Breast Reduction
What is Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce breast size, relieve physical symptoms (e.g., back pain), and improve proportionality. It’s often performed for medical or cosmetic reasons. In India, breast reduction is conducted in plastic surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction is indicated for:
- Medical reasons:
- Chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain due to large breasts (macromastia).
- Skin irritation or rashes under breasts.
- Difficulty with physical activities (e.g., exercise) or finding well-fitting clothes.
- Cosmetic reasons:
- Desire for smaller, proportionate breasts or improved symmetry.
- Address sagging (ptosis) due to large breasts.
- Associated conditions:
- May be linked to gigantomastia (excessive breast growth) or post-pregnancy changes.
- Timing:
- Typically performed in adults (18+ years) after breast development stabilizes; earlier for severe symptoms.
The procedure aims to reduce breast size, lift the breasts, and alleviate symptoms while maintaining a natural appearance and, if possible, preserving nipple sensation and breastfeeding ability.
Why Do Breast Reduction Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh:
- Procedure Complexity: Moderate reduction (₹1–1.5 lakh); large reduction with significant lift (₹1.5–2.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹1.5–2.5 lakh); lower in smaller centers (₹1–1.5 lakh).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced plastic surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹10,000–₹20,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), medications (₹5,000–₹10,000).
- Insurance: Often covered for medical reasons (e.g., chronic pain); confirm with your provider; cosmetic cases may not be covered.
Breast Reduction Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- Physical exam: Evaluates breast size, skin quality, nipple position, and symmetry.
- Measurements: For surgical planning and proportional resizing.
- Mammogram (if >40 years): Baseline screening.
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile.
- Discussion: Desired breast size, incision type, and potential impact on breastfeeding.
- Consent: Risks, including scarring, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Breast Reduction:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 2–4 hours.
- Incision options:
- Anchor (inverted-T): Around areola, vertically down, and along inframammary fold; most common for large reductions.
- Vertical (lollipop): Around areola and vertically down; for moderate reductions.
- Periareolar: Around areola only; for minimal reductions (less common).
- Repair:
- Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin removed; liposuction may assist in fat removal.
- Nipple-areola complex repositioned (usually remains attached to preserve sensation/blood supply).
- Breast reshaped and lifted; remaining skin tightened.
- Closure: Sutures (absorbable or removable) close incisions; surgical bra applied.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Liposuction (if needed): Removes excess fat.
- Cautery: Controls bleeding.
- Marking pen: Pre-op markings guide incisions.
- Breast Reduction:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: 1–2 days.
- Care: Wear surgical bra for 4–6 weeks; avoid pressure on breasts.
- Pain management: Moderate pain for 3–7 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., ibuprofen).
- Instructions: No heavy lifting or upper body exercise for 4–6 weeks; sleep on back.
Recovery After Breast Reduction
- Hospital Stay: 1–2 days.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Moderate pain and swelling for 3–7 days; bruising resolves in 2–3 weeks.
- Activity: Avoid heavy lifting or upper body exercise for 4–6 weeks; light activities in 1–2 weeks.
- Incision: Keep dry for 5–7 days; sutures removed (if non-absorbable) in 7–14 days; scars fade in 6–12 months.
- Breasts: Initial firmness/softening over 3–6 months; final shape in 6–12 months.
- Support: Wear surgical bra 24/7 for 4–6 weeks, then sports bra for 2 months.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (suture removal), 1 month, and 3 months.
- Mammogram (if applicable): 6–12 months post-surgery for baseline.
Most resume normal activities (desk job) in 1–2 weeks; full recovery takes 6–8 weeks. Satisfaction rate: 90–95% report symptom relief and improved quality of life; cosmetic outcomes are generally well-received.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (1–3%): Hematoma in breast; may need drainage.
- Infection (1–3%): At incision site; treated with antibiotics.
- Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to general anesthesia; rare in healthy patients.
- Post-Surgery:
- Scarring (5–10%): Keloid or hypertrophic scars; usually fade over time.
- Nipple sensation changes (10–15%): Temporary or permanent; often resolves in 6 months.
- Asymmetry (2–5%): Uneven breasts; may need revision surgery.
- Fat necrosis (1–3%): Hard lumps from tissue damage; may resolve or need removal.
- Long-Term:
- Breastfeeding difficulty (10–20%): Depends on technique; nipple-preserving methods reduce risk.
- Sagging recurrence (5–10%): Over years, due to aging or weight changes.
- Delayed wound healing (1–3%): More common in smokers; may need dressings.
Report fever, severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection (e.g., redness, pus) promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for breast reduction?
Large breasts (macromastia), often genetic, hormonal (e.g., puberty, pregnancy), or weight gain; causes pain, posture issues.
Can I avoid breast reduction surgery?
Yes, if symptoms mild: Weight loss, physical therapy, or supportive bras; surgery needed for significant relief.
Is breast reduction painful?
Moderate pain for 3–7 days, managed with medication; discomfort subsides in 2 weeks.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Light activities: 1–2 weeks; full recovery: 6–8 weeks; avoid upper body exercise for 4–6 weeks.
Is breast reduction covered by insurance in India?
Often covered for medical reasons (e.g., chronic pain); confirm with your provider; cosmetic cases may not be covered.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection.
Will my breasts look natural after surgery?
90–95% achieve natural, proportionate look; scarring is common but fades over time.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Wear surgical bra, avoid heavy lifting, sleep on back, maintain stable weight, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Breast reduction is a safe and effective procedure to alleviate physical symptoms and improve breast appearance, with high satisfaction rates and manageable recovery. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Medanta) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance for medical necessity. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult a plastic surgeon for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Breast Reduction
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Ahmedabad |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Ajmer |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Aligarh |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Allahabad |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Amritsar |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Aurangabad |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Bangalore |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Bareilly |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Belgaum |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Bhopal |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Bikaner |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Chandigarh |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Chennai |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Dehradun |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Delhi |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Durgapur |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Faridabad |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Guntur |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Gurgaon |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Guwahati |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Gwalior |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Hyderabad |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Indore |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Jabalpur |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Jaipur |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Jamshedpur |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Jodhpur |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Kanpur |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Kochi |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Kolkata |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Kollam |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Lucknow |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Ludhiana |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Madurai |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Mangalore |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Meerut |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Moradabad |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Mumbai |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Mysore |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Nagpur |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Nashik |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Noida |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Patna |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Pune |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Raipur |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Rajkot |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Ranchi |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Surat |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Thane |
90,000 |
3,50,000 |
Vadodara |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Varanasi |
80,000 |
3,25,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
85,000 |
3,35,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.