Breast reduction surgery is also called reduction mammoplasty. It is a highly common plastic surgery procedure usually performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, glandular tissue and fatty tissues of the breast are surgically reduced to proportion the breast to the rest of your body.

Breast reduction surgery is often advised for women who wish to reduce discomfort such as back and neck pain associated with having very large breasts. If you are currently breast-feeding or intend to breast feed in the future, surgery is not recommended.

Alternative treatments to breast reduction include weight loss and liposuction. Weight loss may be recommended by your doctor before plastic surgery is considered. Sagging of the breasts may occur with liposuction of the breasts, and as a result, is generally not a desirable option for women.

Prior to any surgery, your doctor will give you a complete medical examination and evaluate your overall health and your health history. You may be required to get additional tests such as X-rays and lab tests. Your doctor will also review with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation and will ask you to sign a consent form. It is important that you ask questions and be sure you understand the reason for the surgery as well as the risks.

It is important that you inform your doctor if you have allergies to any medications, what medications you are taking, and if you have bleeding problems. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Depending on the circumstances of your surgery, you may be instructed to do the following:

• Completely empty your colon and cleanse your intestines prior to surgery. You may be requested to drink clear liquids only for one or several days prior to surgery.
• Stop eating or drinking after midnight the night before the operation except medications that your doctor has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.
• Stop smoking at least six to eight weeks prior to surgery as smoking delays wound healing. Smokers are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery.

Your surgery may be performed in a hospital or outpatient clinic and takes about two to four hours. If you're surgery is in a hospital, you won't stay long.

After breast reduction surgery, your breasts will be sore, swollen and bruised. You will wear bandages on your incisions for a couple of days after surgery. Expect to wear a surgical for several weeks to help control bruising and swelling.

Limit your activities during the first two weeks after surgery. Avoid heavy lifting for up to four weeks. Your stitches will be removed in two to three weeks.

You may have some scarring form the procedure, though your plastic surgeon will do everything possible to make scarring discreet. It could take up to six months or a year for you're breasts to assume their final shape.

A variety of factors may influence the cost of the surgery. They include:

• Insurance coverage
• Pre-existing health
• Insurance co-pay
• Location of the facility

These factors vary depending on you and your situation.

The majority of plans exclude elective procedures such as plastic surgery; however, breast reconstruction as a result of breast cancer is often covered.

The cost of each procedure can vary dramatically based upon age, location, gender, and insurance coverage. HealthGrades provides detailed cost estimates which include the costs of the procedure, drugs, hospital stay, and more. Each cost estimate is easy to understand and provides medical terms you need to know.

The detailed cost estimate for Breast Reduction, includes costs for:

• Breast reduction.