Will breast reduction cause nasty side boob scars?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery.   However, much more information is needed to determine whether you should proceed with surgery, and if so when (timing).  In my practice, I individualize the “timing” of surgery based on a lot of information that is transmitted during the consultation process.
“Typical” patients who present for breast reduction surgery are women who have disproportionately large breasts, causing problems such as neck/back/shoulder discomfort, postural changes, bra strap grooving, skin irritation/rashes under the breasts, and/or difficulty with activities of daily living and/or exercise etc. There may be both physical as well as psychosocial “stress” caused by the disproportionately large breasts.
Reducing breast tissue mass and elevating the breasts on the chest wall tend to improve or alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disproportionately large breasts.
Patients considering breast reduction surgery should also consider the potential downsides (risks/complications) associated with the procedure as well.. Poor scarring, for example may be associated with the procedure.  Additional surgery may be necessary in the short or longer term for a multitude of reasons.The majority of patients who undergo breast reduction surgery will be able to breast-feed. Discuss this goal with your plastic surgeon; utilizing certain breast reduction techniques the chances of breast-feeding can be potentially increased.
 When the time is right, I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
Then, it will be important that you communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon and make sure that you have realistic expectations prior to proceeding with any type of surgery. In regards to breast size desired, also communicate carefully. In my practice the use of goal pictures are helpful in this regard; a discussion of cup size can be confusing and imprecise.   Therefore, I would not suggest that you communicate your goals and/or base your satisfaction with the outcome of surgery on achieving a specific cup size.  I also find that the use of pictures is more helpful than the words “natural” or "proportionate” etc., which can mean different things to different people.
Many of my patients choose to have enough breast tissue removed to help alleviate symptoms while retaining enough breast tissue to remain proportionate to the remainder of their torso.
I hope this helps.

With most modern techniques of breast reduction, the ducts should be preserved as well as the sensation.  Therefore, breast-feeding should be possible.In general, scarring is a product of genetics. Some people are good scar formers, and others are poorer scar formers. I always minimize the scars to minimize the likelihood of poor scars. There is no one best therapy for scars. Silicone sheets, Mederma, and Bicorneum are reasonable and popular options. I recommend that the scar therapy begin after the scars have healed and there are no open areas, which usually takes 4 - 6 weeks.Consult with a board certified PS who performs hundreds of breast procedures each year to discuss your candidacy for the BR, the pros and cons of BR, and the most appropriate time for you to have the surgery.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

You sound like a good candidate for this procedure.  At DDD cup size and the symptoms you describe, insurance should cover this.  Look for a specialist that can provide a vertical breast reduction and this will reduce the incidence of a long inframammary fold scar.