Going smaller is what’s big in the world of breast surgery, as more women than ever before opt for breast reduction procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast reduction surgeries have increased by 54 percent from just 2019-2022. And these procedures carry a very high patient satisfaction rate of 90.3 percent. Thinking about taking the plunge? Here are the key questions to ask and factors to consider to make the most of your breast reduction journey.
Featured Experts
- M. Bradley Calobrace, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Louisville, KY
- Eric Mariotti, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Concord, CA
- Leo R. McCafferty, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Pittsburgh
- Robert Singer, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in La Jolla, CA
Before You Schedule a Consultation
“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. According to Dr. Calobrace, patients may be considering a breast reduction if they experience “shoulder pain, neck pain, bra straps digging into their skin, or heavy sweating under their breasts. Breast reductions also allow patients to see improvement in their ability to engage in physical activity or exercise.”
“In my experience, most women seeking a breast reduction fall into two categories,” adds Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo R. McCafferty, MD. “The first is women who have not had children, and the second category is women who have had children and are experiencing postpartum heaviness. And these are really two very distinct categories of patient.”
In the first case, Dr. McCafferty advises patients to consider if they are at their ideal weight, or if they plan to lose or gain weight in the future. “Additionally, it’s important to think about if you plan on having children in the near future,” he adds. “Pregnancy and weight changes can impact the breast in a variety of ways, and may impact your breast reduction results.”
When you’re looking for a practitioner, Concord, CA plastic surgeon suggests paying close attention to Before & After photos. “Before and after photographs are the most useful tools for a patient,” he explains. “I will often find a woman in my books or on my website who looks like the patient themselves. It gives me the best way to let a prospective patient understand what her results could look like.”
Additionally, choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon will help ensure you get the best results.
At Your Breast Reduction Consultation
It’s important to ask your practitioner questions about their technique and expertise.
“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.”
Additionally, for mothers whose children are still young enough to be held, it’s important to consider how childcare will work post-op. “I ask my patience to begin normal, but slow, movements as soon as possible,” notes Concord, CA plastic surgeon Eric Mariotti, MD. “This helps speed up the time to ‘feel’ recovered. Lifting a very young child is usually doable after about a week or so, but a toddler having a tantrum is a whole other story.”
If you are considering breastfeeding in the future, Dr. Mariotti suggests waiting until afterward to have a breast reduction. “I tell my patients that there is typically plenty, but not all, of breast tissue connected to the nipple-areola complexes to allow for milk production and breastfeeding,” he says. “If a woman absolutely wants to be able to breastfeed in the future, I tell them the best way to ensure that possibility is to wait until after having all of her babies.”
“Follow the guidelines and instructions given to you by your board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure the best outcomes,” notes La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD. “Additionally, during your consultation is a good time to ask questions about scarring. Breast reductions carry very high patient satisfaction rates, but scarring and loss of sensation are common concerns.”
