Breast Reduction
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY
Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is a breast enhancement procedure that decreases the size of the breasts and lifts the breasts to balance your body proportions and relieve discomfort. Large breasts can cause neck, back, and shoulder pain that affects your quality of life. They can also impact one’s ability to exercise, cause rashes, and result in clothing not fitting right. In 2023, specialists performed more than 76,000 breast reduction treatments to help patients address these concerns and more. (1)
Breast reduction can address both physical and aesthetic concerns by removing fat, breast tissue, and skin to reduce the size and weight of the breasts. Breast reduction is often combined with breast lift surgery in order to elevate and reshape the breasts to create a more balanced and youthful-looking figure.
At Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, Dr. Elie Levine understands that choosing to undergo breast reduction surgery is a highly personal decision. While some women may desire only a slight decrease in breast size, others may seek more significant reduction, as well as lifting and re-contouring. Dr. Elie Levine’s extensive fellowship training and experience in both cosmetic and functional fields allow for transformative, spectacular results. Our practice offers a wide range of options so that you can receive the procedure or combination of procedures that works best for your specific needs.
Contact our office online by submitting our online contact form or calling (212) 988-1800.
We offer resources to international and out-of-town patients, and would be happy to guide you through the process of planning your procedure.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Breast Reduction
Breast reduction removes both glandular and fatty breast tissue to reshape the breasts, creating a smaller, more proportional breast mound. Large and heavy breasts can create both aesthetic and functional concerns for women. While some women are self-conscious about a disproportionately top-heavy figure, other women may experience physical symptoms as well. Heavy and pendulous breasts can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain. Additionally, heavy breasts can trap moisture along the lower breast crease (inframammary fold), leading to skin rashes. (2) Heavy breasts may also affect your ability to exercise comfortably.
Some women also choose to combine a breast reduction with a lift to raise the position of the breast mounds. In certain cases, insurance may cover breast reduction surgery to alleviate the medical conditions associated with overly large breasts.
Benefits
There are several benefits of breast reduction, which include:
- Powerful lift: Dr. Elie Levine’s techniques ensure that the breasts are not only made lighter, but that they sit in a more youthful position on the chest. His attention to detail also allows for results that last.
- Reduced discomfort: Reducing the size of the breasts provides patients with relief from bra-strap grooving, back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain caused by large breasts.
- Improved posture: By reducing breast weight, many patients experience improved posture and reduced spinal strain.
- Enhanced mobility: With lighter breasts, activities such as exercise and playing sports become easier and more enjoyable.
- Increased clothing options: Patients can enjoy a broader range of fashion choices that fit well and enhance their overall appearance.
- Improved self-esteem and mental well-being: Many individuals report increased confidence and satisfaction with their body image following breast reduction. (3)
- Less skin irritation: The procedure can eliminate rashes and skin irritation under the breasts, improving skin health.
- Balanced proportions: Your surgeon can address asymmetry for a more balanced appearance.
- Long-lasting results: If you maintain a stable weight, you can enjoy long-lasting results.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for breast reduction would like to reduce the size of their breasts for a more balanced appearance and proportional silhouette, while also improving their comfort in their daily life. If you would like to find relief from back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by large breasts, you are likely a good candidate for breast reduction.
Consultation
Dr. Elie Levine will meet with you to discuss your goals and expectations and help you determine if breast reduction is a good fit for you. He will ask about your medical history, current medications, and lifestyle to determine the most effective treatment plan for your underlying anatomy. He takes great care to discuss your body goals and how breast reduction surgery can help you achieve stunning results.
Most women will need a current mammogram (within one year) to serve as a baseline for postoperative comparison. Dr. Elie Levine will let you know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure, and he will answer any questions that you may have. Each patient will also receive instructions about how to prepare based on their personalized treatment plan.
Treatment Process
Dr. Elie Levine can perform breast reduction surgery in the hospital or our state-of-the-art, in-office operating suite, which is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). He may use modified sedation, depending on your specific treatment plan and medical history, but most patients receive general anesthesia.
Before your procedure, you will discuss these factors thoroughly with our board-certified anesthesiologist to determine the most suitable type of anesthesia for your needs.
Breast Reduction Techniques
Dr. Elie Levine’s primary breast reduction technique is excisional tissue removal. Breast reduction with incisional surgery is the most effective way to improve the appearance of the breasts for natural-looking results. He may also include liposuction to further shape the breasts and sculpt the lateral chest. In some cases, Dr. Elie Levine will use radiofrequency (RF)-assisted liposuction from InMode. This liposuction treatment administers heat to the fat cells and liquifies them, making them easier to remove, allowing Dr. Elie Levine to reshape the breasts.
