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Breast Reduction
Overly large breasts can cause a great deal of discomfort, often leading to chronic neck pain, skin irritation, and reduced self-esteem. Patients with large, pendulous breasts may struggle with both physical and emotional discomfort, making everyday activities more challenging. Fortunately, breast reduction surgery is available to help patients feel confident and enjoy a lighter frame.
Dr. David Cangello, a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in New York, NY, performs breast reduction surgery to help patients achieve a more proportionate and comfortable breast size. By removing excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue, this procedure reshapes the breasts to create a balanced, natural appearance. Many patients find their breast reduction to be a life-changing procedure, and Dr. Cangello is dedicated to delivering transformative results. At his practice in Manhattan, he helps patients eliminate the emotional and physical discomfort associated with excessively large breasts.
Contact plastic surgeon Dr. David Cangello today at (646) 791-7122 to schedule a personal consultation for reduction mammoplasty in NYC.
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that reduces breast size by removing excess tissue and skin. This procedure is performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons, helping patients achieve a more balanced, comfortable, and proportionate breast size.1
Many individuals with overly large breasts experience physical discomfort, including back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, as well as difficulties with physical activity. Breast reduction can alleviate these concerns while also enhancing self-image and self-esteem. Patients often feel a renewed sense of confidence and freedom after surgery, with breasts that better complement their body proportions and lifestyle.
If you struggle with the weight or appearance of your breasts due to physical discomfort or self-consciousness, breast reduction surgery may be an ideal solution to improve both your quality of life and overall well-being.
For many individuals, overly large breasts can cause persistent physical discomfort, limit physical activity, and impact self-image. Breast reduction surgery, performed by Dr. David Cangello in New York City, offers numerous benefits that improve both quality of life and confidence.
Relief from Pain and Discomfort
Excess breast weight often leads to back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, making even routine movements uncomfortable. Many patients also experience indentations and grooving from bra straps digging into their shoulders. By reducing breast size, this procedure alleviates these issues, helping patients feel lighter and more at ease.
Improved Mobility and Physical Activity
Large breasts can make physical activity challenging or painful, discouraging movement and exercise. Breast reduction removes this barrier, allowing patients to enjoy jogging, dancing, and sports with greater ease and comfort.
Breast Lift for a More Youthful Look
Breast reduction also provides a breast lift, elevating the breasts and nipples to a higher position on the chest. This enhances breast size and shape, creating a more proportionate and rejuvenated appearance.
Reduction of Skin Irritation and Rashes
The weight and size of overly large breasts can cause rashes, soreness, and skin irritation in the folds beneath them, leading to ongoing discomfort. By removing excess tissue, this procedure helps eliminate chafing and allows the skin to heal.
Correction of Asymmetry
Many patients experience asymmetry in their breasts, where one is larger or shaped differently than the other. Breast reduction surgery helps create a more balanced, natural look.
Boost in Self-Confidence and Quality of Life
Living with overly large breasts can lead to self-consciousness and negatively impact self-esteem. After surgery, patients often experience a renewed sense of confidence and a more positive self-image, leading to an improvement in overall quality of life.2 They can also wear a greater variety of bras and clothing that fit comfortably and stylishly.
Breast reduction is a transformative procedure that not only relieves physical discomfort but also enhances quality of life. Dr. Cangello customizes every procedure to ensure results that align with each patient’s goals, helping them feel more comfortable and confident in their body.
David L. Cangello, MD, FACS Plastic Surgery New York
Dr. David Cangello is one of the top board-certified plastic surgeons in all of New York City. His approach of treating plastic surgery with an artistic eye has successfully shaped his practice. Dr. Cangello cares about the result of the surgery as much as the patient does. Read more to learn why you should choose Dr. Cangello for your next procedure.
Schedule a ConsultationWho is a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction?
