Find local board certified plastic surgeons that specialize in Breast Reduction

When breasts develop to a volume of more than a liter or so, they become an encumbrance for which partial amputation is the only treatment.

About Breast Reductions

Although the correlation of breast size with general body weight is common, there are conditions of progressive breast hypertrophy, even in patients who are not generally obese, the causes of which are not known.

This can result in uncomfortably large breasts with a combined weight too great to carry, causing back pain, exhaustion and embarrassment. Breast reduction can now be accomplished in such a way that a reasonably sized and shaped breast can be achieved. Usually, nipple sensation and lactation remain intact. In rare cases, very large breasts, with a super-sternal notch to nipple distance greater than 40 centimeters and measuring liters in volume, may require nipple removal and replacement as a skin graft, in which case sensation and lactation are not likely.

The Best Candidates for Breast Reduction

Breast reduction can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. The best candidates for breast reduction are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look and women who need relief from excessive back pain. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

The Cost of Breast Reduction

$4,220 is the national average cost for breast reduction, though accounts for the physician's fee only. The total cost for a procedure may vary by physician and include additional fees for anesthesia, surgical center or hospital stay, supplies, and other necessities.