Breast Reduction Surgery in Beverly Hills

What is Breast Reduction?

A breast reduction procedure can be performed to create a more proportional chest curvature with your overall body shape, and to alleviate problems with activities, health, and clothing. Like breast augmentation, the procedure can also help achieve symmetry where breasts are not equal in size. Dr. Khalil can change the shape and firmness of the breasts to create a more aesthetic appeal. Nipple surgery may also be performed to reduce areola size. In fact, the breast reduction candidate may require a breast lift to achieve a fully desirable result.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but Dr. Khalil recommends waiting until breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast reduction before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. If you plan to breastfeed in the future, you should discuss this with Dr. Khalil.

During the consultation, you will be asked about your desired breast size as well as anything else about your breasts that you would like to see improved. This will help Dr. Khalil understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved. If you have one or more of the following conditions, you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery:

• breasts that are too large in proportion to your body frame
• heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward
• one breast is significantly larger than the other
• back, neck or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• skin irritation beneath your breasts
• indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps
• restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts
• dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the largeness of your breasts

For any or all of these reasons, breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is commonly sought out by large-breasted women. This procedure also helps women with normal-sized but sagging breasts when other breast augmentation procedures are not practical.

Breast Reduction Surgical Approach

The specific surgical approach that Dr. Khalil takes depends on the composition of the breasts, the degree of correction needed and other factors. He will outline his recommendations ahead of time, and together you will determine the best course of treatment.

Breast reduction is generally performed on an outpatient basis with anesthesia.

Breast Incision options

Dr. Khalil begins by creating the surgical incisions in one of the following patterns:

• around the circumference of the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple)
• around the areola and vertically down to the crease of the breast
• around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease and horizontally along the crease

The incision pattern largely depends on the size of the breasts, the degree of sagging and the position of the nipples. Dr. Khalil is careful to place the incision lines in the natural creases of the skin and contours of the breast whenever possible, and he takes other measures to minimize scars as well.

Through the incisions, the breast tissue is reduced, reshaped and lifted slightly higher on the chest. The nipples may be repositioned higher on the breast mound and the areolas can be reduced in size if needed. Excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is brought down and around underneath the smaller breast mound. Sutures are placed within the breast tissue to help support the reshaped breasts. Finally, sutures are used to close the skin. An elastic support bra is placed around the breasts to minimize swelling and support the newly shaped tissues.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Right after breast reduction surgery, patients are usually monitored in the surgery center’s recovery area for a few hours and then released to go home.

It is common to have some bruising and swelling right after breast reduction surgery. Patients can take pain medication as prescribed by Dr. Khalil to alleviate discomfort, and the side effects gradually subside. The majority of swelling should go away within a few weeks, but it can take three to four months for it to completely disappear.

Most patients take about two weeks off from work and should refrain from strenuous exercise for about six to eight weeks after surgery. Short walks are recommended as soon as the patient feels up to it in the days following surgery. However, heavy lifting, bending and straining are strongly discouraged during the initial recovery.

To minimize swelling, patients should stay hydrated and wear the compression garment provided by Dr. Khalil at all times. Patients should also avoid bras with underwire for the first few months since they may irritate the incisions and delay healing.

Dr. Khalil provides comprehensive aftercare instructions for keeping the incision lines clean, addressing pain or discomfort, sleeping, bathing and driving. He follows up with patients several days after surgery and in the weeks following the procedure to check the breasts’ healing progress. Dr. Khalil can answer any questions during the follow-up appointments.

Combining Breast Reduction with Other Procedures

While some amount of breast ptosis (sagging) is alleviated by removing tissue, fat and skin from the breasts, most breasts will not revert to a youthful position after breast reduction. Patients who wish to give their breasts a perkier shape and contour may want to combine breast reduction with breast lift. Dr. Khalil frequently pairs these two surgeries to create appealing, youthful and proportional breasts for his patients.

