Breast Reduction In New York City

Breast reduction surgery can help you dramatically improve the shape, size and firmness of your breasts. Many women wish that their breasts were smaller so that they would look more proportionate to their body size. Others want to alleviate the discomfort caused by overly large, heavy breasts.

The most important thing to remember is that you want to find the right surgeon who is right for you. Choosing the right surgeon is one of the key elements in helping you achieve a satisfying result following breast reduction surgery. Look for a well-qualified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience performing this procedure, as well as being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or from another prominent certification body. It is important that you have an understanding of your goals prior to proceeding with surgery and feel confident in your surgeon’s ability to meet those goals

Breast Reduction In New York City

Breast Reduction – Why Women Choose Dr. Naidu In NYC

The size, shape and proportion of a woman’s breasts can affect her self-perception, her femininity, and even her sense of physical balance. In the case of women with large breasts, the physical weight of her breasts can cause significant neck and back pain. Women who undergo breast reduction surgery (also known as reduction mammoplasty) are extremely happy with the results. The most frequent comment we hear following breast reduction surgery is, “I wish I’d done this sooner!”

The art of breast reduction involves much more than removing tissue from the breasts. It is a creative endeavor that improves a woman’s physical beauty, reduces physical pain, and enhances her self-confidence. Dr. Nina S. Naidu is a female plastic surgeon in New York City (NYC). She and her staff are dedicated to providing women in NYC with the highest quality of care possible.

About Breast Reduction in NYC

Overly large breasts can have a negative impact on your confidence and self-esteem. Many women have been teased or objectified due to their breast size. They may have also suffered back and neck pain due to the weight of their breasts, often to the point that it is difficult to engage in daily activities. Finally, women with large breasts often have a difficult time choosing flattering clothing because their breast size is out of proportion with the rest of their body.

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the breasts by removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin. This is one of the most gratifying surgeries performed by plastic surgeons due to its positive impact on patients’ lives.

Deciding to Have a Breast Reduction

Unlike many other plastic surgery procedures, patients who are seeking breast reduction surgery in NYC are ready! They are tired of the emotional and physical consequences of large breasts. They’ve dreamed of a breast reduction for years (sometimes decades). Their goal is to find a surgeon who can create smaller breasts that will be comfortable, beautiful and proportional to their body.

Your First Consultation with Dr. Naidu in NYC

The first part of the breast reduction process is a comprehensive consultation in our NYC office. Dr. Naidu will get to know you and your goals for the surgery. Some women have a specific cup size in mind; others are focused solely on reducing their neck and back pain. For women involved in sports, reducing their breast size can decrease the physical stress on their bodies and improve their athletic performance.

During your consultation, you will need to tell Dr. Naidu about your medical history and your use of medications, nicotine, alcohol or supplements. She will want to know about any previous surgeries, including surgeries on your breasts. If you plan to become pregnant or breastfeed in the future, Dr. Naidu will explain the impact that motherhood will have on your breasts, so that you can make an informed decision about breast reduction surgery.

Dr. Naidu will conduct a physical examination of your skin and the soft tissue of your breasts. She will document the emotional and physical issues related to your large breasts. These may include deep grooves in your shoulders caused by bra strap pressure, skin irritation under your breasts, and difficulty sleeping. Dr. Naidu will also measure the base width of your breasts and the amount of existing breast tissue. These measurements will be used to plan your surgery and determine the ideal size of your breasts.

At this appointment, we will take pre-operative photographs. These photographs are an important part of your surgical planning and are considered part of your medical record. They will never be shown to other patients without your written permission.

At the end of the consultation, Dr. Naidu will let you know if you are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. She will educate you about how the surgery is performed so that you can make an informed decision. She will never pressure you to schedule the procedure.

Your Second Consultation with Dr. Naidu in NYC

If you decide to proceed with breast reduction surgery, you will have a second consultation with Dr. Naidu in our NYC office. At this appointment, Dr. Naidu will discuss the ideal size of your reduced breasts. This size is based your anatomy, your preferred breast size, and on what Dr. Naidu believes will look natural and be aesthetically pleasing.

Dr. Naidu will also explain her plan for your surgery. She will let you know the length of your surgery, the location of your incisions, and what to expect during your recovery. You will also complete the necessary paperwork for this surgery.

