This procedure offers several benefits. By reducing breast size, it eliminates the skin irritation that oversized breasts cause, preventing rashes under the breasts. By reducing the breasts’ weight, it alleviates the strain on bra straps, making painful shoulder indentations a thing of the past.

This reduction in breast weight helps patients sit and stand straighter. It also decreases physical stress on the neck, shoulders, and back, greatly reducing chronic pain in these areas.

Decreasing breast size and weight makes it much easier to exercise, play sports, and perform other physical activities. Additionally, it helps patients find clothing that fits better, including bras.

A breast reduction offers the benefits of a breast lift, reducing sagging and making the breasts firmer. It can decrease the size of overly large areolae, and it can correct size and shape asymmetries between the breasts.

If your oversized breasts have resulted in physical, emotional, and/or social symptoms, you’re likely a perfect candidate for breast reduction surgery.

If you’re experiencing physical issues like shoulder pain, neck pain, and back pain, this procedure is right for you. Painful bra-strap indentations, rashes beneath the breasts, and posture issues caused by overly large breasts are also markers of candidacy for a breast reduction.

Women experiencing emotional and social issues due to their overly large breasts are excellent candidates. Examples of these issues include constant unwanted attention, trouble finding properly fitting tops, and problems during physical activities like exercise and sports.

The best breast reduction candidates are in good overall health, are non-smokers, and do not have underlying health conditions that could lead to complications during surgery. Candidates must not be pregnant or breastfeeding, and patients must wait until at least six months have passed since breastfeeding.

Monarch Plastic Surgery and Skin Renewal Center is a state-of-the-art facility with an attentive staff and a welcoming atmosphere. At Monarch, our high standard of patient care ensures that patients receive the safe, high-quality results they deserve.

The wealth of knowledge and experience our renowned plastic surgeons possess ensures that they are the ideal choice for your breast reduction. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Carmen Kavali is one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, as chosen by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. Her articles have been published in medical publications, and she has lectured on the topic of breast reduction.

Fellowship-trained board-eligible aesthetic plastic surgeon Dr. Teri N. Moak is on a number of committees for professional plastic surgery societies. She is highly experienced in a wide variety of plastic surgery procedures and has also served as an educator, a guest lecturer, and an article writer for medical journals. Both Dr. Moak and Dr. Kavali are on staff at Perimeter Surgery Center and Northside Hospital.

During a breast reduction consultation with Dr. Kavali or Dr. Moak, patients will discuss the symptoms they have experienced due to their oversized breasts. They will also go over the results they would like to achieve in terms of breast aesthetics and symptom reduction. The surgeon will then advise them as to whether these results can be effectively achieved using breast reduction surgery.

The surgeon will perform a physical examination and will ask the patient questions about their medical history. These questions typically focus on details like medications the patient is currently taking, any allergies, medical procedures they have had performed, and any underlying medical conditions. Knowing this information will help the surgeon avoid complications during the procedure.

The surgeon will tell the patient about the various details of the breast reduction procedure to make sure they know exactly what to expect before, during, and afterwards. This will include the expected post-operative cup size; patients typically can expect to go down by at least one to two cup sizes.

Preparation and recovery will be discussed. Patients are highly encouraged to ask clarifying questions throughout the entirety of the consultation process.

Finally, the surgeon will create a surgical plan for the patient’s breast reduction procedure. A date will be chosen for the operation.

There are several steps that patients must take when preparing for their breast reduction. Along with coming in for a consultation, they may need to get a mammogram, especially if there is a family history of breast cancer. A complete blood count and an electrocardiogram must also be performed.

Patients will need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home from the surgery, since they will not be able to drive themselves home. This person should stay with the patient for the first night to make sure they have everything they need. They will also need to arrange for help during the first few days of recovery, including pet care and child care.

Patients will need to contact their employer and ask for one to two weeks off, depending on the directions of the surgeon. Additionally, patients must purchase all recommended recovery aids and prepare their sleeping area appropriately. Everything should be within easy reach, including pillows and towels.

