When patients know how breast reduction surgery is done, they feel more comfortable and confident with their decision. We at Beber Plastic Surgery believe patients who know more have better experiences and more realistic expectations. Breast reduction is a surgery that removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to make breasts smaller, lighter and better shaped. This can help with physical pain and make life better.
A full consultation starts well before the day of surgery. During this visit we will talk about your concerns with your current breast size, any physical issues you’re having and what you want to achieve with the reduction. Many women want breast reduction because big breasts hurt their necks, backs, shoulders, skin or make it hard to work out. We take pictures for your medical record, measure your breasts and check your overall health. This evaluation helps us determine the best way to do surgery on your body.
On the day of your surgery you will go to our accredited surgical centre in Toronto where our staff will prepare you for the procedure. After you change into your surgery clothes you will meet with the anesthesiologist who will review your medical history and explain how the anesthesia works. We use general anesthesia for breast reduction which means you will be completely asleep and pain free during the procedure. We start by making carefully planned cuts on your breasts while you are safely under anesthesia. The anchor or inverted T technique is the most common way to make incisions. It makes cuts around the areola, down from the areola to the breast crease and across the breast crease. This pattern allows us to remove a lot of tissue and restructure the breast in a big way. We sometimes use the vertical or lollipop approach that removes the horizontal incision at the breast crease for patients who don’t need as much reduction.
We cut the skin, fat and breast tissue we don’t need after making the cuts. The amount taken out varies a lot from person to person depending on their starting size and what they want to achieve. Some patients need to lose a lot of weight from each breast while others only need to lose a little. We shape the remaining tissue to make a breast form that looks natural and fits your body well.
Moving the nipple and areola to a new position is an important part of breast reduction surgery. Most women with big breasts have nipples that are too low on their chest. We reposition the nipple and areola complex to a higher, more youthful position while keeping them attached to the nerves and blood supply that support them. Many patients may still feel things and nurse with this approach which is called a pedicle method. In some cases of very significant reductions we have to completely remove and reattach the nipple as a graft. But we try to avoid this when we can.
We bring the skin together and close the cuts with multiple layers of sutures after reshaping the breast tissue and moving the nipple. Internal sutures hold the new breast shape in place and skin sutures or surgical glue seal up the outside cuts. We are very careful with the closure process as careful suturing helps scars heal better over time.
During breast reduction surgery drains are sometimes placed to keep fluid from building up while the body heals. These little tubes come out through small cuts and collect the extra fluid that builds up after surgery. Not all patients need drains and when we do use them we usually take them out a few days later during a follow up visit. During your appointment we will let you know if drains will be part of your procedure. After the procedure we put on sterile dressings and a supportive surgical bra. Then you will go to the recovery area where our staff will monitor you as you wake up from the anesthesia. Most people feel sleepy but comfortable because of the pain medication. Once you are fully awake and stable you will go home with a responsible adult who will stay with you for at least the first night.
During the first week after breast reduction you may feel some pain, edema and bruising. Most patients say the pain is manageable with the pain medication. You will need to wear a supportive surgical bra all the time for a few weeks to help your breasts heal. We will give you instructions on how to care for your wounds, what activities to avoid and what symptoms of possible complications to look out for.
We can follow up on your healing and talk about any concerns you have at follow up appointments. Your first appointment is usually within a week after surgery to look at your incisions and remove any drains that may be there. Your next appointments will check on your progress over the next few months as the swelling goes down and your final breast form starts to show. Most people see their final results 3-6 months after surgery but some little changes can happen up to a year.
There will be scars after breast reduction surgery. The size and visibility of scars depends on how you cut yourself, what kind of skin you have and how your body heals. At first scars are red and elevated but they usually fade a lot over the course of 12-18 months. We will give you advice on how to care for scars such as using silicone treatments and staying out of the sun to speed up recovery. Most patients feel the trade off of scars for smaller more comfortable breasts is worth it.
Some people get breast reduction with other surgeries to fix more than one problem. For example combining reduction with a Mommy Makeover lets you sculpt your whole body after pregnancy in one surgery. During the consultation we will talk about whether using multiple approaches makes sense for your goals. We have done many breast reduction surgeries at Beber Plastic Surgery and we know how much of a difference it can make. Patients always tell us they wish they had done it sooner since the relief and quality of life is so big. If you have big breasts that are getting in the way, breast reduction may be the answer to let you feel comfortable, confident and live life to the fullest. Dr. Brett Beber, MD, FRCS, is a highly regarded plastic surgeon in Toronto known for his dedication to achieving natural, refined results through advanced surgical techniques and personalized patient care.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Beber Plastic Surgery is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or a guaranteed cost estimate. Surgical pricing and treatment outcomes vary for each individual based on anatomy, procedure complexity, surgeon expertise, and other medical or facility-related factors.
All prices and ranges mentioned are approximate estimates meant to help patients understand general cost expectations in Toronto. Final treatment plans, surgical recommendations, and exact fees can only be determined during a personal consultation after a thorough medical assessment.
Beber Plastic Surgery encourages all prospective patients to discuss their goals, medical history, and budget directly with a qualified surgeon. We are committed to transparency, patient safety, and delivering the highest standard of care—but no information on this page constitutes a binding quote or medical guarantee.
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