Depending on your medical history, Dr. Naidu may advise you to discontinue certain medications prior to surgery. If you are a smoker, you may not smoke for eight weeks before or after surgery. For your safety, Dr. Naidu may also order additional screening tests (such as a mammogram) or request preoperative clearance from your primary care physician.

Going Through Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery takes between two and three hours and is performed in a NYC ambulatory surgery center. Dr. Naidu prefers using general anesthesia so that you will be completely comfortable during the surgery.

The evening prior to surgery, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight. This ensures that you have an empty stomach prior to surgery, which is very important for your safety.

You will meet with Dr. Naidu immediately before your breast reduction. She will make several marks on your breasts for use during surgery, as well as answer any additional questions that you may have.

Once you are under anesthesia, Dr. Naidu begins the surgery by making careful incisions. The location of the incisions is determined by your anatomy and the amount of tissue being removed.

Once the incision is made, the nipple is repositioned and the size of the areola is reduced. Excess breast tissue is removed, and then lifted and shaped. Incisions are brought together using layers of sutures to support your smaller breasts.

Breast Reduction Recovery

You will wake up following surgery with dressings on your incisions and a light support bra on your breasts. You will be excited to notice that your chest looks smaller and feels lighter!

After being carefully monitored, you will be allowed to go home the same day. You must have someone to escort you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours.

Dr. Naidu will also give you a prescription for pain management, as well instructions about how to take care of your incisions. Stitches will be removed within two weeks. Swelling may persist for up to three weeks following your reduction. It is imperative that you follow your post-surgical instructions.

Activity Following Breast Reduction Surgery

Light activity is encouraged following surgery, but heavy lifting, exercise, and sexual activity should be avoided for two weeks.

Many of Dr. Naidu’s patients are strong, independent women who are reluctant to ask for help. These patients need to understand that breast reduction is real surgery and that some level of post-surgical assistance will be required. We strongly recommend that you create a plan to take care of yourself and your family, so that you can focus on your recovery.

Complications of Breast Reduction Surgery

During your consultation, Dr. Naidu will explain the risks of breast reduction surgery so that you can make an informed decision. As with other surgeries, the risks of breast reduction include bleeding, infection and scarring. In addition, some women experience a loss of feeling in their nipples or breasts, although this usually resolves with time.

Complications from breast reduction can be mitigated by choosing a skilled surgeon, providing a thorough medical history, and carefully following your pre-operative and post- operative instructions.

Cost of Breast Reduction Surgery in NYC

Breast reduction is generally covered by insurance plans. Our staff will work with you to obtain insurance approval by helping to document that more conservative measures (such as physical therapy, support bras or skin creams) did not resolve the physical discomfort created by your large breasts. If you have any documentation from outside providers, such as chiropractors or physical therapists, please bring this with you to your initial office visit.

Choosing Dr. Naidu for Breast Reduction in NYC

Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast comprise a large part of Dr. Naidu’s NYC surgical practice. She has a special interest in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery.

In addition to breast reduction, Dr. Naidu offers patients a full range of breast implants. Since 2006, Dr. Naidu has served as a clinical investigator in the Breast Implant Follow-Up Studies (BIFS) trials.

Dr. Naidu completed her undergraduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University and obtained her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. After completing her general surgery and plastic surgery training at New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center, she performed an additional year of fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Naidu is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Breast Reduction Surgery For Very Large Breasts

Very large breasts can be associated with both health and emotional issues. In addition to feeling self-conscious about their breast size, women may experience back, neck, and shoulder pain, rashes beneath the breasts, and indentations on the shoulders from their brassiere straps. Some women are extremely self-conscious of the size of their breasts, and may have difficulty finding bras and clothing that fit properly. Breast reduction surgery removes excess glandular tissue and skin from the breasts. The areola, which is the pigmented skin around the nipple, is also reduced in size. The goal is produce breasts that are smaller, lifted, and more proportional to the patient’s body.

During your initial consultation with Dr. Naidu, she will discuss with you your desires and expectations from surgery. This will involve a complete medical history and an examination of the breasts and lymph nodes.  Patients over 35 years of age are requested to obtain a baseline mammogram prior to surgery.

