Is a Breast Reduction Painful?

Pain levels vary from person to person. Dr. Kaweski at Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery is highly skilled in pain management techniques to alleviate discomfort.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Breast reduction typically involves multiple appointments to ensure proper planning and safe healing. Patients begin with an in-depth consultation and may have a preoperative visit before surgery. After your procedure, follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, remove sutures if needed, and confirm that recovery is progressing smoothly. Most of our San Diego area patients attend several follow-up visits within the first few months.

How Long Until I See Results?

A noticeable reduction in breast size is visible immediately after surgery, though swelling will temporarily affect the final appearance. As swelling subsides over the following weeks, the breasts begin to settle into a more natural shape. Final results are usually apparent within 3 to 6 months, once healing is complete and tissues have stabilized.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

Breast reduction surgery requires incisions, so some scarring is expected. Your scar will depend on the surgical technique used and how your body heals. Dr. Kaweski places incisions to minimize visibility and provides detailed scar care instructions to support optimal healing. Over time, you can expect your scars to fade and become less noticeable.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Breast Reduction?

Light activities such as walking are usually safe within a few days after surgery. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and upper-body workouts should be avoided for approximately four to six weeks. Dr. Kaweski will provide personalized recommendations based on your healing progress to ensure a safe return to physical activity.

Can I Combine a Breast Reduction with Other Procedures?

Yes, many of our patients choose to pair a breast reduction with liposuction , tummy tuck , or body lift as part of a more complete physical refresh. Dr. Kaweski carefully evaluates your health, goals, and surgical timeline during your consultation to determine which combinations are safe and appropriate while prioritizing natural-looking results and patient safety.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Breast Reduction?

Risks may include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, or unfavorable scarring. Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation can occur, and in some cases, patients may experience asymmetry or irregular breast shape as healing progresses. There is also a possibility of difficulty breastfeeding in the future, particularly when a significant amount of tissue is removed. Swelling and bruising are expected during early recovery and typically resolve over time.

How Small a Cup Size Can I Go?

Expect to be 1-2 bra cup sizes smaller when you undergo breast reduction surgery.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Breast Reduction Surgery?

As a general rule, anyone with huge breasts can opt for the surgery. Dr. Kaweski can perform the procedure on teenagers and older women. But this will still depend on Dr. Kaweski’s assessment of the patient’s physical condition and emotional maturity.

What is the Best Way to Maintain Breast Reduction Results?

Dr. Kaweski advises maintaining a stable, healthy weight after surgery. You can also use supportive bras (e.g., sports bras) and perform light chest exercises to help slow breast sagging due to aging.

How Do I Find the Best Breast Reduction Plastic Surgeon Near Me in San Diego?

Choosing the right surgeon involves reviewing board certification, experience, and patient outcomes. Dr. Susan Kaweski is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has experience performing breast procedures. Her personalized approach, attention to detail, and commitment to her patients’ care make her a trusted choice for breast reduction in the San Diego area. Scheduling a consultation allows you to review her credentials, discuss expectations, and determine if her approach aligns with your goals.

Breast Reduction
San Diego, CA

Introduction

Introduction to Breast Reduction

Step into a world where confidence meets comfort. At the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery, under the expert care of Dr. Kaweski, we understand that the journey to feeling your best begins with addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of your well-being. For many women, the burden of excessively large breasts can overshadow their daily lives, causing discomfort and self-consciousness.

That’s where breast reduction, or mammoplasty, comes in — a transformative surgical solution designed to alleviate both the physical strain and emotional distress associated with oversized breasts. Through meticulous techniques, Dr. Kaweski crafts results that not only enhance your body’s proportions but also restore your confidence and comfort, allowing you to embrace life to the fullest. Discover the freedom of a more balanced silhouette and the empowerment that comes with it at the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery.

Before + After Gallery

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A woman with long dark hair looking thoughtfully out of a window. She is wearing a delicate lace bralette, conveying a sense of comfort and ease.

What is a Breast Reduction?

Most women would desire fuller, more voluminous breasts, but for those who struggle with the physical pain and emotional discomfort of too-large breasts, they would rather opt for ample, proportioned breasts. This is where Dr. Kaweski at the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery comes in to perform breast reduction surgery, also known as mammoplasty. The procedure is performed on women who experience chronic back, neck, shoulder, and nerve pain, including skin irritation under the breasts.