Ideal candidates include healthy patients who are unhappy with the physical and psychological discomfort caused by large breasts. Patients typically exhibit the following:
- Uncomfortably large, pendulous breasts
- Skin irritation from breasts that rub against the abdomen and from bra straps that dig into the shoulders
- Chronic neck pain and back pain
- A hunched appearance due to the weight of large breasts
Treatment can significantly enhance the quality of life for those with excessively large breasts, whether they miss playing their favorite sports or they merely want to look their best in all types of clothing. Reduction mammaplasty is also available to patients who are at least 16 years old. To see stunning breast reduction results, view our breast reduction before-and-after photo gallery.
Are you a candidate for breast reduction surgery? Schedule your initial consultation with Dr. David Cangello in Manhattan to learn more.
Choosing a Breast Reduction Surgeon
While breast reduction is often sought to relieve physical discomfort, many patients also want an aesthetically refined outcome. Achieving a natural, proportionate shape requires more than just reducing breast size—it demands surgical artistry. One of the most common concerns with breast reduction results is a boxy or flattened lower breast shape, which can occur when the procedure does not account for natural breast contours.
Dr. Cangello takes a meticulous approach to breast reduction, ensuring consistently smooth, rounded, and feminine results. His technique not only alleviates discomfort but also enhances breast shape, creating beautiful, natural-looking proportions. When choosing a surgeon, reviewing before-and-after photos is essential to understanding their skill and aesthetic approach.
Breast Reduction Techniques: Understanding Your Options
The surgical options for reduction mammoplasty depend on the size of the breasts, the level of sagging, and other factors. Dr. Cangello performs the procedure using one of the following methods:
Liposuction-Only Technique
The liposuction-only technique is typically used for women who require removal of only a minimal to moderate volume of tissue and whose nipples do not need to be raised to a higher position on the chest. Ideal candidates should have breasts that are mostly composed of fatty (as opposed to glandular) tissue. Candidates should also have excellent skin elasticity. Because this technique requires tiny incisions, the recovery period is much shorter compared to other breast reduction techniques.
Vertical Scar Technique (Also Known as Lollipop Incision)
Women who need a moderate reduction in breast size are good candidates for the lollipop incision method. Since there is no incision made along the breast fold, this technique results in less scarring. One incision is formed around the edge of the areola, and a second incision is placed vertically from the areola down to the breast crease (in the shape of a lollipop).
Once the incision is made, excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed. Dr. Cangello then reshapes internal structures and lifts the breast to a higher position on the chest. This technique creates a well-projected breast; after the appropriate amount of tissue has been excised, the two vertical pillars of breast tissue are brought together to form a cone shape.
Inferior Pedicle Technique (Wise Pattern, Inverted T, or Anchor Incision)
This technique involves removing a significant amount of tissue removal and reshaping the breasts, making it best suited for those who need a substantial reduction in size. During the procedure, an incision is placed around the areola and extends downward along the lower half of the breast to the breast crease, and another incision is made along the breast crease. After excising the proper amount of glandular tissue, fat, and skin, the nipple-areolar complex is moved to the appropriate position on the chest wall, above the infra-mammary fold.
Free Nipple-Graft Technique
This technique involves completely removing the nipple-areolar complex and replacing it at the end of the breast reduction surgery as a skin graft. The advantage of this technique is a significant removal of breast tissue can be removed without concern for the viability of the nipple. As such, the free graft technique is usually reserved for the most severe cases of macromastia.
This type of treatment is typically recommended to patients exhibiting the following:
- Pendulous breasts with nipples that hang well below the breast crease
- Health status that presents a high risk of ischemia of the nipple-areolar complex
- Diabetes
- Smoking habits
Your Breast Reduction Consultation
Your Ideal Figure Starts Here
From the moment the initial consultation begins, patients understand why so many others have put their trust into Dr. Cangello’s hands. Deciding to undergo treatment isn’t always easy; patients may have spent years living with the emotional and physical discomfort caused by overly large breasts. For this reason, Dr. Cangello and his staff strive to make the surgical experience a positive one – and it all starts with the initial consultation.