The Techniques Used For Breast Reduction

The techniques used for breast reduction involve either an anchor incision (the incision encircles the areola, extends downward, and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast) or the vertical short scar incision (incision line around areola and vertical line downwards only). The particular technique selected depends upon both the amount of breast tissue to be removed and your individual measurements. With both techniques, excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin are removed and the nipple-areolar complex is moved into its new position. The skin from both sides of the breast is then brought down and draped over the lifted and reshaped breast. In most cases, the nipple-areolar complex remains attached to its blood vessels and nerves. However, if the breasts are very large or pendulous, the complex may have to be completely removed and grafted into a higher position. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes between two and three hours to perform. Surgery is performed in an outpatient facility, and patients are able to return home the same day.

Following Breast Reduction Surgery

Following surgery, the breasts may remain swollen for several weeks, although most patients report minimal pain. Most sutures placed are dissolvable and will not require removal. Patients are advised to take one week off work. An underwire bra may be worn four weeks after surgery. Light activity including walking is permitted the day following surgery, and strenuous activity is permitted two weeks following surgery.

When to Consider a Breast Reduction

You are a good candidate for a breast reduction if you are physically healthy; do not smoke; your breasts limit your physical activity; you experience back, neck, or shoulder pain secondary to the weight of your breasts; you have indentations from your bra straps; you note skin irritation beneath your breasts; your breasts hang low and have stretched; your nipples rest below the breast crease when unsupported; and/or you have enlarged areolae.

BREAST REDUCTION

GREENWALD PLASTIC SURGERY

The Dr. Greenwald ADVANTAGE

• An experienced plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of breast surgeries and is known for achieving natural results
• Served as a clinical investigator for cohesive silicone gel implants
• Thousands of before and after photos for your review
• Frequently sought after expert for revision breast surgery
• Named a TOP DOCTOR in New York every year since 2012
• Operates in a state-of-the-art surgical center that prides itself on patient safety

Breast Reduction Surgery in New York City & Westchester County

What Breast Reduction Accomplishes

Joshua A. Greenwald, MD, FACS, sees many patients who are bothered by the size of their overly enlarged breasts. Some of these women suffer from neck, shoulder and back pain caused by their extremely large breasts. Also, they often complain that their overly enlarged breasts make physical activities such as running difficult or even painful. In addition, many women with extremely large breasts feel self-conscious or downright embarrassed about their breasts. Fortunately, Dr. Greenwald performs breast reduction surgery to address the physical, aesthetic and emotional concerns associated with overly enlarged breasts. Take a look at our breast reduction reviews and testimonials page as well. Dr. Greenwald also has breast size reduction charts so you can choose from many different options.

Who Is a Suitable Breast Reduction Candidate?

Prospective breast reduction candidates in New York City must meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon to establish if they are suitable candidates for the procedure. Only a well-trained and highly experienced surgeon such as Dr. Greenwald can correctly verify if someone is a suitable breast reduction candidate. Nonetheless, suitable candidates often include those who:

• Have overly enlarged breasts that affect everyday activities, including exercising
• Suffer from pain or discomfort caused by extremely large breasts
• Frequently find themselves hunching forward from the weight of their breasts
• Experience skin indentations or rashes on the shoulders, from their bra
• Are self-conscious about or unhappy with the size of their large breasts
• Would like smaller, more lifted breasts
• In general, have a positive self-image, but are concerned with the size of their large breasts
• Are in good overall physical and mental health
• Have realistic expectations for the results of breast reduction surgery, and are seeking aesthetic (and physical) improvement — not necessarily perfection
• Have made an independent choice to pursue breast reduction surgery
• Are not breastfeeding currently (It is best for women who are nursing to wait 12 weeks after they have ceased breastfeeding to undergo breast surgery, so their natural breast size can be determined.)

Incision Methods

Depending on the patient’s anatomical needs and aesthetic concerns, Dr. Greenwald will recommend one of two breast reduction surgical techniques. The technique chosen determines which incision method is used.

With the short scar breast reduction technique, the New York City breast surgeon makes a periareolar incision (around the perimeter of the areola: the darkly pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) as well as a vertical incision that extends from the bottom border of the areola down to the fold of the breast.

