Procedures

Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction

Women with disproportionately large breasts often face more than feeling self-conscious about their bodies. Large, heavy breasts can also lead to uncomfortable and painful physical symptoms like back, shoulder and neck pain, which can be debilitating for many women. Some patients also experience skin irritation and rashes due to the chafing underneath the breasts, while others suffer permanent indentations in their shoulder from over-taxed bra straps.

In addition to the physical discomfort, many women avoid certain activities, exercise or types of clothing because of the size and shape of their breasts. If left untreated, these concerns can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Breast reduction surgery will alleviate symptoms related to large breasts.

With over 24 years of experience in breast reduction procedures, specialist plastic surgeon Dr Leana Teston has the skills and knowledge required to perform your breast reduction safely and successfully. Further, a breast reduction will enhance the shape and positioning of the breasts and restore a shapely, more youthful body profile.

What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce overly large breasts by removing excess skin and breast tissue. Many women seek breast reduction surgery to correct the effects of hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or menopause, or to address the shifting of fat deposits that occur with age. Regardless of your concerns, this treatment can help you achieve a slimmer, more toned breast contour that improves your comfort and complements your natural physique. Based on your detailed consultation, Dr Teston will design an individualised treatment plan that balances your aesthetic desires with your functional needs to create beautiful and satisfying results.

Who is a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

A breast reduction is an excellent option for women who are unhappy with the size, shape and appearance of excessively large or disproportionate breasts. If you feel embarrassed or self-conscious by your breasts due to their prominence in certain types of clothing, or you feel uncomfortable engaging in exercise or other physical activity, breast reduction surgery offers a long-lasting solution.

Reduction mammoplasty can be performed on women of all ages. Since the results can both affect and be affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women choose to wait until they are finished having children. Choosing to undergo surgery is a highly personal decision. In your consultation, Dr Teston will examine your concerns and condition to ensure a breast reduction is right for you.

What are the Benefits of Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction surgery offers a myriad of benefits for patients seeking to correct large breasts. This procedure serves to address both emotional and physical concerns that arise due to enlarged breasts. The benefits of a breast reduction include:

  • Reduced strain on the back, neck and shoulders
  • Increased comfort and ability to participate in physical activity
  • Reduced irritation or rashes under the breasts
  • Increased confidence and comfort in clothing
  • Balanced, well-proportioned breasts that complement your figure
  • A healthier and more active lifestyle
  • Improved self-esteem and quality of life

Preparing for A Breast Reduction

Your treatment journey will begin with an in-person consultation at Dr Teston’s clinic in Sydney, NSW. This appointment is an ideal opportunity to discuss your symptoms, concerns and reasons for treatment. Based on this information, Dr Teston will determine the most suitable approach to surgery and which techniques will be most beneficial for your situation. She will also assess your body proportions to customise the procedure and create results that harmonise with your unique figure. The consultation is also an ideal time to raise any concerns or questions you may have about treatment. Dr Teston will walk you through each step of the process so you can feel informed, comfortable and relaxed at every stage of the journey.

What Techniques Can Be Used To Perform A Breast Reduction?

While there are various methods used to complete this procedure, Dr Teston generally opts for the short vertical scar technique, which provides adequate access to the breast tissue while minimising visible scarring. This approach involves an incision around the areola and another that extends down the lower half of the breast. This opening is met with a short horizontal incision along the breast crease. This technique is slightly less invasive than the traditional ‘anchor’ scar, which includes a much longer incision along the breast crease.

In addition to decreasing breast size, breast reduction surgery may also involve adjusting the nipples and areolae to produce a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing result. If your nipples point downward instead of outward, Dr Teston may move them higher on the breast to create the appropriate proportion. The areolae will also be addressed and reduced to match the new breast contour. Striving always for comprehensive and holistic results, Dr Teston will address each of your concerns methodically and diligently to ensure a satisfying final result.

What Happens During Breast Reduction Surgery?

Dr Teston performs breast reduction surgery under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital. During the procedure, Dr Teston will remove loose skin and tissue from both breasts to create a more balanced, aesthetically pleasing shape that is proportional to your body frame. She will take every measure to ensure symmetry and consistency between the two breasts. The incisions will be carefully closed with tiny sutures to support the new contour and minimise visible scarring.

This treatment usually takes three hours to perform. Depending on the extent of surgery completed, you may need to remain in hospital for one or two days. Drains are usually placed in the incisions immediately following the procedure to prevent fluid build-up and infection in the surgical site. You will also have bandages over the breasts, which will be replaced by a supporting bra the day after your procedure.  You will be able to shower daily throughout the recovery process.

