Considering Breast Reduction in The Woodlands, TX? Read Our FAQs (Updated 2025)

Of all plastic surgery patients, women who get breast reduction surgery may be the most thrilled with their results. It’s probably because many—if not most—understand the outcome significantly relieves pain related to living with overly large breasts. As a board-certified plastic surgeon in The Woodlands, TX, I know that it’s truly gratifying to hear the relief in the voices of my patients.

This is one of the reasons that breast reduction surgery is increasingly popular locally and throughout the US. Statistics from The Aesthetic Society, one of the leading organizations of board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S., show a 40% increase in breast reduction procedures between 2015 and 2019. Patients considering breast reduction surgery range from teenagers to women in their 40s and 50s.

Even though the age range is wide, the questions asked by patients during consultations and on websites such as RealSelf are quite similar. In this blog post, I’ll answer some of the most common questions posed by women from The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and surrounding areas.

Will insurance cover surgery?

This is, understandably, the most common question asked by women considering breast reduction. The answer is often yes, but it’s important that patients discuss their physical symptoms with a primary care physician and get any diagnosed ailments documented before scheduling surgery. If a procedure is deemed medically necessary, a patient’s health insurance typically will cover all or part of the costs.

How long does it take to recover?

Recovery times vary from patient to patient, and the answer to this question also depends on if you’re talking about returning to a desk job or participating in physically strenuous activities. In my experience, most breast reduction patients can return to non-physical work and stop using pain medication by 2 weeks. Recovery continues gradually after that, with unrestricted activity being okay by 6 weeks.

It’s important to note that recovery from breast reduction surgery in The Woodlands requires special attention to the local climate, especially if your procedure takes place during the warm spring and summer months. Our area’s heat and humidity influences healing and recovery by heightening the risk of infection and potentially delaying the healing process. Excessive heat exposure can also exacerbate swelling, hindering your recovery.

To counteract these challenges, I offer my patients these tips for a smoother recovery:

• Keep cool indoors: Avoid sun exposure by limiting outdoor activities, especially during peak heat hours (3 to 5 pm).
• Protect your incisions: Keep healing skin clean and dry to prevent complications.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to reduce swelling and aid healing.
• Follow aftercare instructions: Carefully adhere to your post-operative care and restrictions to ensure optimal recovery and results.

If your procedure is scheduled during the cooler fall or winter months, you can embrace hunkering down indoors within the comforts of home. Regardless of when your procedure takes place, recognize that healing takes patience—but your stunning results will be well worth the wait!

I want breast reduction, but I don’t want my breasts to be too small.

This is an issue I discuss thoroughly with patients during their consultations. Together, we’ll come up with a plan based on your desired goals with the understanding that the ultimate size of the breasts will depend on a patient’s overall size and the amount of existing breast tissue, among other factors. A decrease of 1 or 2 cup sizes is a pretty standard outcome and preference for my patients in The Woodlands area.

Will I have scars on my breasts?

Any time a surgeon makes an incision, there will be a scar. That’s true of breast reduction surgery. But the good news is that there are products that help minimize the appearance of scars and that, for many patients, scars fade over time.

Do I need a breast lift, too?

At our practice, breast reduction surgery is a two-for-one procedure: a breast lift is part of the surgery. To get the best cosmetic results, surgeons not only remove breast tissue, but they also reshape and elevate the breasts so they look more youthful.

Am I too young for breast reduction?

Many teenagers seek breast reduction surgery for various reasons. They may experience physical discomfort, avoid competitive sports, or feel self-conscious because of the attention they attract. All 3 of these reasons may be true for some. Even though teens as young as 14 or 15 can get breast reduction surgery, I recommend waiting until the breasts are fully mature to avoid having to undergo a second operation in the near future. The exception is if a teenager’s symptoms are severe or incapacitating.

What’s next?

Breast reduction surgery at The Gill Center can help improve a patient’s quality of life regardless of age. You can see the types of results that are possible by browsing my gallery of before-and-after photos featuring some of my actual patients. If you have additional questions about your procedure or recovery in The Woodlands area, contact us by requesting a consultation using the online form or call us at (281) 853-5308 to schedule an appointment.

This blog post was originally published in June 2020 and last updated in January 2025.