Medically reviewed by Dr. Laura Roider & Dr. Nick Slenkovich
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Patient Stories
Natalie shared her breast reduction experience on video, including what led her to the consultation, what the recovery looked like, and how she felt about the result. For many of our patients, breast reduction is a transformative journey, one of the most empowering decisions they make for themselves: relief from years of physical symptoms and a breast shape that fits the rest of their body.
Are You a Candidate for Breast Reduction?
Candidates for breast reduction are usually patients whose breast size is causing physical symptoms (neck, back, or shoulder pain; bra-strap grooves; rash; difficulty exercising), or whose breast size and shape do not fit the rest of their body. Many women choose to have a breast reduction in Denver because they feel uncomfortable with the size of their large breasts or have experienced significant sagging as a result of their breast size.
Our Approach to Breast Reduction
Breast reduction is one of the procedures where preparation, execution, and recovery all carry equal weight. We treat each step as a collaboration between you and us, from the first consultation through the final follow-up.
A few principles shape how we practice:
- The consultation is where the surgical plan truly comes together. By the time you are in the operating room, the important decisions have already been made: the incision pattern, how much tissue to remove, nipple and areola positioning, and the overall size and shape we are working toward. Those decisions are made collaboratively, with your goals guiding the process.
- We plan for both relief and proportion. A successful breast reduction should ease the physical discomfort caused by overly heavy breasts while creating a shape that feels balanced with your frame. During the consultation, we talk through your symptoms, anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals to determine the right surgical approach for you.
- We are also honest about scarring. All breast reduction surgery results in scars, and understanding that trade-off is an important part of the decision-making process. For many patients, the improvement in comfort, mobility, and breast shape far outweighs the visibility of the scars, but you should go into surgery with a realistic understanding of what healing and long-term scar maturation involve.
How the Breast Reduction Procedure Works
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia in our private, QUAD A-accredited and state-licensed surgery center adjacent to the clinic. The procedure typically takes two to three hours.
For most breast reductions, we use an anchor-pattern incision, the most commonly used technique in modern breast reduction surgery, which runs around the areola, vertically down the center of the breast, and along the fold under the breast. Through these incisions, we remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, reposition the nipple and areola higher on the chest (lift the breast), and reshape the remaining breast tissue. The incisions are then closed in layers and supported with a surgical bra or dressing.
We use the anchor pattern as our default for moderate to large reductions because it gives us access to the breast from multiple angles and produces the most reliable, natural-looking shape. For select patients, a smaller-pattern incision (vertical only, no horizontal fold incision) may be appropriate. The right technique depends on your breast size, the amount of tissue we plan to remove, your skin quality, and how much lift the breast needs in addition to the size reduction. We talk through technique selection at the consultation and walk you through the trade-offs between options.
Partnering in Your Self-Improvement Journey
Meet Your Denver Breast Reduction Surgeons
At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, breast reduction patients work with one of our two plastic surgeons: Dr. Slenkovich or Dr. Roider. Both surgeons share a single standard of care, a consistent approach to consultation and surgical planning, and the same clinical philosophy. Whether you book with Dr. Roider or Dr. Slenkovich, the protocol, operating room, and recovery support are the same.
Dr. Nick Slenkovich, MD
Dr. Slenkovich is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years in practice. He has written and edited medical articles on breast reduction technique and is known for a grounded, conversational consultation style that emphasizes partnership, clarity, and long-term thinking. Many of his breast reduction patients describe him as someone who walks them through the trade-offs honestly and helps them feel prepared rather than persuaded.
Dr. Laura Roider, MD
Dr. Roider is a board-eligible plastic surgeon focused on precision, patient education, and honest expectation-setting. Her breast reduction patients describe her consultations as detailed and direct, with clear explanations of what the surgery can and cannot accomplish for their specific anatomy, goals, and symptom picture. Breast reduction is one of Dr. Roider's favorite procedures because of the impact it has on patients' lives: relief from years of physical symptoms paired with a result that fits the rest of the body.
Breast Reduction FAQs
Will breast reduction leave a visible scar?
Any surgery leaves a scar. With breast reduction, the standard anchor incision pattern produces three scars: one around the areola, a vertical line down the center of the breast, and a horizontal line along the fold under the breast. We have refined our surgical technique, closure technique, and tension management to minimize these scars as much as possible, and every breast reduction patient at our practice receives post-operative scar-management care. The scars fade over the first six to twelve months, but do not disappear entirely. For most patients, the trade-off is one they would make again. We discuss scarring honestly at the consultation, and the before-and-after gallery includes photos of scars at various stages of healing.
Will breast reduction affect my ability to breastfeed?
It can. Breast reduction surgery removes breast tissue and repositions the nipple, both of which can affect milk production and milk ducts. Approximately 60 percent of women who attempt to breastfeed after breast reduction are able to (a figure that is consistently reported across long-term outcomes research on reduction mammaplasty), though outcomes vary with the technique used, the amount of tissue removed, and individual physiology. If breastfeeding is important to you and you plan to have children, this is part of the consultation conversation and may affect the technique and timing we recommend.
Will I lose nipple sensation?
Many patients are surprised to learn that nipple sensation in larger breasts is often already diminished before surgery, because the weight of the breast tissue stretches the nerves over time. After breast reduction, some patients actually notice an improvement in sensation, some experience temporary numbness that resolves over the following six to twelve months, and a small number experience a permanent change.
What size will I be after breast reduction?
There is no fixed answer because the result depends on your starting size, frame, and the amount of tissue we are able to safely remove. Most patients drop one to three cup sizes, but cup size is not something we can guarantee. Bras vary by manufacturer, and a "C" in one brand can be a "D" in another. The goal is a breast size and shape that resolves the physical symptoms and fits your frame, not a specific letter. We talk through your goals and realistic outcomes at the consultation using 3D imaging when helpful.
How long is the recovery from breast reduction?
Recovery follows a predictable pattern. Week one is for rest, with activity significantly limited. By weeks two and three, most patients feel substantially better and can return to desk work or non-physical jobs. Exercise and strenuous activity remain limited through weeks four to six. At weeks four and five, activity gradually increases while you continue to wear a surgical bra. By week six, most patients return to normal activity and exercise. The full recovery, including final scar appearance and final breast shape, plays out over the first six to twelve months.
Should I get a breast reduction or a breast lift?
A breast reduction reduces breast size and reshapes/lifts the breast at the same time. A breast lift (mastopexy) reshapes the breast without significant size change. The two procedures use similar incision patterns. Which one is right for you depends on whether you want a smaller breast or simply a different shape. The consultation is the place to sort this out, and the surgical plan often becomes clear when we look at your goals together.
Does Colorado Plastic Surgery Center accept insurance for breast reduction?
Colorado Plastic Surgery Center does not accept insurance for any procedure, including breast reduction. Working outside of insurance allows us to customize the surgical plan, including the technique, the amount of tissue removed, and the timing, around your individual anatomy and goals, rather than around the criteria an insurance plan specifies. Many patients tell us this customization is one of the most valuable parts of working with our practice. You can see a current cost estimate using our price estimator at /price-estimator/.
