Overly large breasts can lead to both physical discomfort and emotional distress, including:
- Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain.
- Difficulty exercising.
- Feelings of self-consciousness.
- Persistent skin irritation.
At the UPMC Department of Plastic Surgery, we understand these challenges and offer personalized reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction surgery) to help relieve your symptoms, improve your comfort, enhance mobility, and restore your confidence.
Schedule a Breast Reduction Consultation
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Reduction mammaplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce breast size and reshape the breasts. This surgery also includes a breast lift to enhance projection, symmetry, and contour. Breast reduction surgery is often medically necessary and may qualify for insurance coverage.
What conditions do you treat?
Breast reduction surgery offers multiple physical and emotional benefits to address a variety of conditions caused by large breasts, including:
- Alleviating chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain.
- Boosting self-esteem and comfort in clothing.
- Correcting breast asymmetry or developmental breast conditions.
- Enhancing breast shape and overall body proportions.
- Improving posture and increasing physical activity tolerance.
- Relieving persistent skin irritation and bra strap indentations.
Many patients describe breast reduction surgery as transformative, significantly improving their quality of life.
Who is Eligible for Breast Reduction Surgery?
You may be a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery if you are experiencing:
- Challenges in finding clothing that fits properly.
- Chronic physical discomfort.
- Difficulty engaging in physical activity.
- Emotional or psychological stress related to breast size.
- Persistent skin irritation beneath the breasts.
Ideal candidates for breast reduction also typically:
- Are nonsmokers or willing to quit smoking before surgery.
- Experience daily symptoms impacting their quality of life.
- Have fully developed breasts, often size D or larger.
- Maintain overall good health with no conditions impairing healing.
Our advanced practice providers (APPs) and plastic surgeons will thoroughly evaluate your situation to determine your candidacy and help secure insurance coverage when applicable.
What Breast Surgery Procedures Do You Offer?
At UPMC, our board-certified plastic surgeons use advanced techniques tailored to your individual needs for optimal outcomes:
- Integrated breast lift — Every breast reduction includes breast lift techniques to enhance breast projection, shape, and symmetry.
- Liposuction-assisted reduction — For select patients, liposuction may be used to enhance contour and minimize scarring.
- Superomedial pedicle technique — This method preserves the long-term breast shape and helps maintain nipple sensation.
- Wise-pattern (anchor) or vertical (lollipop) incisions — Incision patterns are selected based on your breast size, skin quality, and desired aesthetic results.
What to Expect During Your Initial Consultation
Your first appointment begins with a detailed consultation with one of our experienced APPs. During this session, we will:
- Discuss your symptoms and medical history.
- Explain functional (medically necessary) vs. cosmetic breast reduction.
- Outline conservative treatments required by insurance before surgery.
- Create a customized treatment and documentation plan.
Conservative therapies may include:
- Essential medical screenings (e.g., mammogram, endocrinology, cardiology).
- Medical nutrition guidance for weight management.
- Physical therapy for back, neck, or shoulder pain.
- Smoking cessation support.
- Topical creams or powders for skin irritation relief.
Next steps
- Follow up via telemedicine in approximately six weeks to assess symptom progress and adherence to conservative treatments.
- Schedule a surgical consultation with the plastic surgeon of your choice for a comprehensive exam, breast volume assessment, and photography.
- Submit the documentation to your insurance for approval. (This process may take up to six weeks.)
What to Expect During Your Surgical Consultation
During your detailed surgical consultation with our expert plastic surgeons, we will:
- Answer all your questions with compassion and transparency.
- Conduct a physical examination and review your medical history.
- Clearly outline your personalized surgical plan and incision approach.
- Discuss recovery expectations, outcomes, and timelines.
- Estimate the volume of tissue to be removed.
- Review risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Take standardized photographs for documentation and insurance purposes.
Why Choose UPMC for Your Breast Reduction Surgery?
The UPMC Department of Plastic Surgery is nationally recognized for excellence, safety, and patient-focused care. Our commitment includes:
- A compassionate environment emphasizing respect, expertise, and individualized support.
- A multidisciplinary care team dedicated to your safety and satisfaction.
- Board-certified plastic surgeons renowned for their expertise.
- Cutting-edge, evidence-based techniques and a focus on aesthetic and functional results.
-
Guidance through the entire insurance and postsurgical recovery process.
View Our Before and After Gallery
Our Locations
Pittsburgh