For some patients, Dr. Khalil may suggest incorporating liposuction with breast reduction. Although liposuction is not the primary way to reduce the size of breasts, the technique is a good way to target specific pockets of fat to achieve deliberate, attractive breast contours.

Patients who are interested in combining procedures should discuss the subject with Dr. Khalil during the consultation phase.

Cost of Breast Reduction

The price of breast reduction depends on multiple factors, including the amount of breast tissue being removed as well as whether liposuction or breast lift is included with the procedure. Breast reduction in Beverly Hills typically falls in the $8,000 to $15,000 price range. Financing options are available for patients who wish to make payments toward the total cost of their surgery. Dr. Khalil accepts financing from Prosper Healthcare Lending, CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit.

Although breast reduction is often deemed a cosmetic procedure, the surgery is covered by many health insurance plans for patients who experience chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders. Patients who have this pain documented in their medical records are more likely to have their surgery approved for health reasons.

Before and After Photos

One of the best ways to become familiar with the great work Dr. Khalil achieves for his patients is by looking at photographs of the surgical outcomes. Click to see some examples of Dr. Khalil’s satisfied breast reduction patients.

Breast Reduction Testimonials

“Having breast reduction with Dr. Khalil was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I am so happy with my new set of breasts. I feel so much younger and more confident. I just love Dr. Khalil because he changed my life. My dream of not having to wear a bra all the time finally came true.”
– Cristina L.

“I’ve struggled with gynecomastia my entire adult life. Dr. Khalil did such amazing work on me. This was my first experience with plastic surgery, and I was SO comfortable and impressed with him and his staff. I recommend him to everyone looking to get cosmetic work done.”
– Nick M.

“I had a tummy tuck and breast reduction at separate times and both came out amazing. I went from a G cup down to a D, and my breasts look beautiful! Dr. Khalil is an absolute artist and takes his work very seriously. He doesn’t over-sell in the consultation — he tells you realistically what he can do for you and what to expect. His staff are all extremely helpful and sweet, always available when needed.”
– Nikki W.

Choose Dr. Khalil for Breast Reduction

The best breast reduction results are achieved by the best plastic surgeons. Dr. Khalil’s extensive experience, superior technique and artistic eye allow him to provide his breast reduction patients with breasts that are smaller and proportional to their bodies without losing any of their overall attractiveness. Dr. Khalil’s overwhelmingly positive reviews reflect the outstanding aesthetic results and personalized patient care he provides.

Patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Covina and Arcadia, throughout California and the United States choose Dr. Khalil for reduction mammaplasty. To schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Khalil and find out exactly what he can do for your breasts, please call (310) 385-8601.

Breast Reduction Frequently Asked Questions

Will insurance pay for breast reduction?

Many major health insurance plans offer partial or complete coverage for breast reduction when it is performed to alleviate chronic back or neck pain, rashes or other health problems caused by oversized breasts. Insurance companies usually require proof from a doctor documenting how long you have been experiencing physical pain or problems before coverage kicks in.

Is the procedure painful?

You will not experience any pain during breast reduction surgery. You will receive anesthesia so you will not feel or remember any of the procedure. Post-operative pain and discomfort can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.

When can I see results?

Your breasts will look smaller almost immediately after surgery. However, you will not be able to see your final results until all of the swelling has subsided. It can take a few weeks for the initial swelling to subside and up to a few months for all of the swelling to resolve.

Will I have scarring?

You will have scarring on your breasts along the incision lines. Dr. Khalil makes every effort to minimize the size of the incisions and place them in a way that will leave you with the smallest, least noticeable scars possible. Keep in mind that all scarring can be easily hidden beneath a bra or bathing suit top.

Are the results of breast reduction permanent?

Breast reduction is intended to be a permanent procedure. However, the remaining breast tissue can swell after surgery due to hormonal changes, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What are the risks of breast reduction?