With the conventional breast reduction technique, Dr. Greenwald makes a periareolar incision; a vertical incision; and an inframammary incision, which extends horizontally, underneath the natural crease of the breast.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

The NYC breast surgeon performs breast reduction surgery on an outpatient basis, under general anesthesia so the patient remains comfortable throughout surgery.

After he makes the needed incisions, Dr. Greenwald eliminates excess breast tissue and skin, mostly from the lower region of the breast. He moves the nipple to a higher position on the breast, taking care to keep the nipple attached to the underlying tissue to maintain nipple sensation. The Manhattan cosmetic surgeon usually needs to decrease the size of the areola as well, so it is in proportion to the smaller breast size. He makes sure that the breasts are symmetrical prior to using sutures to close the incisions. Lastly, he wraps the breasts in bandages as well as a surgical bra, which provides additional support to the area.

Recovering from Surgery

Before the day of surgery, breast reduction patients receive complete instructions about how to care for the breasts prior to and after the procedure. After breast reduction surgery with the board-certified New York City plastic surgeon:

• Most of Dr. Greenwald’s breast reduction patients are able to resume their usual routine within days of their surgical procedure.
• Many breast reduction patients need only a small amount of pain medication or none at all.
• Most individuals experience little to no bruising.
• Some individuals notice changes in breast sensation, which are usually temporary but, rarely, can be permanent. These changes in sensation may include pain, discomfort, soreness, a tingling feeling or numbness. Changes in nipple sensation do not typically occur with this procedure, but if they do, they are normally temporary.
• Patients are permitted to resume their fitness routine three weeks following surgery.
• It is advised that patients sleep in a sports bra for three months.

Recovery Chart

How Much Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cost?

The three primary costs of breast reduction surgery in New York City include: the plastic surgeon’s fee, the cost of the anesthesiologist’s services and the operating facility fee. The total cost of breast reduction surgery varies based on the complexity of the procedure as well as the patient’s anatomical needs and cosmetic objectives.

How can I determine what my ideal breast cup size is?

Your ideal breast size is dependent on several things, including your personal preference, height, body frame, anatomy and lifestyle. For example, if you are petite with thin skin or little body fat, a smaller or moderate breast size may be best. Women who lead an active lifestyle may feel most comfortable with a small to moderate breast size instead of large breasts that can make exercise and moving more difficult. Ultimately, only you can decide what your ideal breast size is. Dr. Greenwald will use his expertise in order to make his recommendations and help you choose the breast size that you are most happy with.

Can breast tissue grow back after breast reduction?

Breast tissue can grow back following breast reduction. This can occur as a result of weight fluctuations during and after pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding and the normal aging process. The best way to maintain you breast reduction results is by following a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy and stable weight.

When is breast reduction medically necessary?

Breast reduction is considered to be medically necessary when the patient experiences medical conditions as a result of her overly large breasts, including back/neck/shoulder pain or skin infections.

Do I need a breast lift, too?

Patients who have breast reduction surgery also have their breasts lifted! The nipple is relocated to a higher, more aesthetic position on the chest wall after the excess, hanging breast tissue is removed.

Can I breastfeed after breast reduction?

It is possible to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery. It is important to keep in mind that breastfeeding and pregnancy will alter the size and shape of the breast whether you had breast reduction surgery or not.

What are the potential side effects and risks associated with breast reduction surgery?

Side effects of breast reduction include swelling, bruising, soreness and tenderness after the procedure. These side effects are only temporary and should dissipate a few weeks after the procedure. Potential risks include bleeding, infection, skin discoloration, asymmetry and unfavorable scarring. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Greenwald will go over these side effects and risks in detail with you.

When will I see my results?

Although you will notice a change in the size of your breasts immediately after your procedure, it may take up to a year for your final results to become visible. Your results will initially be obscured by swelling, which will dissipate over time. Dr. Greenwald can provide you with a more accurate recovery timeline during your consultation.

Can health insurance cover my breast reduction surgery?

Some insurance plans may pay for the procedure if you are pursuing it for medical reasons rather than cosmetic reasons. Contact your insurance provider to learn about your plan and benefits.