What is Breast Reduction?
Many women with very large breasts may suffer from a variety of medical problems as well as physical discomfort. These problems range from back/neck pain and skin irritation to skeletal deformities and even breathing problems. In addition, bra straps may leave shoulder indentations. Performed by female plastic surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville in Tennessee, breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure that removes skin, fat, and glandular tissue from the breasts. Treatment makes the breasts smaller, lighter, and firmer, and can also be performed to reduce areola size.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis and usually requires two to three hours to complete. As with breast lifts, the incisions and subsequent scar location on the breast are determined by how much tissue needs to be removed to alleviate your symptoms. Many of our patients obtain the best results with a vertical or short scar reduction. With this procedure, incisions are placed around the areola and straight down. In other patients who require removal of significant skin and tissue, the surgeon makes an anchor-shaped incision around the areola straight down and then in the crease under the breast. After the incision is made, fat, glandular tissue and skin are extracted and the areola and nipple are repositioned. Liposuction is sometimes used to remove any excess fat around the armpit. If only fat removal is required, we use liposuction exclusively.
During most reduction surgeries, the nipples will remain attached to the nerves and blood vessels. In cases where breasts are extremely large, the areolas and nipples may be removed completely and then repositioned. This will result in loss of nipple sensation as well as loss of sensation in the surrounding tissue. Stitches will be placed along the surgical incisions.
Schedule an online consultation with our surgeons to decide if a breast reduction is right for you.
After Breast Reduction Surgery
After breast reduction surgery, you may have small tubes inserted into each breast in order to drain excess fluids. The operation area will be wrapped in gauze dressings and a surgical bra or a protective elastic bandage. Pain or discomfort after surgery is common for the first few days to a week. Two days after treatment, the bandages will be removed, though you will continue to wear the surgical bra for several weeks, until the bruising and swelling go down. After one week, any stitches on the outside will be removed; however, the majority of sutures are inside and will dissolve over time.
Breast Reduction Recovery
You may experience pain in your breast the first time you menstruate after surgery. Random shooting pains may occur for several months after the procedure and you may experience a loss of sensation in the nipples and breast skin as a result of swelling. The numbness or loss of sensation usually fades over the next six weeks, but the condition sometimes persists in some patients for a year or more. In a rare instance, the loss of sensation is permanent. Most patients return to work in about two weeks.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to book your procedure with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and begin your aesthetic journey!
Potential Breast Reduction Risks
At our cosmetic surgery practice in Nashville, we perform many reduction surgeries and achieve exceptional results. Yet, as with any surgery, there is always the possibility of complications. Some potential complications following breast reduction surgery include infection, excessive bleeding, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Surgery may affect breastfeeding since the milk ducts are removed during the procedure. On rare occasions, the nipple and surrounding tissue may lose blood supply. If this should occur, the areola and nipple can usually be reconstructed using skin grafts.
Meet the Doctors
Learn about our Board-Certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose two RealSelf 500 award winners for your next procedure!
Meet the Doctors
Learn about our Board-Certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose two RealSelf 500 award winners for your next procedure!
Breast Reduction Cost in Nashville
The cost of breast reduction in Nashville depends on multiple factors, including how much tissue is to be removed, whether a breast lift will also be performed, and the extent of the surgery. To get an accurate cost analysis, schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons to find out more.
Nashville Breast Reduction Surgery FAQs
All surgery has risks. Potential complications with breast reduction surgery include a loss of breast tissue if blood flow is altered (this risk is greater with smokers), asymmetry, scarring and potential breast-feeding impacts. To reduce risk to minimal levels, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery.
Many women are concerned about having a breast reduction before having children. They fear it may negatively affect their ability to breastfeed, or that their breast may grow. A breast reduction can reduce your chances of breastfeeding successfully. You should discuss these concerns with your plastic surgeon during your consultation.
Each patient has a different experience with pain after surgery. Most of our patients describe post breast reduction discomfort as mild to moderate. Whatever the level, we will make your recovery as comfortable as possible with prescribed oral pain medication.
We recommend you contact your insurance carrier to see if they will cover the cost of your breast reduction surgery. While we are happy to see you in our office, we do not participate with any insurance networks at this time.
Ideal candidates experience chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain, skin irritation beneath their breasts, grooves from bra straps, discomfort when exercising, or self-consciousness due to breast size. You may qualify for this surgery if you are a nonsmoker in good health with realistic expectations about the outcomes.
Many women report significant improvements in posture and ease of movement after breast reduction. This surgery reduces spinal strain and hunching over by making your breasts lighter. Postoperative patients often report that they are far more comfortable doing physical activities like jogging, yoga, or strength training.
During your consultation, your surgeon will measure your breast size, evaluate your skin elasticity, and determine your breast-to-body proportion to create a personalized surgical plan. Arrive at this private meeting prepared to have a candid discussion of your goals for smaller, shapelier, and more symmetrical breasts.
Initial recovery typically lasts one to two weeks, during which you might experience swelling, bruising, and mild to moderate discomfort. You can manage pain and swelling by taking prescription medications and wearing your support garments as instructed.
Most patients return to non-strenuous work within two weeks. Please avoid exercise and heavy lifting until your surgeon clears you to resume. Full recovery, including final shape and scar fading, typically occurs over several months.
Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation can occur due to nerve adjustments during surgery. Sensation typically returns partially or fully within several months. Permanent numbness is uncommon but possible depending on the extent of tissue removal and surgical technique. Your surgeon will ensure you understand these risks.
Breast reduction provides long‑lasting relief if you stay within your target body weight. Future weight fluctuations or pregnancy can affect breast size and shape.
Drs. Gingrass and Haws carefully place incisions and meticulously close them to minimize visible scarring. Over the first year, scars usually flatten and fade significantly. Ask your surgeon for personalized recommendations if you worry about prominent scars.
Well-fitted bras and physical therapy may help temporarily but do not address the root cause. Non-surgical procedures do not remove excess tissue, so they are less effective.
Preoperative steps include undergoing a physical exam and possibly mammogram, quitting smoking at least four weeks before your scheduled date, avoiding medications and supplements that increase bleeding, maintaining a healthy weight, and preparing an at-home recovery space. Arranging transportation home and help during the first few days is essential.
Postoperative visits typically occur within one week, then periodically over the next several months. During these visits, your surgeon will monitor your weight stability, healing progress, scar maturation, and satisfaction.