Physical discomfort
May help improve neck, back or shoulder discomfort associated with excessive breast weight.
Reduction Mammoplasty · New York City
Breast Reduction in NYC
Reduce excess breast size and weight, reshape and lift the breasts, and create a lighter, more proportionate result with Dr. Sergei Kalsow, MD.
- Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
- Madison Avenue, NYC
- 5,000+ surgeries performed
- Out-of-network benefits reviewed
Insurance coverage depends on your individual plan, medical necessity, authorization requirements and insurer determination.
Dr. Sergei Kalsow, MDNew York City
Comfort and proportion
The goal is not only a smaller breast, but a lighter and more balanced shape.
Lift is part of the plan
Reduction usually includes reshaping and elevating the remaining breast tissue.
Insurance pathway
Applicable out-of-network benefits may be reviewed when medical necessity is involved.
Surgeon-led care
Consultation, surgical planning and follow-up remain directly connected to Dr. Kalsow.
Start with the procedure
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that reduces the size and weight of the breasts by removing excess skin, fat and glandular tissue.
The remaining breast tissue is then reshaped and elevated to create a smaller, lighter and more proportionate breast contour.
For many patients, the goal is both functional and aesthetic: improve physical comfort while creating a breast size and shape that better fits the body.
What patients are trying to solve
What Can Breast Reduction Help With?
Disproportionately large or heavy breasts can affect comfort, physical activity, clothing fit and body proportion.
Exercise and daily activity
A lighter breast size may make movement, exercise and certain activities more comfortable.
Shape and proportion
The remaining breast tissue is reshaped and lifted to create a size that better matches the patient's frame.
Bra-strap grooving
Heavy breasts can contribute to persistent pressure from bra straps.
Skin irritation
Some patients experience irritation or rashes beneath the breasts.
Clothing fit
Reducing breast volume can make it easier to dress in proportion to the rest of the body.
Real patient outcomes
Breast Reduction Results
Breast reduction is not only about becoming smaller. Look at breast position, shape, symmetry and how the result relates to the patient's overall frame.
Individual results vary. Images show individual patient outcomes and do not guarantee a specific result.
The how
How Breast Reduction Works
Every reduction is planned around breast size, symptoms, skin quality, nipple position, symmetry, body proportions and the patient's goals.
Consultation and planning
Dr. Kalsow reviews symptoms, medical history, breast anatomy, goals and realistic size options.
Reduce excess tissue
Excess skin, fat and glandular tissue are removed according to the surgical plan.
Reshape and lift
The remaining tissue is reshaped and elevated to create a smaller and more balanced contour.
Reposition when appropriate
Nipple and areola position may be adjusted as part of the reshaping process.
Recovery and follow-up
Postoperative instructions are individualized based on the operation and the patient's healing.
Insurance
Could Out-of-Network Insurance Benefits Apply?
Breast reduction may qualify for insurance benefits when it meets the medical-necessity requirements of the patient's health plan. If you have PPO or other applicable out-of-network benefits, Dr. Kalsow's team can review the available benefit information with you.
Verification of benefits or prior authorization does not guarantee payment. Coverage and patient responsibility depend on the individual policy and insurer determination.
- Step 01
Send your plan information
You do not need to know whether you have out-of-network benefits before contacting the office.
- Step 02
Benefits are reviewed
The team reviews available out-of-network benefits, deductibles, coinsurance and authorization requirements.
- Step 03
Meet Dr. Kalsow
Your symptoms, anatomy, history and surgical goals are evaluated personally.
- Step 04
Documentation and next steps
When applicable, the office assists with clinical information requested by the insurer.
More than tissue removal
Dr. Kalsow's Approach to Breast Reduction
A breast reduction is not simply an exercise in removing the maximum amount of tissue. The operation changes breast size, shape, lift, nipple position, symmetry and the relationship between the breasts and the rest of the body.
Dr. Kalsow's planning balances the functional goal of reducing excess breast weight with the aesthetic goal of creating a breast contour that feels appropriate for the patient's anatomy.
5,000+
Surgeries performed
Shape
Reduction and reshaping are planned together
NYC
Private practice at 635 Madison Avenue
1 plan
Functional concerns and aesthetic goals are evaluated together
Candidacy
Is Breast Reduction Right for You?
