Is Breast Reduction Painful?

Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be unconscious during surgery and will not feel any pain. After surgery, a moderate amount of soreness in the chest is to be expected. Dr. Sato will ensure your healing process is comfortable and stress-free by providing prescription pain medications and a compression garment to help reduce swelling. Within a few days, most patients are able to switch to over-the-counter painkillers.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

In addition to your consultation and surgery date, you will need to return to the office several times so that Dr. Sato can assess your healing progress and ensure you remain free from postoperative complications.

How Long Until I See Results?

Initial swelling after breast reduction can make your breasts appear larger than they actually are, causing you to doubt the effectiveness of the procedure. Rest assured, your final breast shape will gradually emerge in the coming weeks and months, with full results visible after 4-6 months.

What will the scarring look like?

Scarring with breast reduction is usually well-hidden by the bra line. Dr. Sato can discuss scarring considerations with you in more detail during your private Houston consultation.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Breast Reduction?

Patients are encouraged to wait 4-6 weeks before resuming strenuous physical activity.

Can I Combine Breast Reduction With Other Procedures?

Yes. Breast augmentation is often combined with liposuction, abdominoplasty, or another cosmetic procedure to provide more comprehensive anti-aging results. If you are interested in undergoing more than one aesthetic surgery at the same time, speak with Dr. Sato during your consultation.

What Are the Risks Associated With Breast Reduction?

Surgical risks are minimized by choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Erika Sato in Houston, TX. However, all surgeries come with inherent risks. For breast reduction, these include: Infection Scarring Fluid buildup Asymmetry Loss of skin sensation Fat necrosis Bleeding Bruising Swelling Poor reactions to anesthesia

How Do I Find the Best Houston Breast Reduction Plastic Surgeon Near Me?

Reviewing your provider’s credentials, education, and before-and-after photos and testimonials is always important. Additionally, you should be able to communicate well with your surgeon and feel comfortable being honest with them. Dr. Sato invites you to schedule a private consultation with her in Houston, Texas, to see if she is a good match for accomplishing your cosmetic goals.

Houston, TX

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Breast Reduction

Introduction to Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure to relieve women of the discomfort and pain associated with oversized, pendulous breasts. The procedure can help restore a more proportionate, youthful-looking silhouette, enhanced mobility, and a boost in self-esteem. Dr. Erika Sato, a board-certified body contouring specialist, utilizes today’s most advanced techniques while providing a concierge patient experience at her world-class AAAASF-certified facility in Houston, Texas.

Before + After

Breast Reduction Results

Breast Reduction B&A

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Achieve Balance

What is Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is performed to reshape heavy, oversized breasts that are out of proportion in relation to the rest of the figure. Women with overly large breasts often suffer a wide range of physical ailments, including back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin chafing and irritation from bra straps, fatigue, and loss of stamina. Additionally, living with enlarged breasts can be emotionally distressing, causing a drop in self-esteem and confidence.

During surgery, Dr. Sato will remove excess tissue, skin, and fat, sculpting new breast mounds that are balanced, attractive, and youthful. In some cases, she will need to perform free nipple grafting, which allows her to move the nipples to a higher position that better complements the newly contoured breasts.

A woman in a black bra standing by a window, with soft, natural light highlighting her face and upper body - Breast Reduction in Houston, TX

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?

Breast reduction has a high rate of patient satisfaction due to the multiple ways it can transform a woman’s self-esteem, comfort, and quality of life. Advantages include:

Removes excess weight from the chest
Creates perkier, more youthful-looking breasts
Alleviates discomfort, chafing, irritation, and pain
Enhances mobility and stamina
Allows for a wider range of clothing options
Boosts self-confidence
Combats physical changes after pregnancy or aging
Long-lasting outcome
Natural-looking results

Who Are the Best Candidates for Breast Reduction?

Ideal candidates for breast reduction are healthy, non-smoking women who have realistic expectations for their results and are willing to follow Dr. Sato’s instructions before and after surgery. They are typically looking to do down several cup sizes, something that can be difficult to achieve through dieting and exercise alone. Excess breast weight can be genetic, or it can be the result of pregnancy/childbirth or the natural aging process. Dr. Sato will discuss your options for improvement during your private consultation in Houston, ensuring you fully understand what is and isn’t possible with breast reduction so you can make an informed and empowered decision when moving forward.

Let’s Get Started

What’s the first step?

