How do I find a surgeon I can trust?
It’s important to consider the following when choosing your aesthetic plastic surgeon:
- Does the surgeon have the proper education, training, and certification?
- Does the surgeon have extensive experience with breast reduction surgery?
- Do you like their results (see before and after photos)?
- What is your comfort level with him or her?
- Are they a member of The Aesthetic Society?
Learn More About How to Find an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
Members of The Aesthetic Society have the education, experience, and certifications required to perform your aesthetic procedure, and many of our members specialize in breast reductions. Find a Surgeon Near You
After you find a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area with extensive experience with breast reduction surgery, you will need to set up your consultation.
What can I expect during a consultation?
Generally, because of the in-depth nature of the consultation, there is usually a cost associated with the initial visit.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your aesthetic goals. Your surgeon will evaluate whether you are a good candidate for a breast reduction and clarify what breast reduction options are available to you, and the types of results you can expect.
Your surgeon will examine, measure, and photograph your breasts for your medical record and will consider:
- The current size and shape of your breasts
- The breast size and shape that you desire
- The quality and quantity of your breast tissue
- The quality of your skin
- The placement of your nipples and areolas
Once your surgeon understands your goals and medical condition, your surgeon may recommend alternative and additional treatments such as breast lift, liposuction, or an upper body lift (see related procedures).
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your complete medical history, such as your:
- Previous surgeries
- Past and present medical conditions
- Allergies and current medications
- Previous surgeries, including breast biopsies
- Family history of breast cancer
- Current mammogram results
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your aesthetic plastic surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before undergoing surgery.
If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, discuss this with your surgeon. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast reduction.
What questions should I ask my aesthetic plastic surgeon about my breast reduction?
It’s important that you take an active role in your surgery, so please use this list of questions as a starting point for your initial consultation.
- Am I a good candidate for a breast reduction?
- Are the results I am seeking reasonable and realistic?
- Do you have breast reduction before and after photos that I can see?
- How many breast reductions have you performed?
- Where will you perform my breast reduction, and how long will it take?
- Will I have any scars, and will they be visible?
- Will I need drains after surgery?
- What kind of anesthesia do you recommend for me?
- What will be the costs associated with my breast reduction?
- What will you expect of me to get the best results?
- What kind of recovery period can I expect, and when can I resume normal activities?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- What are my options if the outcome of my breast reduction does not meet the goals we agreed on?
See Questions To Ask Your Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
What happens after the consultation?
Based on your goals, physical characteristics, and your surgeon’s training and experience, your aesthetic plastic surgeon will share recommendations and information with you, which may include:
- An approach to your surgery, including the type of procedure or combination of procedures
- The outcomes you can anticipate
- The financial investment required for the procedure
- Associated risks and complications
- Options for anesthesia and surgery location
- What you need to prepare for your surgery
- What you can expect to experience during and after surgery
- Before and after photos of cases similar to yours
- Answers to any of your questions
Once you’ve done your research and completed your consultation, you should be able to make an educated decision on whether a breast reduction is right for you and whether a surgeon is a good fit. If you still aren’t sure how to proceed, you should feel empowered to ask follow-up questions or set up a consultation with a different surgeon. You can also ask one of our board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons a question using our Ask a Surgeon feature.