During your consultation for a breast reduction in NYC, Dr. Cangello addresses any questions or concerns patients may have about the procedure. He also conducts a physical examination to assess the tissue, level of sagging, the position of the nipples relative to the breast crease, and the quality of the skin. Taking into consideration the patient’s anatomy and overall cosmetic goals, Dr. Cangello provides a custom treatment plan to help the patient attain a proportionate figure.
Considering a breast reduction in New York? Schedule a personal consultation for reduction mammoplasty by contacting Dr. David Cangello.
Patient Experiences
“The decision to go forward with my breast reduction wasn’t as difficult as choosing a surgeon, that’s for sure. I knew people who had had the surgery, but in different states, none could recommend a doc in NYC. My PCP and another surgeon recommended Dr. Cangello and immediately when I met him, I felt at ease. He is confident without being cocky and explained the procedure, his technique and addressed all of my questions with patience. He took his time at each of our appointments and marked me for the surgery the day before so that he could take his time with measurements and not feel rushed to get me into the OR the day of. The day of surgery, I felt fully confident that I was in good hands. At each visit in the weeks that followed, I was nervous that I would be in pain as we removed drains, bandages, surgi-strips, etc… but Dr. Cangello is so incredibly gentle and speaks and moves so calmly, there really was no pain. I had done a lot of research on the internet and saw pictures of other women post-surgery and some looked pretty frightening – my breasts were barely bruised, they looked perfect actually, even the first day after surgery. I’ve had no complications at all, the incisions were beautifully sutured and my breasts actually look like they did 20 years ago, perky and full, no sagginess, perfectly symmetrical and proportionate. AND I did not lose nipple sensation (which I was also very nervous about!) Not only was having the surgery the BEST decision I ever made, so was choosing Dr. Cangello as my surgeon.”
—V.O.
Preparing for Breast Reduction Surgery
Before undergoing breast reduction surgery, Dr. David Cangello will review your medical history and may require certain medical evaluations to ensure you are in good health for the procedure. This may include a mammogram, laboratory tests, or other screenings such as an electrocardiogram or chest X-rays. These tests help assess your overall condition and ensure a safe surgical experience.
Our team will provide you with detailed preoperative instructions, including guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking, and taking any medications or herbal supplements before surgery. Following these instructions carefully is essential for a smooth procedure and recovery.
Because breast reduction is an outpatient procedure, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. Additionally, you may need some assistance at home for the first few days as you recover. Planning ahead will help ensure a comfortable and stress-free healing process.
The Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, meaning you will be comfortably asleep throughout the surgery. Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Cangello customizes each procedure to achieve natural-looking, proportionate results based on your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
During the procedure, Dr. Cangello makes carefully planned incisions to remove excess breast tissue, excess fat, and excess skin. The areola and nipple are repositioned to a higher, more youthful position. In some cases, liposuction may be used to refine the breast shape by removing excess fat from areas such as the sides of the breasts or underarms.
Once the desired breast size and shape have been achieved, the incisions are meticulously closed with sutures, most of which are dissolvable, meaning there is no need for removal after surgery. Over time, as healing progresses, the final results will become more visible, revealing smaller, lighter, and more proportionate breasts that complement your body’s natural contours.
Breast Reduction Recovery
After your reduction mammoplasty, you will wake up with a surgical dressing over your incisions, but you will not require surgical drains. You will also be wearing a post-surgical bra or compression garment. Although your breasts may feel tender, swollen, or bruised following surgery, you will notice an immediate improvement regarding their weight and size. Dr. Cangello will prescribe pain medication to make your recovery as comfortable as possible, though many of his patients require only over-the-counter pain medication to maintain their comfort.
All sutures used are dissolvable—except for one that is usually removed about two weeks after surgery. If you have drains, they are often removed the day after surgery.
