Breast Reduction Surgery in Seattle & Tacoma

Living with heavy breasts can become challenging when they cause neck, back, or shoulder pain, bra-strap grooves, skin irritation, or trouble exercising. At Seattle Plastic Surgery, our goal during breast reduction surgery in Seattle is to create a smaller, lighter breast size that fits your body while keeping results natural-looking and balanced.

Your surgical care is led by board-certified surgeons, Dr. Tarak Patel and Dr. Craig Jonov. Dr. Patel is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a deep background in complex care from his 25 years of U.S. Army service. Dr. Jonov has over 20 years of experience practicing in a fully JCAHO-accredited surgical facility focused on safety and comfort. Our experienced surgeons can help you explore whether breast reduction surgery is the right step toward lasting relief.

Why Do People Get Breast Reduction Surgery In Seattle & Tacoma?

Women who developed overly large breasts in their lives and still struggle with them today often turn to breast reduction surgery in Seattle to alleviate associated issues. At Seattle Plastic Surgery, we offer breast reduction surgery to minimize breast size and improve the patient’s quality of life to patients in Seattle, Tacoma, and the surrounding areas.

When patients undergo Seattle breast reduction surgery, your cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin and tissue from the breasts that contribute to the weight of the breasts. This weight and size can cause health issues such as back and neck problems and hygiene concerns as well.

Health Problems Caused By Overly Large Breasts:

Some individuals are born with overly developed or large breasts in proportion to their natural frame and body. This can cause many concerning and uncomfortable medical problems. Health problems associated with an overly large bust include:

• Neck, back, and shoulder pain
• Rashes and infections on or around the breasts
• Migraines or other headaches
• Numbness
• Mental health concerns

Along with this, women with larger breasts may have issues finding a bra that fits or that doesn’t dig into their shoulders. Especially with an active lifestyle, overly large breasts can be a burden to your everyday life and activities. In fact, your breasts may make it impossible or extremely uncomfortable to exercise. They may even affect your posture. At this point, a breast reduction surgery Seattle may be necessary to improve your quality of life.

Who Are Good Candidates For Seattle Breast Reduction?

During a consultation, Dr. Patel or Dr. Jonov will review several factors to determine whether breast reduction Seattle is right for you, including:

• Stable, healthy body weight: Being at a consistent weight helps maintain long-term results, since weight changes can affect breast size and shape before or after surgery.
• Ongoing physical discomfort: Patients often experience neck, back, or shoulder pain, bra-strap grooves, skin irritation, or difficulty exercising due to heavy breasts.
• Non-smokers or willing to quit: Smoking can slow healing and increase the risk of complications, so patients should be non-smokers or prepared to stop smoking well before surgery.
• Good overall health: Certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, cancer, or uncontrolled illnesses, may increase surgical risk, though many well-managed conditions do not prevent surgery.
• Commitment to a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced diet and stable weight after surgery helps preserve results and overall breast shape.

This is why in your consultation with our Seattle plastic surgeons, you must give a full and extensive medical history. Understanding your general health and needs for the surgery, will better help your plastic surgeon cater your Tacoma breast reduction to fit you. If they decide that a breast reduction is possible and would benefit you, they will discuss the procedure in detail and help you understand how they can help you meet your aesthetic goals.

Breast Reduction Revision

Breast reduction revision is a follow-up surgery done when a patient wants to improve the results of a previous breast reduction. Some people seek revision to correct uneven breast shape, address leftover discomfort, improve scarring, or make further size adjustments after weight changes or healing. Dr. Patel and Dr. Jonov carefully evaluate the original surgery, current concerns, and breast tissue health to decide if a revision is safe and helpful. The goal is to improve comfort, balance, and appearance while keeping safety the top priority.

Recovery From Breast Reduction Surgery in Seattle

Immediately After Surgery Breast Reduction Seattle

When you leave our office following your breast reduction procedure Seattle, your upper body will be tightly wrapped with compression garments and you will need someone to take you home. You should arrange for at-home assistance for at least a couple of days following your procedure. This will help ensure you a comfortable and safe recovery.

Immediately following surgery, you may experience swelling and discomfort. Your Seattle plastic surgeon will prescribe medication to help you manage pain as necessary. As you heal, the swelling will dissipate and your breasts will take on their more natural shape. For up to two weeks, you may need to stay home from work. You will also not be able to lift heavy objects and should limit exercise for several weeks to help your body recover. You will be able to walk shortly after surgery and we encourage you to get up and around as soon as you can to prevent blood clots from forming.

