In my plastic surgery practice, many women come to me wanting larger breasts. However, I also have many patients who would like their breasts to be smaller. Very large breasts, especially on small-framed women, can cause significant physical discomfort, neck pain, back pain, rashes, posture problems, exercise interference, and even embarrassment.  

If your breasts have become uncomfortable and you feel they are too large, breast reduction surgery can bring about dramatic changes for you. As well as reducing the size and weight of your breasts, this procedure allows you to feel measurably better about yourself and your appearance. I also perform breast reduction on men, usually due to a condition called gynecomastia, where the breasts are abnormally enlarged.

In addition to breast reduction, I offer a complete range of breast procedures which you can learn about here.

Learn more about breast reduction in this short video

No matter which type of plastic surgery procedure my patients are considering, I truly believe that the best patient is an informed patient. It's very important to me that before you have a procedure, you have all the information you need to make the decision that's right for you. 

That's why I like providing short videos where I briefly explain a certain body enhancing procedure—in this case, breast reduction. You can read below what I talk about or you can watch my video by clicking here or on the image below.

Who is a good candidate for breast reduction?

I really like to think of breast reduction surgery as an operation that’s occurring on the chest but that is really being performed to relieve other symptoms. Yes it alleviates rashes and the size and shape of the breasts, but the patients who request breast reduction have a long history of neck, shoulder and back problems and pain. Perhaps they’ve seen a physical therapist or chiropractor or maybe even had back surgery. They’re chronically hunched over, and have deep grooves due to their bra straps. They may have deformities from the pain. These are things that are no longer bearable, and their lives are seriously affected due to the size of their breasts.

For these patients, breast reduction is a great solution and a very effective technique

Before considering a patient for this procedure, we look at their BMI (Body Mass Index), which is their current height and weight, and how that corresponds to the size of the reduction they’re seeking.

For some patients, simple weight loss will be an effective way of reducing the breasts

But for the most part, patients wanting breast reduction have enough tissue and enough fat that if they are very large breasted, some small modicum of weight loss is not going to substantially improve their symptoms.

What outcome can I expect?

Generally speaking, the procedure lasts an hour to an hour and a half. It’s outpatient surgery so you’re in and out in the same day. Patients, generally speaking, feel better right away. They’ll have some pain from the surgery, some discomfort from reducing the size of the breasts, but the neck, shoulder and back pain gets better almost immediately.

Recovery room patients will tell me they can feel that weight being lifted off the chest. Obviously that depends upon what size they started at and what size they went to, but breast reduction is a great operation for patients who are having these kinds of symptoms: neck, shoulder, back pain. They all do very well.

Some patients need more of a breast lift

For some of my patients, their breasts are a little droopy but they don’t have very large breasts. In these cases, breast reduction really doesn’t serve the purpose of helping with the symptoms. They really want to look better and feel better but it’s not so much about the neck, shoulder and back pain. For these patients, I would recommend a breast lift.

You may be a good candidate for breast reduction if:

• The size of your breasts is out of proportion with your body
• One breast is disproportionately larger than the other
• You have ongoing pain, back problems or other health problems from overly large breasts
• Wearing a bra with wide straps for at least 12 months has not helped relieve your discomfort
• Physical therapy for at least 6 months has not helped
• You are a man whose breast enlargement has not responded to medication and whose breast development is stable
• Your general health is good
• You have realistic expectations for the end results

Who is not a good candidate for breast reduction:

You may not be a good candidate if:

• You are pregnant, breastfeeding or recently stopped breastfeeding
• You have an abnormal mammogram or an undiagnosed breast condition
• You have a history of poor wound healing or a clotting disorder
• You are severely obese
• You have a severe illness or infection

I perform breast reduction surgery at the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester

For almost every plastic surgery procedure I perform, including breast reduction, I use the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester. Located in Harrison, NY, the Surgical Specialty Center has four operating rooms and an 11-bed recovery room. Each operating room is fully equipped with state-of-the-art anesthesia (provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist), emergency equipment and everything else I and my surgical team need to provide the highest standard of care to each one of our patients. To learn more, watch this short video.

How much does breast reduction cost?

One of the first questions many patients ask me when they’re considering breast reduction is how much it will cost. My answer is that there is no one standard price. Every woman’s breasts are unique, and the results she is seeking from breast reduction surgery are specific to her. Plus, she may have breast implants that she wants to exchange for a smaller size. For these reasons, I determine the exact cost of the procedure after I have met with the patient, evaluated her breasts, her overall physical condition and her personal goals and expectations. Then together, we decide how to achieve the best possible results. For further pricing details, please contact me.

Insurance coverage

It’s important to know that with breast reduction, if your symptoms are severe enough—neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain—it often will be covered by insurance companies. It’s a fairly common operation and usually covered.

Considering breast reduction?

Deciding to have breast reduction surgery is a big decision, impacting how your breasts look and how you will feel about your body for the rest of your life. If you are thinking about this procedure and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me and I will send you additional information prior to your appointment. I will assess the current appearance of your breasts, your reasons for wanting surgery, and your expectations. Then together, we will decide which options will bring you the results you’re looking for.

To learn more about breast reduction, I recommend these 3 blogs

So you can be fully informed about this important decision, I’ve written several blogs explaining the many aspects of breast reduction surgery:

• Would You Like Smaller, Less Painful Breasts? Consider Breast Reduction
• How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Take?
• When to Consider Breast Reduction

For more information on the many types of breast surgery I offer, please visit these pages on my website: 

You can find detailed information on my website about the many breast procedures available to you:

• Breast Procedures
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reconstruction
• Breast Reduction
• Breast Revision

Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Samuel J. Beran, MD is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Harrison and Mount Kisco, NY. With more than 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced techniques and technologies, Dr. Beran consistently provides his patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. Recently, Dr. Beran was named a “Top Doctor” by RealSelf for his dedication to responding to consumer questions and patient feedback. The “Top Doctor” designation is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf physician community.