What is a Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce breast size and improve shape.
Breast reduction accounted for about 5% of all cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2024, out of nearly 1.6 million total cosmetic surgeries, and is among the top breast procedures in the U.S., alongside breast augmentation and breast lift, according to ASPS.1
The goal of the procedure is to create breasts that are more proportional to the rest of the body while relieving the physical strain that large breasts can place on the neck, shoulders, and back.
During surgery, the surgeon reshapes the remaining breast tissue to create a natural contour. The breast mound, including the nipples and areolas, is repositioned on the chest wall to maintain a youthful appearance and proper proportion.
In many cases, the size of the areola may also be reduced so it appears balanced with the new breast size.
According to AccuThrive, breast reduction has steadily grown in popularity over the past decade, increasing by roughly 59% since 2019 as more patients cite comfort and proportion as key motivators for choosing the procedure.2