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Breast Reduction

Relief from chronic pain. A naturally proportionate, lifted result — and the freedom that comes with it.

Overview

More Than an Aesthetic Choice

For many women, the decision to pursue breast reduction is not primarily a cosmetic one. It is a quality-of-life decision — often years in the making — driven by chronic physical discomfort that has resisted every conservative measure. Neck pain that makes long workdays intolerable. Shoulder grooves from bra straps bearing more weight than they were ever designed to carry. Rashes and skin irritation that recur beneath the breast fold regardless of how carefully the skin is tended. The growing impossibility of the physical activities that once brought joy. The endless frustration of shopping for clothes that simply do not fit.

Reduction mammaplasty — breast reduction surgery — addresses all of these concerns simultaneously. By removing excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, Dr. Newman reduces the volume and weight of the breast while simultaneously lifting it to a more youthful, proportionate position on the chest wall. The result is both functional and aesthetic: a breast that sits correctly, moves comfortably, and looks genuinely natural on the patient's frame.

Dr. Newman has been performing breast reduction at his Beverly Hills practice since 2007. His fellowship training in breast surgery at Georgetown University gave him a thorough grounding in the full range of reduction techniques, and his approach is defined by careful preoperative planning — selecting the technique best suited to each patient's anatomy rather than applying a single method universally. The outcome he consistently pursues is a result that looks as though the patient was simply born with smaller, better-proportioned breasts.

Insurance Coverage: What You Should Know

Breast reduction is one of the few plastic surgery procedures that may be covered by health insurance when medically necessary. Coverage typically requires documented symptoms such as chronic musculoskeletal pain, dermatitis or skin breakdown beneath the breast fold, and nerve symptoms — as well as a record of conservative treatments tried prior to surgery. Dr. Newman's office has extensive experience navigating the insurance pre-authorization process and can assist you in compiling the documentation needed to submit a compelling medical necessity claim. We encourage patients to contact our office early in the process so we can guide you through the requirements specific to your insurer.

The Surgical Techniques

Not every breast reduction is the same, and the technique Dr. Newman selects is tailored to the patient's anatomy, the amount of tissue to be removed, and the desired outcome. All of the approaches he employs share a fundamental commitment to preserving nipple sensation and breastfeeding potential through pedicle-based technique — meaning the nipple-areola complex remains connected to its blood and nerve supply throughout the procedure, rather than being removed and replaced as a free graft.

The three primary techniques are described below. During your consultation, Dr. Newman will review your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the approach most likely to produce the best result for you specifically.

Most Common
Inferior Pedicle (Anchor Scar)

The workhorse of breast reduction surgery. The nipple-areola complex is carried on an inferior pedicle of breast tissue, which preserves excellent blood supply and nerve continuity. The resulting scar follows an anchor or inverted-T pattern — around the areola, vertically down, and horizontally along the breast fold. Ideal for patients requiring significant reductions and those whose anatomy benefits from the greater tissue reshaping this approach allows.

Shorter Scar
Vertical Scar Technique

A refined approach that eliminates the horizontal inframammary scar entirely, leaving only a periareolar scar and a vertical scar from the areola to the breast fold. Well-suited for patients requiring moderate reductions whose skin has adequate elasticity to adapt to the reshaped breast envelope. The result is a more conical, naturally projecting breast shape — and significantly less visible scarring at follow-up.

Optimal Sensation Preservation
Superomedial Pedicle

An approach that has gained favor for its superior preservation of nipple sensation and reliable blood supply, particularly for larger reductions. The pedicle is based superiorly and medially, providing excellent nipple viability even when the nipple must travel a significant distance to its new position. Often combined with a vertical or anchor scar pattern depending on the amount of skin excision required.

A Lift and a Reduction in One

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of breast reduction is that it is inherently also a lift. Unlike a mastopexy — which reshapes the breast skin envelope and repositions the nipple without significantly changing breast volume — a reduction modifies both. Excess skin is excised and the breast is reshaped around a smaller, lighter core of tissue. The nipple-areola complex is elevated to a more youthful position, typically sitting at or just above the level of the inframammary fold. The result is a breast that is not only smaller and lighter but also firmer, rounder, and better positioned on the chest — a comprehensive transformation accomplished in a single procedure and a single recovery.

Fellowship-Trained Care in Beverly Hills

Dr. Newman is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a clinical faculty member at UCLA, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All surgeries are performed at a fully accredited outpatient surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists. His practice has been serving Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles community since 2007, and breast surgery — in all its forms — remains at the core of what he does.

Quick Facts
Recovery Return to desk work 5–7 days; full activity at 4–6 weeks
Insurance May be covered when medically necessary — office assists with documentation
Breastfeeding Preservation possible with pedicle techniques — discuss at consultation
Results Immediate and lasting — swelling resolves over 3–6 months
Procedure Time 2–4 hours depending on technique and volume removed
Anesthesia General anesthesia
Facility Accredited outpatient surgical facility
Schedule a Consultation

The Process

What to Expect: From Consultation to Results

Breast reduction is a carefully coordinated process. Dr. Newman's team guides you through every step, including any insurance pre-authorization.

