoops.  If you are insured, the best bet is to check with your HR dept. or call the insurance company directly. sek

Hello There are no set fees for breast reduction. The cost varies depending on whether you have it done at a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or doctor's surgery center. The doctor's fee also varies by region and even within a city. A small breast reduction is not necessarily cheaper than an average one, as the cost of anesthesia, operating room, etc will be the same. Consult with a couple of board-certified plastic surgeons in your area and they will be able to give you all fees up... more