For two weeks before the date of the breast reduction, patients must not take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications thin the blood and can result in excessive bleeding during surgery, along with exacerbated post-surgical bruising. Certain herbal supplements can also thin the blood and must be avoided. Additionally, patients must not drink alcohol for a time before surgery.

At the start of a breast reduction, the patient will be placed under general anesthesia. They will be unconscious throughout the procedure and will not be able to feel any pain or discomfort.

Once the general anesthesia takes effect, the chosen incisions will be created. Excess glandular breast tissue, fatty tissue, and skin will be removed. Liposuction may be used to remove the excess fat, while scalpel excision will be used to trim away the excess skin and remove the glandular breast tissue.

Once the appropriate amount of tissue has been removed, the breasts’ underlying tissues will be recontoured to create a lifted and perky appearance. The areolae will be repositioned and/or resized to fit the breasts’ new dimensions. The incisions will be sealed with sutures and then dressed.

Immediately following your breast reduction operation, you will be transferred to a recovery room. Since a breast reduction is an outpatient surgery, you will not need to spend the night in a hospital recovering afterwards. You will be able to rest and recuperate in the recovery room before being taken home by a friend or family member.

During your breast reduction recovery, it will be very important to follow the instructions of Dr. Kavali and Dr. Moak. Their directions will help you reduce the chance of post-surgical complications and increase the likelihood of satisfactory results. Please make sure to contact our office with questions at any time during your healing period.

Once you have been driven home after your breast reduction procedure, you will need to take time to rest. Taking one to two weeks off from work is also required; this will allow you to focus on healing without distractions.

You will need to avoid physically taxing activities like heavy lifting and sports for around six weeks. Light walks will be encouraged beginning at the start of the recovery process, since this will help prevent blood-clot formation.

For four to six weeks of the reduction mammoplasty recovery process, you will need to wear a surgical bra in order to support the tissues as they heal. You will notice swelling and bruising in the area. The surgical bra will help control swelling, and ice packs can be used on the breasts to further address bruising and swelling.

You may experience a reduction in nipple or areola sensation, which is typically temporary. It can take time to return, since the nerves need to heal and regrow. You will experience a degree of pain and discomfort for a time during recovery; painkillers will be prescribed and should be taken as directed. Antibiotics will also be prescribed to ensure that the incisions do not get infected.

Showering should be avoided at the start of your breast reduction recovery; instead, carefully take sponge baths or use body wipes. Do not wash your incision sites at this time. When you are cleared to shower, you will need to very carefully and gently wash the incision sites. Bathing should be avoided for at least six to eight weeks.

You will need to meet with Dr. Kavali or Dr. Moak for follow-up appointments as directed. These will allow the doctor to evaluate healing, remove stitches from incisions, check for any complications, clear you for certain activities, and see how the results of the surgery are looking.

The resolution of physical issues like chronic pain and rashes will typically be experienced immediately following the procedure. The breasts will return to a more natural shape and appearance over time. Once all healing is complete, your final breast reduction results will be apparent. Your breasts will look smaller and in better proportion to your frame. The satisfaction rate for this procedure is very high.

Breast reduction cost depends on the details of the patient’s reduction mammoplasty procedure. The price may be affected by anesthesia fees, the techniques used during surgery, and the total time required to perform the breast reduction.

Since breast reduction surgery is often medically necessary to treat issues like chronic back, shoulder, and neck pain, it frequently receives health insurance coverage. Check with your health insurance provider to find out if your breast reduction will be considered functional and can receive coverage.

For patients who are interested in financing options, we have partnered with CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit. These companies provide payment plans to help patients cover the cost of procedures.

At Monarch Plastic Surgery and Skin Renewal Center, our plastic surgeons regularly perform breast reductions for Atlanta and Sandy Springs patients. Contact our office and set up a consultation to meet with one of our surgeons, who will answer any questions you may have.