Surgery that removes breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce size and relieve the neck, back, and shoulder pain that large breasts cause, and one of the few cosmetic operations insurance sometimes covers. Compare San Diego clinics below and request a free consultation.
$8,000–$15,000
per procedure · USD
A general range for San Diego, rounded for guidance. Confirm exact pricing with each clinic.
Plastic surgeons in San Diego who list breast reduction among their procedures. Tap any surgeon to view details and request a consultation.
San Diego
Sadrian Plastic Surgery, Laser & Skin Care Institute of San Diego is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 5 stars across 363 Google reviews, performing 16 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Charlie Chen, M.D. is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 5 stars across 140 Google reviews, performing 13 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Robert Kearney, MD, FACS is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 5 stars across 65 Google reviews, performing 12 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Dr. Jordan Kaplan is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 5 stars across 60 Google reviews, performing 13 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Belladerma Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Care Center is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.9 stars across 323 Google reviews, performing 15 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.9 stars across 264 Google reviews, performing 14 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Evolve Aesthetic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.9 stars across 49 Google reviews, performing 13 tracked procedures.
San Diego
Alexander Cosmetic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.8 stars across 45 Google reviews, performing 13 tracked procedures.
Surgery that removes breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce size and relieve the neck, back, and shoulder pain that large breasts cause, and one of the few cosmetic operations insurance sometimes covers.
One procedure, results are long lasting at stable weight
1 to 2 weeks off work, 6 weeks before full exercise
People with physical symptoms from breast size including back and neck pain, shoulder grooving from bra straps, rashes beneath the breasts, or difficulty exercising
Typical Breast Reduction pricing in San Diego runs $8,000–$15,000 per procedure. The biggest variables are the provider's experience level and the specific device or product used — newer technology and senior injectors price at the upper end. Pricing is quoted in US dollars (USD). Request a consultation from any of our listed San Diego clinics for a personalized quote.
Results vary by patient, but most San Diego providers report 6–18 months of sustained benefit from a full Breast Reduction series.
Most patients wait 24 hours before applying makeup to avoid irritation on freshly-treated skin.
Often, and more often than patients expect, but carriers set specific criteria. Typically they want documented symptoms such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, evidence you have tried conservative measures like physical therapy or supportive garments, and sometimes a minimum amount of tissue to be removed based on your height and weight. Photographs are usually required. Start the process early because approval can take weeks, and ask the surgeon's office whether they handle the pre-authorization, since experienced offices do this routinely.
Surgeons discuss this in grams removed rather than cup sizes, because cup sizing is not standardized across brands. Most patients go down two to three cup sizes. The goal is proportion to your frame rather than a specific letter, and the surgeon also balances how much tissue insurance may require removed against what looks right for your body. Bring photos of the outcome you have in mind.
Breast reduction consistently records among the highest satisfaction rates of any surgical procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, in published outcome studies. The reason is that it solves a functional problem and a cosmetic one simultaneously. Patients frequently describe the relief from physical symptoms as more significant than the change in appearance.
Some patients can and some cannot, and it is difficult to predict individually. Reduction removes glandular tissue and repositions the nipple, both of which can affect milk production and duct continuity. If you plan to breastfeed in future, discuss it explicitly, because certain techniques preserve more of the ductal system, and some patients choose to delay surgery until after childbearing.
Most reductions use either a vertical lollipop pattern or an anchor pattern including a scar along the fold. They are permanent. Patients in this operation are, in general, notably accepting of scars because the symptom relief is so significant, but you should see photographs of typical scar outcomes at consultation so nothing surprises you afterward.
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