01
Consultation

Dr. Newman evaluates your anatomy, discusses your goals, and recommends a surgical technique. If you are pursuing insurance coverage, his team begins building your medical necessity documentation at this visit.

02
Pre-Authorization

For insured patients, Dr. Newman's office submits a pre-authorization request to your insurer with complete supporting documentation — including measurements, symptom history, and photographs. Approval timelines vary by insurer.

03
Surgery Day

Surgery takes 2–4 hours under general anesthesia at an accredited outpatient facility. You will be discharged the same day wearing a soft surgical bra. A responsible adult must accompany you home.

04
Recovery

Most patients return to desk work within 5–7 days. Light walking is encouraged within the first week. Strenuous activity and exercise resume at 4–6 weeks. The final result reveals itself gradually over 3–6 months as swelling resolves and scars mature.

Gallery

Before & After: Breast Reduction

A selection of Dr. Newman's breast reduction results. All patients shown are real patients who have consented to share their photos.

Breast reduction before and after Beverly Hills – patient 1
Patient 1
Breast reduction before and after Beverly Hills – patient 2
Patient 2
Breast reduction before and after Beverly Hills – patient 3
Patient 3
Breast reduction before and after Beverly Hills – patient 4
Patient 4
Breast reduction before and after Beverly Hills – patient 5
Patient 5
Breast reduction before and after Beverly Hills – patient 6
Patient 6

*Each patient is unique. Results may vary. Photos are shown with patient consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breast Reduction FAQ

Is breast reduction covered by insurance?
Breast reduction is frequently covered by health insurance when it can be demonstrated to be medically necessary. Insurers typically require documentation of chronic symptoms — including neck, back, and shoulder pain — along with a history of conservative treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, or prescription-strength pain management. Some plans also require documentation of nipple-to-sternal notch measurements, skin irritation or rashes beneath the breast fold, postural changes, and nerve symptoms. Dr. Newman's office is experienced with insurance documentation and can assist patients in building a strong medical necessity case for pre-authorization.
Will I still be able to breastfeed?
Breastfeeding after breast reduction is possible for many women, though it is not guaranteed. Dr. Newman uses pedicle-based techniques — specifically the inferior pedicle and superomedial pedicle approaches — that preserve the connection between the nipple-areola complex and the underlying breast tissue, maintaining the integrity of the milk ducts to the greatest extent possible. Women who undergo breast reduction with a pedicle technique have a reasonable chance of successfully breastfeeding, though individual outcomes depend on factors including the amount of tissue removed and the patient's anatomy. If preserving breastfeeding ability is a priority, discuss this in detail during your consultation.
What scars will I have?
The extent of scarring depends on the technique used. The inferior pedicle approach — the most common — produces an anchor-shaped scar pattern: around the areola, vertically down to the fold, and horizontally along the inframammary crease. The vertical technique eliminates the horizontal component, leaving only periareolar and vertical scars. Dr. Newman selects the technique best suited to your anatomy and discusses scar outcomes in detail during consultation. With proper post-operative scar care — silicone sheeting, diligent sun protection, and time — most scars fade significantly over 12 to 18 months following surgery.
How much smaller will I be?
The final size is determined collaboratively during your consultation. Most patients aim for a result that is proportionate to their frame — typically one to two cup sizes smaller, though reduction targets are measured in grams of tissue removed rather than bra cup size. During surgery, Dr. Newman removes the excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin necessary to achieve your goals. For insured patients, coverage typically requires a minimum gram threshold based on body surface area, and Dr. Newman's team calculates this as part of the pre-authorization process.
Is this just a lift or does it actually reduce?
Breast reduction genuinely reduces breast volume and weight by removing excess glandular tissue and fat — it is not simply a lift. A mastopexy (lift) reshapes the breast and repositions the nipple without significantly changing volume. A reduction changes both: it removes tissue and simultaneously lifts and reshapes the breast. The result is a breast that is smaller, lighter, firmer, and better positioned — a comprehensive transformation accomplished in a single procedure.
Will it fix my back and neck pain?
For women whose musculoskeletal symptoms are attributable to the weight of overly large breasts, breast reduction is one of the most reliably effective procedures in plastic surgery. The overwhelming majority of patients report significant or complete resolution of chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain following surgery. Relief from bra strap grooving, skin irritation, and exercise limitations is also commonly reported. Breast reduction consistently ranks among the highest in patient satisfaction of any elective surgical procedure — and for many patients, the functional relief is every bit as meaningful as the aesthetic result.

Take the First Step

Schedule Your Breast Reduction Consultation

Meet with Dr. Newman to discuss your goals, review your surgical options, and — if appropriate — begin the insurance pre-authorization process. Consultations are private, unhurried, and informative.

416 N. Bedford Drive, Suite 403 · Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.859.0010