Carrying more weight than you're built for can affect your neck, back, and shoulders every single day. Breast reduction offers real, lasting relief along with a more balanced shape.
At Southern Surgical Arts in St. Petersburg, board-certified surgeons help patients find relief from both the physical and emotional weight of oversized breasts. Every plan is built around your body and your comfort, not just the final look. If you're ready to explore your options, schedule a consultation with our St. Petersburg team today.
A breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, removes excess breast tissue to decrease size and restore a more proportionate, comfortable shape. During the procedure, the nipple-areola complex is repositioned and the breasts are lifted and reshaped as part of the process.
This pattern combines an oblong incision around the areola with a vertical incision down to the breast crease, suited to a moderate amount of tissue removal.
The most commonly used pattern in breast reduction, this technique adds a horizontal incision along the breast crease to the vertical pattern, allowing for more significant reshaping.
Breast reduction can sometimes affect milk ducts and nerves involved in breastfeeding, so it's worth discussing your plans for future breastfeeding during your consultation. Many women are still able to breastfeed afterward, though results can vary.
Breast reduction is sometimes partially covered by insurance when it's performed to relieve documented physical symptoms like back or neck pain, though cosmetic-only cases are typically not covered. Your surgeon can help you understand what documentation might support a claim.
Most patients experience manageable discomfort rather than significant pain, and it's typically controlled with prescribed medication during the first several days.
Scars are a normal part of breast reduction surgery and are placed using techniques designed to keep them as discreet as possible. They generally fade over the following months, though they don't disappear entirely.
Very large breasts can sometimes make it harder to detect lumps or masses during self-exams or mammograms, so a reduction may make routine screening somewhat easier for some patients. This isn't a primary reason most patients pursue the procedure, but it can be a helpful side benefit.
Your surgeon will discuss target sizing during your consultation, taking into account your body proportions, lifestyle, and goals, so your results feel both comfortable and balanced for your frame.
As with any surgical procedure, breast reduction carries some risk of infection, bleeding, scarring, or changes in nipple sensation. These risks are minimized when performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon.
