The Breasts
Breast Reduction
Relief, Proportion, and Renewed Confidence.
Relief, Proportion, and Renewed Confidence.
For many women, overly large breasts are not an aesthetic preference but a daily physical burden. Over 25 years of practice, Dr. Schwartz has seen how this weight causes chronic neck and back pain, skin irritation, and significant limitations on an active lifestyle. Our approach at Edition Plastic Surgery is centered on restoring a sense of harmony and proportion to the body. It is among the most impactful procedures Dr. Schwartz performs, offering our patients both immediate physical relief and a profound improvement in quality of life.
Dr. Schwartz approaches every reduction with the same aesthetic precision he brings to augmentation—the goal is not merely smaller breasts, but a beautifully proportioned result that aligns with your natural silhouette. Technically, Dr. Schwartz prioritizes precision by carefully removing excess glandular tissue and skin, often utilizing liposuction for more refined fat removal and contouring. This procedure typically incorporates a breast lift to reposition the nipple and areola into a more youthful, anatomically correct position. Dr. Schwartz utilizes advanced incision techniques tailored to your specific degree of reduction, whether using a vertical or anchor method, always with a focus on minimizing scarring and ensuring a smooth, predictable recovery.
The decision to undergo a breast reduction is deeply personal, and at Edition, we believe the care you receive should reflect that. From your first consultation through every post-operative milestone, our team is committed to providing a direct, compassionate environment where you feel fully supported. It is incredibly rewarding for us to help our patients move through the world with a renewed sense of physical relief and newfound confidence in their appearance.
Dr. Schwartz utilizes the vertical (short-scar) or Wise-pattern (anchor) incision techniques to achieve a refined shape with minimal scarring. At Edition, our approach centers on precisely removing excess glandular tissue and skin while reshaping the breast into a youthful, projected contour that is perfectly customized to your unique anatomy.
Every breast reduction at Edition Plastic Surgery naturally incorporates a breast lift to ensure the remaining tissue is positioned higher and firmer on the chest wall. This comprehensive approach addresses both physical weight and the sagging that often accompanies larger breasts, resulting in a balanced silhouette that alleviates discomfort while enhancing your proportions.
During the procedure, the nipple-areolar complex is elevated and the areola is resized to match your new breast proportions. Dr. Schwartz utilizes a specialized pedicle technique designed to preserve blood supply and sensation, maintaining the potential for future breastfeeding while achieving a natural, aesthetically pleasing placement on the breast mound.
To ensure a seamless transition between the breast and the chest wall, Dr. Schwartz often utilizes liposuction as an adjunct to refine the lateral contour and address underarm fullness. We prioritize this extra level of detail to create a smoother, more harmonious transition, ensuring your results look natural from every angle.
For your safety and comfort, breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia in our private surgical facility. While Dr. Schwartz typically places small surgical drains for a short period to manage swelling, most of our patients find the initial recovery manageable and are able to return to work within four to seven days.
Breast reduction is one of the few procedures that may qualify for insurance coverage when it addresses documented medical issues like chronic back pain or nerve symptoms. Our team is highly experienced in preparing the required clinical documentation and will guide you through the submission process during your consultation.
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All photographs are of actual Edition Plastic Surgery patients. Individual results may vary.
From your first consultation through full recovery, every step of the Edition experience is defined by precision, transparency, and exceptional care.
Dr. Schwartz will conduct a thorough evaluation of your anatomy, discuss your symptoms, goals, and concerns, and outline a surgical plan tailored to your frame. If insurance coverage is a possibility, his team will advise you on the documentation process at this appointment.
Once you have decided to proceed, our patient concierge coordinates all pre-operative requirements — lab work, medical clearance, and a comprehensive preparation guide. Insurance pre-authorization, where applicable, is managed by our team on your behalf.
Breast reduction is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, typically taking two to four hours depending on volume and technique. You are discharged the same day with surgical drains if placed, all post-operative supplies, and written instructions.
Many patients report a dramatic reduction in back and neck pain within the first days of recovery — often before the swelling has even subsided. A supportive surgical bra is worn continuously. Light activity around the home is appropriate from day one, with a follow-up appointment in the first week to assess healing.