Breast reduction risks include the following:

• Infection
• Hematoma or seroma
• Poor wound healing
• Unfavorable scarring
• Irregular breast contour
• Skin discoloration
• Possible inability to breastfeed
• Temporary or permanent changes in nipple and breast sensation
• Possible need for revision surgery

Dr. Khalil will explain all of the risks of surgery so you can weigh those against the potential benefits. Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Khalil and following all of his pre- and post-operative instructions minimizes some of the risk of complications.

Is there an age requirement for breast reduction?

There is no age minimum for breast reduction. Breast reduction can be performed on patients of any age, including teenagers. However, Dr. Khalil recommends postponing breast reduction until the breasts have completely developed; otherwise, a second surgery may be needed later in life.

Should I postpone breast reduction until after I have children?

Breast reduction does not affect the ability to have a healthy pregnancy. Regardless, it might be wise to delay surgery until after you have finished having children, especially if you want to preserve your ability to breastfeed. Furthermore, delaying surgery until after you are done having children and allowed your breast size to stabilize helps Dr. Khalil plan the best surgical outcome.

Should I have breast reduction if I am planning to lose weight?

Losing weight often changes the size of the breasts. It you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight through diet and exercise, it may be preferable to delay breast reduction until after you have reached your goal weight.

How Many Cup Sizes Can You Lose With Breast Reduction?

Your preference is the most important factor in determining how much breast tissue is removed during reduction surgery. Some patients choose to go down a single cup size, while others opt for a more dramatic decrease. It is advisable to select a range within 3 cup sizes to maintain an appealing breast look and shape. However, as long as the surgery leaves sufficient breast tissue to support the nipple, a larger reduction is safe.

Do You Lose Weight After a Breast Reduction?

Because breast fat is removed during this procedure, you will most likely weigh less after your breast reduction surgery. Once you have breasts that are in better proportion to your body, you also tend to look lighter than you did with larger breasts. Furthermore, since physical activity like exercise becomes much easier with smaller breasts, many women report that they have an easier time losing weight after breast reduction.

HOW SOON CAN I WEAR A NORMAL BRA AGAIN AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

Dr. Khalil advises women to wait until their swelling has completely subsided before putting on a normal bra. It also makes sense to wait until the swelling has subsided to purchase new underwear so that you have an accurate measurement of your new breast size.  

DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT BREAST SENSATION AFTER REDUCTION MAMMAPLASTY?

Dr. Khalil is especially careful with his technique to preserve as much nipple sensation as possible. However, women’s breasts respond differently to incisions and tissue removal, so it is not uncommon for women to notice a change in breast sensation after surgery. For most women, the sensation usually returns within a few months, though it is possible for the sensation change to be permanent.

IS BREAST CANCER LINKED TO BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY?

Although this topic has been studied, experts have found no evidence that having breast reduction surgery in any way affects your chances of developing breast cancer. Your odds of having breast cancer remain the same regardless of whether you have this surgery.

IS BREAST REDUCTION PERFORMED SIMILARLY FOR MEN?

Gynecomastia surgery is the procedure men undergo to reduce the size of their chest. Since most men resent having enlarged breast tissue, it is currently one of the most popular male plastic surgeries. Although Dr. Khalil utilizes some overlapping techniques when performing gynecomastia surgery and (female) breast reduction, the end goal is usually quite different. Women want breasts that are proportional to their frame and lifestyle, while men want a flat, masculine chest with little to no protrusion.

Schedule a Breast Reduction Consultation

If you would like to learn more about the life changing benefits of breast reduction surgery, Dr. Khalil invites you to call or email our practice today. He would be happy to discuss the details of the surgery with you during consultation.

Breast Reduction for Men (Gynecomastia)

Male breast reduction, also known as male breast surgery (gynecomastia) reduces enlarged breasts in men and gives a flatter, more traditionally masculine contoured look. The surgery removes excess fatty deposits, glandular tissue and also corrects asymmetry among the two breasts. Male breast reduction has gained traction as enlarged breasts is a fairly common occurrence among men. The outcome is usually significant and can be a significant confidence booster among men who are self conscious about their breast over development.