Most patients can return to work within a week. However, strenuous activity should be avoided for four to six weeks. During the first month after surgery, patients are required to wear a highly supportive bra without an underwire to facilitate healing. During this time, your breasts may look firm and flat. But as swelling subsides and your body heals, your breasts will take on a more natural, tear-drop appearance. While some slight swelling may persist for several months, the final results of your breast reduction will continue to refine, revealing a more proportionate and comfortable breast size.
FAQs About Breast Reduction Surgery
Your treatment is provided at Dr. Cangello’s on-site, fully accredited operating room. This state-of-the-art surgical facility is equipped with safety and comfort in mind, ensuring an optimal surgical experience for patients. Dr. Cangello also only works with board-certified anesthesiologists to provide the highest levels of protection. For patients who would prefer to have their breast reduction performed in a hospital, Dr. Cangello also has operating privileges at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital in NYC.
The ability to breastfeed after reduction mammoplasty varies greatly. This depends on the incision placement, the surgical technique used, and the amount of tissue that was removed. Dr. Cangello discusses breastfeeding during your consultation and may recommend that you postpone reduction mammoplasty until after you’ve had children (if you plan on breastfeeding).
Insurance often does cover the procedure if specific clinical criteria can be demonstrated to the insurance company and if your plan allows for coverage. Not all insurance plans cover breast reduction. Dr. Cangello is out of network with all insurance plans, so you must have out-of-network benefits to obtain reimbursement for your surgery. Dr. Cangello’s staff is happy to provide the information you will need to submit to your insurance company to verify coverage.
As with any surgical procedure, there will be scarring. However, Dr. Cangello is meticulous in the way he closes incisions to help your scars blend in seamlessly. Surgery typically produces one of two types of scar patterns on the breasts:
- “Lollipop” or Circumvertical Scar: There’s a scar around the areola and a scar from the bottom of the areola down to the fold below the breast.
- “Anchor” or Wise Pattern Scar: Same as the lollipop scar but with an additional horizontal scar along the length of the fold below the breast.
During breast reduction surgery, your areolas (the pigmented part around the nipple) will be made smaller, and they’ll be moved along with the nipple. They will be repositioned above the breast crease. The nipple size can also be reduced if requested.
The results are permanent. However, it is possible that pregnancy and associated hormonal changes or significant weight gain can cause reaccumulation of breast tissue, which may necessitate another reduction in the future.
Yes, Dr. Cangello offers male breast reduction surgery for patients suffering from gynecomastia (enlarged breasts.) When men only have minimal feminization of the breasts, the reduction usually involves liposuction alone or a combination of liposuction and excision of glandular tissue. This is accomplished through a minimal incision at the bottom of the areola. For men with more severe gynecomastia, removal of excess skin and repositioning of the nipples may be necessary.
The cost of breast reduction surgery can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s experience, and the specific needs of each patient. Since breast reduction is a highly customized procedure, the price will be tailored to your individual goals and anatomy.
At Dr. Cangello’s practice in New York, NY, a personalized treatment plan is created for every patient to ensure the best possible outcome. During your consultation, Dr. Cangello will discuss your unique concerns and goals, as well as recommend the most appropriate approach for achieving the results you desire.
While the cost is an important consideration, many patients find that the benefits of breast reduction surgery, including relief from physical discomfort and an improved sense of self-confidence, make it a worthwhile investment in their overall well-being.
To ensure that each of our patients has access to this procedure, we are pleased to offer financing to help patients cover the cost of breast reduction surgery.
Schedule a Consultation
Take the first step toward becoming more comfortable and confident: schedule a consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Cangello in Manhattan, New York. Contact us today to discuss how breast reduction surgery can help you achieve a more balanced and natural-looking figure.
References
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast Reduction. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction. Accessed February 4, 2025.
2 Gonzalez MA, Glickman LT, Aladegbami B, Simpson RL. Quality of life after breast reduction surgery: a 10-year retrospective analysis using the Breast Q questionnaire: does breast size matter?. Ann Plast Surg. 2012;69(4):361-363. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e31824a218a. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22964671/. Accessed February 4, 2025.