What is Breast Reduction Surgery Like?

If you are healthy and properly evaluated there should be no reason why you wouldn't be a good candidate for the Breast Reduction procedure. It is very common to have it performed during high school. The surgery, if done by a Board Certified Plastic surgeon, will be done under general anesthesia. This means that you will be asleep during the procedure. You should see a surgeon to find out their exact technique. Most Plastic Surgeons goal is to have the least scarring possible. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Breast reduction surgery is nearly always much easier than patients expect.

Firstly, you will be completely asleep during the surgery. I always place long-acting local anesthetic (freezing) into the breast so my patients wake up feeling very comfortable.

Your surgeon will prescribe pain relievers that you will use for the first week or so.

Most patients are surprised at how little discomfort is involved

Finally, if you are like the great majority, you will be delighted with your results.

Make sure you see an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

All the best!

If you are experiencing symptoms from your breast size (neck/back pain), then a breast reduction may be a great procedure to reduce or eliminate your problems.  This should be discussed in detail with your parents and a board certified plastic surgeon. The surgery is done under general anesthesia so you don't need to worry about having too much pain.  You will take some oral pain medications for a few days after the surgery but can go back to school in about 3 or 4 days.

The stitches will dissolve and the scars will fade as time goes on (usually takes up to one year).

Once you've recovered, you will be able to exercise and participate in sports much more easily.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

Generally speaking, the surgery itself should be painless for you because you will be under anesthesia.  It is highly unlikley that you will be aware of anything during the surgery and you should have a good experience.  The recovery is one of the least painful for Plastic Surgery procedures. Good luck!

Thank you for the question.

It sounds like  you are dealing with juvenile breast hypertrophy along with the physical and psychosocial consequences of this diagnosis. In other words, the breasts are too large for the frame causing  both physical and psychological distress.

As  you think  about  breast reduction surgery make sure you do your homework and understand the potential risks and complications associated with  the procedure.  Make sure you also understands that further surgery may be necessary in the future (for example if the breasts were to grow in size again).

On the other hand, breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform and I think that for the right teenager (enough symptoms) it may be an excellent option (regardless of the age).

Sometimes breast  reduction surgery is covered through health insurance. The best way to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery involves some “hoops” to jump through. The more documentation you have (for example, from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor etc.) the better when it comes to obtaining insurance “authorization” for the procedure.
This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization.

Make sure you're  working with a well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.


I hope this helps.

Breast reduction surgery is generally a very safe procedure.  It sounds like you would be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.  I perform this surgery under general surgery.  It would be exceedingly rare for the anesthesia not to work properly.  Afterwards women usually do fine with oral pain medications.

It sure sounds like you would be a good candidate to consider breast reduction surgery when the time is right.  Most patients who have this type of surgery complain of heavy breasts, upper and/or lower back pain, some neck strain, grooving of their bra straps over their shoulders, and some rubbing under the breasts.  The breast size should have been relatively unchanged for at least two years before having the surgery.  It is natural to have concerns about any elective operation.  The surgery is done on an outpatient basis, and usually under general anesthesia, so feeling the anesthetic should not be an issue.  You will need two weeks off if you work or in school, and the full recovery can be 6-8 weeks in returning to all activities.  Breast reduction surgery is highly successful for most patients.  You are smart to do your research now, so you will be ready in another year or two.  Best wishes.

Michael Vincent, MD, FACS

You have really common concerns about anesthesia.  Almost all patient have similar worries.  Here at Real Self we encourage patients to seek out board certified plastic surgeons, similarly I like for patients to request a board certified anesthesiologist.  In my practice, I only use BC anesthesiologist and they work to communicate to you what you should expect and also what they do to monitor your level of anesthesia during the procedure.  Once you have heard them go through what the do, I am sure most of your worries will be gone.  Good luck.

It sounds like you are a very smart and proactive person.  In general, the surgery is safe when performed with a board-certified ABPS plastic surgeon in a properly accredited facility. 

Breast reduction surgery is very safe and so is the anesthesia.  The discomfort that patients have after surgery is more soreness than severe pain/  Usually after surgery you have to take it easy for a week or two to allow things to heal.