Most patients return to desk work within 7–10 days. Exercise and strenuous activity are reintroduced gradually over six to eight weeks. Scars will initially appear pink and slightly raised — this is normal and expected. Dr. Schwartz provides a scar management protocol to optimize long-term healing.
The breast shape continues to refine as swelling resolves and tissues settle over three to six months. Scars mature and fade significantly over twelve to eighteen months. Most patients describe the final result as transformative — not just aesthetically, but in terms of physical comfort and daily freedom.
Breast reduction demands equal measures of surgical precision and aesthetic judgment. Removing volume is straightforward; creating a beautifully shaped, proportionate, and naturally positioned breast requires a surgeon who approaches reduction with the same artistry as augmentation. That is the Edition standard.
Full Credentials →Breast reduction candidates range widely in age and circumstance. Whether your concern is primarily physical, aesthetic, or both, a consultation will clarify what is possible.
Dr. Schwartz's consultations are private, unhurried, and without obligation. If you are unsure whether surgery is appropriate, that conversation is exactly where to start.
Answers to the questions Dr. Schwartz hears most often from breast reduction patients.
If your breasts are physically heavy enough to cause chronic neck and back pain, skin irritation, or prevent you from leading an active lifestyle, you are likely an ideal candidate. At Edition, Dr. Schwartz looks for patients who are at a stable, healthy weight and have realistic expectations about achieving a more proportional silhouette that balances their frame.
The primary goal for many of our patients is physical relief. By removing excess tissue and skin, Dr. Schwartz shifts your center of gravity and significantly reduces the strain on your musculoskeletal system. Most women report an immediate and dramatic reduction in neck, back, and shoulder discomfort within the first few days of recovery.
Most of our patients return to desk work within 7–10 days. You will wear a surgical bra to support the healing tissue, and Dr. Schwartz may use temporary drainage tubes to manage swelling. While you will feel lighter almost immediately, the breasts typically take about a month to settle. At Edition, we restrict strenuous exercise for six to eight weeks to ensure your internal incisions heal perfectly.
While scarring is inevitable, Dr. Schwartz uses advanced techniques honed over 25 years to minimize the footprint of these incisions. He utilizes the vertical technique whenever anatomy permits, limiting scars to the area around the areola and a short vertical line. These fade significantly over 12–18 months and are positioned to be easily hidden by a bra or swimsuit.
Yes. To achieve a natural and aesthetic result, Dr. Schwartz resizes the areola and repositions the nipple to a higher, more youthful position that is proportional to your new breast size. He prioritizes surgical techniques that preserve the nipple pedicle and glandular connections to maintain sensation and, where possible, the potential for future breastfeeding.
Breast reduction produces long-lasting, durable results. While your breasts will continue to respond to significant weight changes, pregnancy, and the natural aging process, the proportional improvement remains. Our patients at Edition Plastic Surgery typically report sustained satisfaction and physical relief for many years following their procedure.
As with any surgery under general anesthesia, risks include infection, bleeding, or changes in nipple sensation. During your consultation, Dr. Schwartz performs a thorough medical review to ensure you are a safe surgical candidate. Our priority is providing the highest level of care and utilizing precise surgical techniques to minimize these risks while achieving your aesthetic goals.
Many insurance plans cover breast reduction when medical necessity—such as chronic pain or nerve symptoms—is documented. Our team will guide you through the documentation and pre-authorization process. For those proceeding privately, cost varies based on the complexity of the case. We provide a detailed, transparent quote following your personal consultation with Dr. Schwartz.
Dr. Schwartz performs breast reduction as an outpatient procedure at Edition Plastic Surgery, allowing you to return home the same day to begin your recovery in comfort. Most of our patients feel ready to return to work and light daily activities within seven to ten days, though Dr. Schwartz recommends wearing a medical sports bra during this initial period to support your new contours and optimize healing. While light walking is encouraged, you will gradually resume full exercise over six to eight weeks as your breasts settle into their permanent, balanced position and post-operative swelling subsides. Throughout this process, our patient concierge team provides a highly coordinated aftercare experience—including specialized scar management and attentive follow-up—to ensure your recovery is as comfortable and well-supported as the surgery was precise.