What To Expect After A Breast Reduction

Immediately after the surgery, you may experience some soreness, discomfort and swelling in the treated area. Dr Teston will give you detailed aftercare instructions to manage these symptoms and ensure a smooth, straightforward recovery period. Most patients can resume regular activity within one or two weeks of breast reduction surgery. However, heavy lifting, strenuous tasks and exercise should be avoided for at least one month to ensure the breasts have time to adapt to their new shape and position and heal fully. Once the swelling subsides, the full results of your procedure will become evident.

What Results Can I Expect from My Breast Reduction?

The goal of breast reduction surgery is to create a natural, beautiful body profile that improves your comfort and boosts your confidence. The result will be a slimmer, more defined breast contour that expands your clothing options and allows you to participate in physical activities that were previously restricted due to your breast size. Most patients can increase the longevity of their results by wearing well-fitted bras, adopting a balanced and nutritional diet, and stabilising a healthy weight range, as any fluctuations in weight may alter the shape and size of your breasts. Ultimately, the results of your procedure should be long-lasting, offering both aesthetic enhancements and physical relief from pain, discomfort, skin irritation and other symptoms associated with large breasts.

Will Health Insurance Cover Breast Reduction Surgery?

A common query raised by breast reduction patients is whether the cost of the surgery is covered by health insurance. The first step to determining whether you are eligible is to review your healthcare policy and ask your provider whether your level of health insurance will cover breast reduction. Most insurance companies will require documentation of your symptoms, such as back and neck pain.

If the size of your breasts has given rise to legitimate health concerns, you may wish to obtain insurance coverage from your healthcare provider. In this case, it is crucial that you consult your insurance company before your consultation to determine whether this is an option for you, as you may have a 12 month waiting period.

Schedule A Consultation with Dr Leana Teston

Dr Teston is a highly regarded surgeon with extensive experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery. She has worked with women all over Sydney and beyond to help them reduce pain and discomfort associated with large breasts and restore a more comfortable and balanced body profile. At her clinic in Bankstown and Caringbah NSW, she welcomes patients of all ages and stages of life to rediscover their most confident and carefree self through breast reduction surgery. With privileges at many accredited hospitals and medical facilities, Dr Teston combines highly advanced surgical techniques with individualised treatment to create physically and emotionally satisfying results for her patients.

To address all of your concerns, Dr Teston can design a treatment plan tailored specifically to your aesthetic goals and health needs. With a strong focus on patient care and service, she draws on decades of experience to create personalised and truly transformative results. If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of breast reduction surgery, call Dr Teston’s clinic on 02 9708 3511 to schedule your consultation today.

*The information about Breast Reduction was reviewed by Dr. Leana Teston. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.

Procedures Offered


With more than two decades of experience in plastic surgery, Dr Teston is qualified to provide a broad range of plastic surgery procedures. Some of the choices available to her patients include:

Breast Enhancement

No matter what cosmetic goals you might have for your breasts, Dr Teston can help you achieve them. One of her specialties is correcting asymmetries between the breasts that cause a woman to feel self-conscious about her body. Other breast procedures offered by Dr Teston include:

Facial Improvements

Whether you are concerned about the effects of ageing or looking to correct an imperfection that has been nagging you throughout your adult life, Dr Teston offers procedures to enhance and refresh your appearance. She can customise any of the following to your specifications and facial proportions:

  • Facelift to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
  • Eyelid surgery to correct drooping and rejuvenate the area around the eyes
  • Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping to create symmetry, remove imperfections, or restore the nose after injury
  • Otoplasty (or ear surgery) to correct ears that stick out or are disproportionately large
Body Contouring

Body contouring is an effective way to put the final touches on your body shape when you can’t get there with diet and exercise alone. Body contouring is usually recommended for patients that have achieved a healthy, stable weight and may include the following:

  • Abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) to tighten and flatten the midsection
  • Lift procedures to shape and firm the upper arms and thighs
  • Liposuction to remove isolated, stubborn areas of fat from nearly anywhere on the body
  • Labiaplasty to correct discomfort due to either developmental or hormonal enlargements or scarring
Skin Treatments

As the largest organ of the body, the skin deserves special attention. When you want to get rid of unsightly moles, fatty lumps, or other concerns, Dr Teston is prepared to eliminate the blemish and leave the best cosmetic results behind. Some of the concerns Dr Teston can treat include:

Hand Restoration

Your hands are one of the most functional and visible parts of the body, and when they are injured or affected by a debilitating condition, the effects on your life can be dramatic. Dr Teston offers hand surgery to treat many of these concerns, with the following being some of the hand conditions she treats:

When you are in search of a plastic surgeon in Sydney, Dr Teston offers a valuable female perspective, extensive training and experience, and a commitment to the highest level of patient care. To learn more about our practice, contact our office today at (02) 9708 3511.