Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery
Procedure Cost
Breast Reduction
$8,690*
** This price is an estimate and does not include additional procedures or prescriptions. Please consult with our office to learn your actual cost.
Our plastic surgeons at University of Utah Health have both the clinical experience and the board certification to ensure quality results and care throughout your breast reduction procedure and recovery. We help our patients:
- find relief from chronic back and neck pain, shoulder irritation, nerve pain, rashes under breast folds, and discomfort during activities like exercise and sleep,
- enjoy a more proportionate appearance, and
- feel more comfortable and confident.
Since we’re part of a large university hospital, you can feel safe knowing that we have access to a wide array of resources, equipment, and training to respond to an emergency, if one arises.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to reduce your breast size. During the procedure, your surgeon will remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from your breasts. At the same time, your surgeon may also:
- reduce the size of your areolae,
- lift your breasts if they are sagging, and
- make your breasts more even in size.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if:
- You feel your breast size is causing pain, discomfort, or interferes with your daily life in other ways.
- You are in good physical and mental health. This includes not smoking and not having certain medical conditions like diabetes or heart problems.
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age. However, you may want to wait if your breasts are not yet fully developed or if you plan to lose weight or breastfeed in the future.
Breast Reduction Cost
What Our Breast Reduction Cost Covers
- Pre-op and follow-up visits for 90 days post-surgery
- Hospital or surgical facility fee
- Anesthesia
- Surgical supplies and post-surgical garment
- Surgeon/provider fee
Consultations will be free of charge if you do not plan on going through your insurance, However, if you do plan on going through insurance to pay, you will be subject to your insurance provider’s deductible or co-pay.
Is Breast Reduction Covered by Insurance?
If you’re having breast reduction surgery to relieve physical problems like back or neck pain, the procedure may be considered medically necessary by your insurance provider. However, each insurance company often has different requirements to meet prior to authorizing a breast reduction.
We will contact your insurance company to determine your eligibility and request approval for insurance coverage. The process to get approval usually takes about a month.
To help make surgery affordable for you, we also offer many payment and financing options.
What You Can Expect at Your Consultation
Your appointment will last from 30 minutes to one hour. During this time, we will fully assess you and your needs and answer questions that you have.
At your first appointment, your plastic surgeon will:
- examine and measure your breasts and
- take photographs of your breasts for your medical records and insurance purposes.
We will also talk with you about:
- the physical symptoms you have from your large breasts,
- how you’d like your breasts, nipples, and areolae to appear,
- past medical issues and mammograms, if you have any,
- the best surgical options for you,
- how much breast tissue we should remove for the results you want,
- likely outcomes, recovery, and potential risks,
- a cost estimate, and
- surgery preparations and your breast reduction recovery.
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Types of Breast Reduction Techniques
At U of U Health, our surgeons will perform breast reduction surgery using the following techniques:
- Inverted T technique (anchor breast reduction surgery) and
- Vertical incision technique (or lollipop breast reduction).
The techniques we suggest will depend on several factors like your breast size and shape, the amount of tissue to remove, and if you plan to breastfeed in the future.
Inverted T Technique (Anchor Breast Reduction Surgery)
We may suggest this technique if you have a significant amount of sagging or tissue to remove. It results in a circular scar around your areola, a vertical line from under your areola to the bottom of your breast, and a line along your breast crease. The scar resembles an anchor or an inverted T.
Vertical Incision Technique (Lollipop Breast Reduction)
We may suggest this technique if you want a minimal or moderate amount of tissue removed. It results in a circular scar around your areola and a vertical line from under your areola to the bottom of your breast. The scar resembles a lollipop.
What Does a Breast Reduction Look Like?
This animation shows some of the techniques we can use to perform your breast reduction surgery.
Breast Reduction Procedure
How to Prepare for Breast Reduction Surgery
When we meet with you, we will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery. They may include:
- no smoking, if you smoke, well in advance of surgery (ideally before your consultation).
- avoiding recreational drugs, if you use them, and certain medications like aspirin and certain anti-inflammatories for a period of time before surgery.
- no eating or drinking after midnight prior to your surgery.
To prepare for your breast reduction recovery, you may want ensure that you have the supplies you’ll need in an easy-to-access area. These items may include:
- pain medication,
- clean washcloths and towels,
- loose, comfortable shirts,
- surgical bras, and
- gauze and antibiotic ointments (if your surgeon advises).
Before Surgery Begins
As we prepare you for surgery, we will:
- draw incision guidelines on your skin for the surgical techniques we plan to use.
- insert an IV that can deliver fluids, general anesthesia, a sedative, and pain medication to your body.
- apply monitors to your skin for your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
During Breast Reduction Surgery
We typically perform breast reduction as an outpatient procedure, and it lasts around three to four hours. To perform your breast reduction, your surgeon will:
- Make incisions on your breasts. We make them based on the surgical techniques we plan to use.
- Remove excess skin and breast tissue. This usually includes some of the fat and glandular tissue from your breasts.
- Reposition your nipples and areolae. As we move them to a higher position, we can also reduce the size of your areolae to complement your new breast size. Then, we reshape your breasts around your nipples and areolae.
- Ensure a symmetrical look. We will visually inspect your breasts for symmetry. At this time, we can also remove tissue from other areas to complement your new breasts, such as your sides or near your armpits.
- Close your incisions. We do this with dissolvable internal stitches (sutures), skin adhesive, and/or surgical tape. There will be no stitches to remove. If we remove a large amount of tissue, we may also insert surgical drains to allow fluids to escape as you heal.
After Surgery
We will apply bandages and a surgical bra to your breasts. You will rest in a recovery room for around two to three hours. Then, you should be ready to go home and will need someone to drive you. You will leave with instructions for your breast reduction recovery as well as prescription medications to help manage your pain and prevent infection.
Breast Reduction Risks
Most patients won’t have complications (problems) during breast reduction surgery. However, some of the risks that may occur after surgery include:
- bleeding,
- infection,
- fluid build-up (seroma),
- wound reopening (dehiscence),
- changes in nipple and breast sensation,
- breastfeeding challenges,
- loss of areolae, nipples, or fatty tissue due to the death of cells (necrosis),
- difference in breast size, shape, and symmetry, and
- additional surgery to address an issue.
What to Expect After Breast Reduction Surgery
As you heal from surgery, you can enjoy many of the benefits from your surgery early in your breast reduction recovery. If you had back, neck, or shoulder pain with your larger breasts, you may feel relief immediately after surgery. Plus, you should be able to enjoy greater freedom in your clothing choices and activities within a few weeks after your surgery.
Can Breasts Grow Back After Reduction?
The tissue that we remove from your breasts will not grow back. However, the breast tissue that remains after surgery could increase in size for many reasons, such as:
- hormonal changes due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause,
- significant weight gain,
- medications that affect your endocrine system, and
- physical growth if you weren’t fully developed before surgery (you were a teenager or a young woman).
Please bear in mind that this rarely happens. Talk with your surgeon or other healthcare provider if you have concerns about additional growth or need help to maintain your hormones and a healthy weight.
Make an Appointment with Our Plastic Surgeons
Call our office at 801-581-7719 to schedule an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons who are highly qualified in breast reduction.
Recovering from Breast Surgery
For a smooth recovery, you must follow your plastic surgeon's aftercare instructions. Learn what you can expect as your body heals after your breast surgery procedure.