During your breast reduction consultation with Dr. Erika Sato, you will learn more about your options for creating your ideal breast appearance. Dr. Sato will discuss your goals and expectations while explaining the technical details of your chosen procedure. This discussion is of vital importance so you can achieve the balanced, customized results you desire. There are several different types of incisions that may be used for this procedure, and Dr. Sato will determine the best approach after evaluating your breasts. She will also review your medical history, going over any allergies, pre-existing conditions, or previous cosmetic procedures to ensure your breast reduction will be safe and successful.

What to Expect on the Day of Breast Reduction Surgery

Prior to surgery, you should fill your prescriptions and schedule a responsible adult to drive you home, as your procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and you will need assistance for the first 24-48 hours.

Surgery is performed in one of Dr. Sato’s AAAASF-certified operating rooms, where you will be carefully monitored as you rest peacefully under anesthesia. Total treatment time can extend from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the techniques utilized and the desired degree of changes.

Once you are asleep, Dr. Sato will create incisions according to your predetermined treatment plan. The most common incision pattern is the anchor incision, which encircles the areola, runs down vertically to the breast crease, and then extends horizontally along the inframammary fold. Through your incisions, Dr. Sato will remove excess skin, fat, and tissue, reshaping the breast mounds to appear more balanced, proportionate, and rejuvenated. The nipples and areolas are repositioned to accommodate the new breast size. Areola reduction may also take place to ensure an aesthetically pleasing final outcome.

Breast Reduction Recovery

After breast reduction, most women can return to work in 10-14 days. You will likely experience soreness, bruising, and swelling, which can last for several days. Paper tape will be placed over the incisions and left in place for 1-2 weeks. A surgical bra should be worn for several weeks as your body heals. Scars will continue to fade with time and can usually be concealed by clothing, including bras, bathing suits, and low-cut tops. Strenuous activities should be avoided during recovery until the incisions are fully healed, typically after 4-6 weeks.

How Much Does Breast Reduction Cost in Houston, TX?

Pricing for breast reduction in Houston varies based on the specific techniques utilized, the extent of the work performed, and whether any other cosmetic treatments are performed at the same time, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck. After completing a physical assessment at her office in Houston, TX, Dr. Sato will provide you with a customized quote for services.

Why Choose Dr. Sato?

Dr. Erika Sato, who is in Houston, TX, is a highly skilled board-certified plastic surgeon credentialed by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS). She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Texas Medical Association (TMA), and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). While performing the full range of cosmetic solutions for the face, breasts, and body, Dr. Sato insists on a personalized approach and concierge care. Her facility is equipped with two AAAASF-certified operating rooms and is conveniently located next door to the Memorial Houston Surgery Center.

Throughout her impressive career, Dr. Sato has been cited for excellence by a wide range of noteworthy publications and organizations. From 2022 to 2024, she received the Texas Super Doctors award from Texas Monthly, and in 2021 and 2023, Newsweek chose Dr. Sato as one of America’s “Best Plastic Surgeons for Liposuction.” Dr. Sato was also lauded as a Top Doctor by TX Top Doc and was the Houston Chronicle’s choice for Best Plastic Surgeons in Houston. On Bravo’s Married to Medicine Houston, Dr. Sato appeared as a cast member.

Breast Reduction FAQ’S

Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be unconscious during surgery and will not feel any pain. After surgery, a moderate amount of soreness in the chest is to be expected. Dr. Sato will ensure your healing process is comfortable and stress-free by providing prescription pain medications and a compression garment to help reduce swelling. Within a few days, most patients are able to switch to over-the-counter painkillers.
Surgical risks are minimized by choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Erika Sato in Houston, TX. However, all surgeries come with inherent risks. For breast reduction, these include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Fluid buildup
- Asymmetry
- Loss of skin sensation
- Fat necrosis
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Poor reactions to anesthesia
Reviewing your provider’s credentials, education, and before-and-after photos and testimonials is always important. Additionally, you should be able to communicate well with your surgeon and feel comfortable being honest with them. Dr. Sato invites you to schedule a private consultation with her in Houston, Texas, to see if she is a good match for accomplishing your cosmetic goals.

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@dr.erikasato

Schedule a consultation

If excess breast weight is interfering with your comfort and causing you to feel self-conscious about your appearance, contact Dr. Erika Sato in Houston, TX, for a private consultation today. She will review your concerns and curate a customized treatment plan that allows you to reclaim your youthful, streamlined figure and self-confidence.

Schedule a Consultation