You may be a candidate for breast reduction if your breasts feel disproportionately large for your body, contribute to physical discomfort, interfere with exercise or make clothing fit difficult.
The question is not only “How much smaller?” It is also “What size and shape make sense for your body?”
Final candidacy and the appropriate surgical plan are determined after medical evaluation.
- You want a smaller, lighter breast size.
- You experience symptoms related to breast weight or size.
- You want breast reshaping and lift as part of the reduction.
- You are in appropriate overall health for surgery.
- You understand that scars are part of breast reduction surgery.
- You have realistic expectations about size, shape and healing.
Set expectations clearly
Recovery After Breast Reduction
Recovery varies by patient and surgical plan. Swelling, bruising, incision care and activity restrictions are normal parts of the early healing period.
Support garment
A supportive postoperative bra or garment may be recommended during early healing.
Swelling
Breast shape changes as swelling decreases and the tissues settle over time.
Activity
Walking is generally encouraged while strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are restricted until cleared.
Scars
Incisions are an expected part of breast reduction and mature gradually with time.
An additional option for selected patients
Awake Breast Reduction
Dr. Kalsow also offers an awake, local-anesthesia-based breast reduction approach for appropriately selected patients.
The anesthesia plan is individualized according to the patient, the extent of the procedure, medical considerations and comfort. An awake option is not automatically appropriate for every breast reduction.
Insurance eligibility for medically necessary breast reduction is evaluated separately from the anesthesia technique. The appropriate anesthesia plan should follow the patient and the operation, not a marketing label.
New York and beyond
Traveling to NYC for Breast Reduction
Patients traveling to New York need a clear plan for consultation, preoperative requirements, local accommodation, postoperative visits and safe timing for travel home.
- Virtual consultation when appropriate.
- Pre-arrival medical and scheduling instructions.
- Guidance on how long to remain in New York.
- Postoperative follow-up before returning home.
The surgeon behind the procedure
Meet Dr. Sergei Kalsow, MD
A board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City whose practice includes breast surgery, body contouring and cosmetic procedures performed with individualized surgical and anesthesia planning.
Dr. Kalsow has performed more than 5,000 surgeries. For breast reduction patients, that experience is applied to both sides of the operation: reducing excess breast weight and creating a breast shape that remains proportionate to the patient's body.
What breast reduction patients can expect
- Board-certifiedPlastic and reconstructive surgery in New York City.
- 5,000+ surgeriesBroad operative experience across cosmetic procedures.
- Breast surgery focusReduction, lift, augmentation and individualized breast planning.
- Direct involvementConsultation, surgical planning and postoperative care.
Questions
What patients ask us.
What is breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, removes excess fat, skin and glandular tissue to reduce breast size and weight, then reshapes the remaining tissue.
Does breast reduction also lift the breasts?
Yes. Breast reduction generally includes reshaping and elevating the remaining breast tissue, which can create a more lifted breast position.
Can breast reduction help with back, neck or shoulder discomfort?
It may help improve discomfort associated with disproportionately large or heavy breasts. Outcomes vary by patient and the source of the symptoms.
Can insurance cover breast reduction?
It may. Coverage depends on the medical-necessity criteria and terms of the patient's specific health plan.
How do I know whether I have out-of-network benefits?
The office can review your insurance information and help determine whether applicable out-of-network benefits appear to be available.
Does checking my benefits mean surgery is approved?
No. Benefit verification does not guarantee authorization, medical-necessity determination or final claim payment.
Can breast reduction be performed awake?
For selected patients, an awake, local-anesthesia-based approach may be considered. The appropriate anesthesia plan depends on the patient and surgical plan.
How long does breast reduction recovery take?
Recovery varies. Your activity, garment use, incision care and follow-up schedule are individualized based on the operation and healing.
Will I have scars after breast reduction?
Yes. Breast reduction requires incisions, and scars are an expected part of the operation. Their location and extent depend on the surgical technique and anatomy.
The next step
Find Out What Breast Reduction Could Change for You
Request a consultation with Dr. Sergei Kalsow in New York City. If insurance coverage is part of your decision, the office can also review available out-of-network benefit information.
Prefer to speak to someone? (212) 653-8726
635 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor · New York, NY 10022