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Reduction Mammoplasty (breast reduction): reduces breast size, lifts breast tissue, as well as reducing the areola size. Breast tissue, fat and skin are surgically removed. This treatment is indicated for disproportionately large, heavy, sagging breasts. It may relieve some neck and back pain, and help alleviate shoulder grooves. Patients must not smoke prior to surgery and while recovering. Breasts are smaller, more perky and firm.


Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Will my insurance pay for a breast reduction operation?

A: Most insurance companies will pay for non-cosmetic procedures, including breast reduction if it is medically necessary. You will have to check with your insurance company to be sure and, of course, we send a letter of preauthorization if, after the consultation, the operation is right for you.


Q: Will having a breast reduction alleviate my neck and back pain?

A: Most people who come in for a breast reduction complain of neck and back pain, as well as some pain in the breasts themselves. In my experience, those symptoms improve in over 99% of people, although there is the occasional person who has an actual ruptured disk or some such neck or back problem that is not going to be repaired by the breast reduction operation. However, if you have large, heavy, pendulous breasts, then naturally the removal of excess weight is going to at least make one somewhat more comfortable. Many of our patients are so improved they are able to resume exercise programs comfortably and lose considerable weight as a secondary benefit.


Q: I have heard there are a lot of different techniques. Which one do you use?

A: There are many, many different techniques in breast reduction, many of which only differ slightly. Most every surgeon uses several of these techniques in one way or the other to get the best results. I tend to use a variation of the inferior pedicle technique that is widely regarded as the most reliable and safest of the techniques. Having done well over 500 breast reductions in the last 10 years, I have my own modifications that improve the results and cut down on the anesthesia time.


Q: I have heard that this operation takes 5-6 hours. Isn't that a long time to be under anesthesia?

A: Physicians who haven't done many of these operations or who don't do them often may take that long in order to get a satisfactory result. In my clinic, we do anywhere from 2-10 of these operations every month and consequently not only am I very familiar with the procedure, so too are my assistants and nurses. The result of this is that our average time for the operation is 2 hours, which greatly reduces anesthetic risks, nausea, vomiting, and so on.


Q: What size will I be after the operation?

A: The answer to this will largely be determined in consultation with Dr. Wallace. Generally, we try to make you proportionate to the rest of your body and retain a feminine appearance. If you particularly want to be larger or smaller, you can discuss that with Dr. Wallace and that will, of course, be taken into account.


Q: Can I have a tummy tuck or liposuction at the same time?

A: If you are in good health and don't have any other complicating factors, it is probably reasonable to have some other cosmetic type operation simultaneously. There are limits, of course, as to what is reasonable and that will have to be discussed on an individual basis with Dr. Wallace.


Q: Do I have to spend the night in the hospital?

A: We do almost all of our breast reduction operations either in our Surgery Center adjacent to the office or at other Day Surgery Centers that offer overnight stay capability. Most insurance companies will cover one night stay after breast reduction such that you are being taken care of by a professional nurse the first night. This is usually in the patient's best interest, though it is not absolutely necessary in every case.


Q: Will I have staples or stitches to be removed at a later time?

A: Rarely are there stitches or staples that have to be removed. Almost all of our sutures are placed under the surface of the skin so as to minimize the potential for scarring and the necessity for removal procedures.


Q: How long do I have to take off work?

A: Most people with administrative jobs can have the surgery and be back at work a week to ten days later. More physical jobs may require additional time off before returning to work.


Q: I have heard that some doctors do breast reduction with only liposuction. What do you think about that?

A: Indeed, ultrasonic liposuction alone can constitute a breast reduction in some patients, particularly those who don't need a large reduction and who do not have a particularly saggy situation. This, however, is a very limited number of patients and would require personal evaluation with Dr. Wallace. We have done a number of these cases in our clinic with good results but only in very carefully selected patients.