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Breast Reductions Are on the Rise, Data Says

Breast Reductions Are on the Rise, Data Says featured image
Leonardo Marinho on Unsplash
This article first appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of New Beauty. Click here to subscribe

The biggest trend in breast surgery is going smaller, and as many women opt for more manageable implants, a growing number of patients are seeking breast reductions. A procedure with an incredibly high satisfaction rate, the reduction is more popular than ever before, and we’re diving in to explore all the ways less is more.

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54%: The surge in breast reductions, according to the latest data, from 2019 to 2022.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

The Small Picture

While smaller implants, implant removals and more natural-looking breast augmentations gain steam alongside breast reductions, experts note that the reduction is unique in the direct benefits it can offer patients.

“Breast reductions are amazing because they not only improve the aesthetics of the breast, but they also help women feel so much more comfortable in their own skin,” says Louisville, KY plastic surgeon M. Bradley Calobrace, MD. “There is huge symptomatic relief, as patients immediately see a reduction in shoulder pain, neck pain, bra straps digging into their skin, and sweating under their breasts. They also see improvement in their ability to engage in physical activity or exercise.”

And with weight loss via GLP-1s on the rise, plenty of women are also seeking reductions to balance their proportions.

“Oftentimes, even with weight loss, women find large breasts to be uncomfortable and an unwanted part of their daily lives,” explains Concord, CA plastic surgeon Eric Mariotti, MD. “I’m not sure I have ever talked with a breast reduction patient who didn’t wish she had done it years ago.”

It’s the Little Things

For the experts, it’s obvious that smaller breasts are trending, but they don’t expect the popularity of the breast reduction to fall anytime soon.

“I’ve seen a 30 percent increase in requests for breast reduction surgery in my practice this year so far, but I think this surgery will always be very popular,” says New York plastic surgeon Norman Rowe, MD. “Any woman with large breasts would tell you that they can sometimes be very challenging and painful.”

Additionally, satisfaction with results has never been higher.

“We currently shape the breasts using the patient’s own strong tissue or with the use of mesh to avoid depending on the patient’s own skin to hold the breasts up,” Dr. Calobrace says. “Our techniques are way better than what I was taught to do 30 years ago. This demonstrates how important it is to ensure the surgeon’s techniques are the most advanced to achieve the best aesthetics, the best safety and the best outcomes overall.”

I’ve seen a 30 percent increase in requests for breast reduction surgery in my practice this year so far.

Dr. Rowe

Talking Small

According to Dr. Rowe the popularity of the breast reduction comes from a few different places.

“Women seek reduction surgery for various reasons,” Dr. Rowe explains. “These include upper back pain, nerve pain in the hands and arms, cosmetic reasons, and probably most importantly, lifestyle issues. Most patients find that their breasts hinder them from their activities of daily living and things they enjoy.”

During the consultation, those reasons can also help a plastic surgeon determine whether a reduction is needed, or if another surgery would better suit them.

“It’s interesting,” says Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo R. McCafferty, MD. “I’ve seen a few patients recently who initially wanted a breast reduction, but after having lost weight, really only needed a breast lift.”

When a breast reduction is needed, it can often be combined with other procedures and packaged as a “Mommy Makeover” or a “Menopause Makeover.”

“A component of the Mommy Makeover is some kind of breast enhancement—usually a reduction in size,” explains Duxbury, MA plastic surgeon Christine Hamori, MD. “That might be paired with a breast lift to make the breasts a little more shapely as well.”

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