Breast Reduction Incisions
To remove excess tissue from the breasts with excisional methods, Dr. Elie Levine will carefully place incisions to enhance the breasts for a better shape. The incision placement will depend on many factors, including your specific anatomy and the amount of tissue removal necessary. Incisions are usually made in one of three patterns:
- Lollipop/Vertical: He can make an incision around the areola that extends vertically down toward the breast crease to remove a moderate amount of excess tissue.
- Modified Lollipop: He can address more drooping than the average with a variation of the traditional lollipop incision.
- Inverted T/Anchor: This pattern involves an incision around the areola that extends vertically down toward the breast crease, as well as an additional horizontal incision along the breast crease. This approach is best for more extensive tissue removal.
Each type of incision can reshape the breasts and provide a powerful lift for natural-looking results and a curvier appearance. Dr. Elie Levine also addresses the tissue on the outer side of the breast (lateral breast tissue) that extends to the armpit. This comprehensive approach ensures natural-looking results because it addresses the entire breast.
Recovery
After your procedure, you will wake up in our state-of-the-art recovery suite, where our licensed, registered nurse will make sure you are comfortable and assist you in the beginning of your recovery.
Every breast reduction recovery is different. You will receive detailed post-operative instructions for your specific needs. You can expect to experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness in the breasts after surgery. Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort after the surgery, which is usually well-tolerated with approved pain relief. Most patients will only need to take one week off work if they work a desk job, and Dr. Elie Levine will provide specific instructions for optimal results. At Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, we’re dedicated to providing ongoing care to ensure a fast, safe, and smooth recovery. Dr. Elie Levine will see you for post-operative visits, and he will be able to answer any questions you may have about your recovery.
Results
Our patients can experience excellent results after undergoing breast reduction surgery. After the procedure, you can enjoy a more balanced appearance and improved self-esteem. Breast reduction can also reduce pain, irritation, and discomfort caused by larger breasts to improve your mobility and quality of life.
While breast reduction reduces breast size and improves the shape and position of the breasts, it’s important to remember that the breasts may change over time due to natural aging, hormonal changes, and other factors.
Corresponding Procedures
If you are interested in exploring additional procedures, please discuss your options during your consultation.
Scarless Breast Lift
We also offer a scarless breast lift, a minimally invasive procedure that uses BodyTite technology to lift the breasts and make them look more youthful.
Skin Tightening
For skin tightening, we offer many different methods, including Quantum RF. Quantum RF uses radiofrequency (RF) waves, which are absorbed by the body as thermal energy. This triggers collagen production to tighten the skin.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a condition where male breasts are enlarged, often due to a hormonal imbalance. Dr. Elie Levine can sculpt a more masculine chest with a male breast reduction.
Full Body Liposuction
With full-body liposuction, Dr. Elie Levine can address multiple stubborn areas of fat in the same appointment.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is designed to rejuvenate the body after pregnancy and breastfeeding, but anyone eligible is welcome to consider this procedure. Mommy makeovers usually consist of a combination of liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a breast lift, reduction, or augmentation.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is designed to remove excess skin from the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles.
Cost of Breast Reduction in NYC
The cost of breast reduction will depend on your personalized treatment plan and whether you need additional treatments for your desired look. Insurance may cover breast reduction surgery if the surgery is intended to treat medical conditions. Your surgeon will discuss whether your condition may be covered by insurance during your initial consultation. If your condition fulfills the medical requirements for insurance coverage, it usually takes 1-6 months to receive approval from the insurance company if the procedure is medically necessary.
Contact our office online by submitting our online contact form or calling (212) 988-1800.
FAQ
Is breast reduction covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on the individual’s health insurance provider, but many plans cover breast reduction when medically indicated. We will help you navigate your policy and can answer questions about this process.
What are the risks involved with breast reduction surgery?
All surgeries carry risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring, and changes in nipple sensation.
How long is the recovery after breast reduction?
Recovery time varies per individual but typically spans six weeks for complete healing.
Will there be noticeable scars after breast reduction?
Every effort is made to minimize incisions; however, scarring is inevitable but often fades visibly over time.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Sachs D, Szymanski KD. Breast Reduction. PubMed. Published 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28723003/
- Sadiq KO, Ruiz Cota P, Creamer R, Mahedia M, Dobke MK. Reduction mammaplasty relieves depression in women with macromastia: A systematic review. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2024;99:502-505. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2024.10.011