Over The Next Few Weeks

As you heal from your breast reduction surgery, you will see the benefits of the procedure. Your breast size will normalize and you will be able to better fit into clothing. You should also experience relief from neck and back pain. You will not be able to buy new bras immediately, but you should see a reduction in the size of your breasts once the swelling goes down (and possibly even before depending on how much tissue was removed).

Over the next year or so, any scarring from your surgery will fade and flatten out. To help with post-surgery scarring, we will introduce you to our proprietary scar treatment system that helps reduce the chances of visible scarring once fully healed. It also helps prevent infection. We will continue to monitor you with post-operative appointments. We urge you to contact us if you have questions or feel concerned at any point during your recovery.

Seattle & Tacoma Breast Reduction Specialists

At Seattle Plastic Surgery, we specialize in breast surgeries, including breast reduction. Located conveniently across from Swedish Hospital on Broadway, our office has state-of-the-art equipment and various amenities like freshly baked cookies, coffee, and water for your consultation and non-surgery day appointments. Our goals is to ensure your safety and comfort from the consultation appointment through to your last post-op.

Breast reduction surgeries require an experienced and talented surgeon to know just how much breast tissue to remove and whether or not the nipple needs repositioned. Your Seattle plastic surgeon can advise you on these matters and will work with you to custom tailor your breast reduction surgery.

During your initial consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will ask about your breasts, the problems they cause, and why you are seeking a reduction. They will then inquire about your medical history and goals for the procedure. Once they have a good understanding of you and your goals, they will perform a physical examination of the breasts.  This will help them determine if you are a good candidate for a breast reduction in Seattle and Tacoma. If you are, your plastic surgeon will thoroughly explain the procedure and help you come up with a surgical plan.

To schedule a consultation, call us at 206-324-1120 or fill out the contact form above.

Still Have Questions?

Give us a call at 206-324-1120. Chat by clicking the icon in the lower left hand corner of your screen. Or, additionally, you can contact us by filling out the form above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do your breasts need to be to get a reduction?

There is no exact cup size required to qualify for breast reduction surgery in Seattle. What matters most is whether your breast size is causing pain, discomfort, or limits your daily activities. Dr. Patel and Dr. Jonov focus on symptoms like back, neck, and shoulder pain rather than just numbers on a bra tag. During a consultation, they evaluate your body frame and how your breasts affect your quality of life.

What are the downsides of breast reduction?

Like any surgery, breast reduction has risks such as scarring, swelling, or temporary numbness. Some patients may have changes in nipple sensation or difficulty breastfeeding in the future. Dr. Jonov and Dr. Patel carefully explain these risks ahead of time so patients know what to expect. For many, the relief from pain outweighs the downsides.

What disqualifies you from a breast reduction in Seattle?

Certain health conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, or active cancer, may make surgery unsafe. Smoking can also increase healing problems if not stopped well before surgery. Dr. Patel reviews your full medical history to make sure surgery can be done safely. Many conditions are still acceptable if they are well managed.

What is the safest age for breast reduction?

Breast reduction is usually safest once breast development is complete, often after the late teens. There is no upper age limit as long as you are healthy enough for surgery. Dr. Jonov regularly performs breast reduction on both younger adults and older patients. Safety depends more on overall health than age alone.

What is the ideal weight for a breast reduction?

There is no single ideal weight, but being close to your stable, healthy weight is important. Large weight changes before or after surgery can affect results. Dr. Patel recommends maintaining a steady weight to help keep breast size consistent long term. A healthy lifestyle also supports better healing.

How painful is breast reduction surgery?

Most patients describe breast reduction pain as moderate and manageable. Pain is usually strongest in the first few days and improves steadily after that. Dr. Jonov provides pain control options and clear recovery instructions to keep patients comfortable. Many people say the long-term relief is worth the short recovery discomfort.

How much does it cost to reduce the size of your breasts?

The cost of breast reduction varies based on the amount of tissue removed, surgical time, and facility fees. At Seattle Plastic Surgery, a breast reduction surgery in Seattle typically costs $8995. Exact costs are discussed only after a personalized surgical plan is created.

How long after a breast reduction can I go braless?

Most patients need to wear a supportive surgical bra for several weeks after surgery. Going braless is usually safe after healing has progressed, often around 6 to 8 weeks. Dr. Jonov gives specific guidance based on how well you are healing. Following these instructions helps protect your results.

Which size of breast is heavy?

Breasts are considered heavy when their weight causes physical symptoms like pain, posture problems, or deep bra-strap grooves. This can happen at different cup sizes depending on body frame and breast density. Dr. Patel focuses on how the breasts feel and function, not just how large they look. If your breasts cause daily discomfort, they may be considered heavy for your body.

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