Worldwide, breast reduction ranked among the top surgical cosmetic procedures, with over 650,000 performed in 2024.¹

How Does Breast Reduction Work?

Breast reduction surgery removes excess fat, breast tissue, and skin from large breasts. The procedure results in a more proportionate body contour and relief from uncomfortable, painful symptoms. Dr. Kaweski will perform the surgery under general anesthesia so that you will be asleep during the procedure. Incisions are commonly made around the areola, including a vertical incision down the lower middle of the breast and along the lower breast crease, which forms an inverted T. After making the incisions, excess fat, breast tissue, and skin are removed, allowing Dr. Kaweski to reshape the breasts and reposition the areola. The incisions are then closed by dissolvable sutures. The surgery can take anywhere from four to six hours to complete.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Breast Reduction?

The best candidates for breast reduction are women in the San Diego area who experience physical discomfort or lifestyle limitations due to overly large breasts. This often includes chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain, skin irritation beneath the breasts, deep shoulder grooves from bra straps, or numbness caused by nerve compression.

Ideal candidates are generally in good health, maintain a stable weight, and do not smoke, as smoking can interfere with healing.

Dr. Kaweski carefully evaluates each patient’s anatomy, symptoms, and goals to determine if breast reduction is a safe and effective option.

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction has become one of the fastest-growing breast procedures in recent years. In 2024, it made up about 13% of all cosmetic breast surgeries, up from 9% a decade ago. It also has shown the highest 10-year growth rate among breast procedures, increasing by about 6.4% each year, showing patient satisfaction with comfort, balance, and proportion over added volume alone.²

Patients can expect:

Better Clothing Fit and Wardrobe Options

Bras and clothes will now fit better, and more wardrobe options mean more styles to choose from.

Relief from Physical and Emotional Discomfort

Large breasts can cause recurrent back, neck, and shoulder pain due to their weight, and mammoplasty can relieve these symptoms, as well as rashes and skin irritation that come from tight bra straps and chafing under the breasts. Well-proportioned breasts also prevent the unwanted gaze that too large breasts usually receive.

Permanent Relief from Shoulder Grooves

Breast reduction surgery prevents further damage to the shoulders, as bra straps no longer dig into them.

Alleviates Nerve Pain

With aging, the shoulders will roll forward, which results in compressing nerve fibers between the shoulder blades, ribs, and collarbone. Breast reduction surgery gives necessary relief from nerve pain and prevents further complications.

Participation in Physical Activities

Huge breasts can limit movement during exercise or daily activities. Breast reduction allows you to enjoy physical activities with more freedom and comfort.

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What’s the First Step?

Dr. Kaweski will discuss a personalized treatment plan with you that best suits your body’s needs. Breast reduction surgery requires a comprehensive understanding of what can happen during and after surgery, as well as the other factors that can help achieve the best possible results.

What to Expect on the Day of Breast Reduction Surgery

To ensure that breast reduction surgery runs smoothly and your healing proceeds without complications, Dr. Kaweski typically advises patients at the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery to pre-arrange transportation after surgery. You will undergo general anesthesia, and this will impede your motor skills for a while. Dr. Kaweski will make two to three incisions around the breasts and areolas. A short scar or lollipop breast reduction requires two incisions, suitable for moderately large breasts. Three incisions are made for the inverted-T or anchor breast reduction, which is used for larger reductions.

Once the incisions are done, Dr. Kaweski will remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, and reshape the breast. The nipple and areola are also repositioned on the chest to match the new breast shape. Suturing soon follows to close the incisions, and these are layered deep within the breast tissue.

A close-up shot of Dr. Kaweski in a surgical environment, wearing a colorful patterned scrub cap and blue gloves. She is carefully examining a patient's face under bright surgical lights.

A grayscale, faded image of a classical Roman-style female bust wearing a pearl necklace, positioned next to an orchid plant.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Breast Reduction Care

After surgery, bruising and swelling are fairly common, and the discomfort will dissipate in a few days. Dr. Kaweski will provide post-operative instructions for you to follow and prescribe medications to be taken promptly to facilitate faster healing.

Dr. Kaweski will recommend that you do not lie down on your stomach but rather in a reclining position, with pillows propped behind your back. You may return to your regular activities in 7-10 days, and exercise and heavy lifting in a month. Recovery can last up to six weeks, and your breasts will settle into their new shape and position in six months.

Dr. Kaweski and her team at Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery are dedicated to supporting you throughout your consultation, surgery, and recovery to maintain your desired results. Consistent follow-up appointments allow for adjustments in treatment and help ensure your aesthetic goals are achieved.

How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost in San Diego, CA?

The cost of a breast reduction in La Mesa and the greater San Diego area depends on the complexity of your procedure, the amount of tissue removed, the surgical technique used, your anesthesia fees, and facility costs.

During your consultation, Dr. Kaweski will develop a surgical plan and provide a detailed cost estimate. In some cases, breast reduction may qualify for partial insurance coverage if it is considered medically necessary due to chronic pain or functional limitations.

Why Choose Dr. Kaweski?

Dr. Susan Kaweski’s Expertise: With Dr. Kaweski’s extensive expertise in breast surgery, including breast reduction procedures, patients can trust in her skill and dedication to achieving optimal results that enhance comfort and aesthetics.
Personalized Approach: Dr. Kaweski tailors a breast reduction treatment plan to each patient’s unique anatomy, concerns, and desired outcomes.
Advanced Surgical Facilities: Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the latest technology and amenities, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for breast reduction procedures and meeting the highest standards of excellence in plastic surgery.
Comprehensive Care: From thorough preoperative evaluations to attentive post-operative follow-up, Dr. Kaweski and her team provide comprehensive care and support throughout every stage of the breast reduction journey, prioritizing patient safety and satisfaction.
Exceptional Results: Dr. Kaweski’s expertise and commitment to achieving natural-looking results mean patients can expect exceptional outcomes that alleviate discomfort, improve proportion, and enhance overall well-being, fostering confidence and satisfaction.

A full group portrait of Dr. Kaweski and her team standing on the brick steps of their office. Dr. Kaweski is at the center in a white coat, surrounded by her professional medical and administrative staff in black scrubs and business attire.

Breast Reduction FAQ’S

Breast reduction typically involves multiple appointments to ensure proper planning and safe healing. Patients begin with an in-depth consultation and may have a preoperative visit before surgery.

After your procedure, follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, remove sutures if needed, and confirm that recovery is progressing smoothly. Most of our San Diego area patients attend several follow-up visits within the first few months.
Yes, many of our patients choose to pair a breast reduction with liposuction, tummy tuck, or body lift as part of a more complete physical refresh.

Dr. Kaweski carefully evaluates your health, goals, and surgical timeline during your consultation to determine which combinations are safe and appropriate while prioritizing natural-looking results and patient safety.
Risks may include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, or unfavorable scarring. Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation can occur, and in some cases, patients may experience asymmetry or irregular breast shape as healing progresses.

There is also a possibility of difficulty breastfeeding in the future, particularly when a significant amount of tissue is removed. Swelling and bruising are expected during early recovery and typically resolve over time.
Choosing the right surgeon involves reviewing board certification, experience, and patient outcomes. Dr. Susan Kaweski is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has experience performing breast procedures. Her personalized approach, attention to detail, and commitment to her patients’ care make her a trusted choice for breast reduction in the San Diego area.

Scheduling a consultation allows you to review her credentials, discuss expectations, and determine if her approach aligns with your goals.

Sources

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. “ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2024.” ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures, 2024, www.isaps.org/media/razfvmsk/isaps-global-survey-2024.pdf.

“Plastic Surgery Data Reveals a Cultural Shift in Cosmetic Breast Procedures.” FinancialContent, 30 June 2025, www.financialcontent.com/article/marketersmedia-2025-6-30-plastic-surgery-data-reveals-a-cultural-shift-in-cosmetic-breast-procedures.

Discover What’s Possible

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are in the San Diego area and ready for a lighter, more comfortable way of living, reach out to the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery for a breast reduction consultation.

Call (619) 464-9876 to schedule your visit and start your journey toward a more balanced, comfortable you.

Contact

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Breast Reduction San Diego, CA