The breast reduction was designed fifty or so years ago to decrease the burden of large breasts. In that regard, it was a revolutionary development. Unfortunately, breast shape and overall aesthetics took a back seat. The result was a much smaller breast but generally not aesthetically pleasing, with a wide base, a flat upper breast, and a disproportionate amount of tissue under the breast.
However, Dr. Gandolfi has designed a method of reducing the breast that not only removes excess breast tissue but also creates a youthful, sporty, and proportionate breast. This is a custom surgery, tailored to fit your body and make you feel good about yourself. Dr. Gandolfi has named this approach after the avenue that his office shares with the most iconic names in the fashion industry. In his boutique office, he also creates a unique experience, tailored to you in a highly supportive environment. This is why his small office is known in the film and music industries. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Gandolfi today and learn how to achieve your goals for a more balanced, proportionate silhouette, transforming your vision into reality.
Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammaplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to reduce the weight and volume of large breasts while reshaping the breast tissue for an improved contour. Using advanced surgical techniques, Dr. Gandolfi removes excess skin and fat, repositions the nipple, and sculpts the breasts to achieve a more proportionate size and natural breast shape.
The result is a more youthful, lifted appearance that not only relieves neck pain, skin irritation, and poor posture but also restores confidence in your body image. For many women, the results of breast reduction surgery offer a life-changing combination of functional relief and aesthetic refinement.
Dr. Gandolfi only takes on a small number of clients. The 5th Avenue Breast Reduction is more complex and thus more time-intensive than a standard breast reduction, so he cannot accept all insurances. He does, however, accept Blue Cross (in network) and most commercial plans with out-of-network benefits.
If you have questions about your coverage, you can call or email his office, and the team will look up your benefits free of charge. Additionally, Dr. Gandolfi’s office accepts credit card payments and collaborates with lenders to help clients secure the necessary funding to achieve their goals.
While the process can look a little different from patient to patient, breast reduction usually follows a certain set of steps leading up to surgery.
Before your surgery, you will have an initial phone call with one of our team members to discuss your medical history and goals and to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gandolfi. During your in-person appointment, Dr. Gandolfi will perform a physical examination, review any images, and talk with you about your specific goals. He will also take the next half an hour to explain the procedure in greater detail and answer any of your questions.
The length of the surgical procedure can depend on several factors, including the amount of excess breast tissue and skin that Dr. Gandolfi needs to remove. As a rule of thumb, you can anticipate that your breast reduction procedure will take between three and four hours. Note that you will be under full anesthesia for the surgery, ensuring your comfort throughout.
Surgery will begin with your arrival at our NYC surgery center, where our surgical team will be waiting. They will guide you to your operating suite and help place you under anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
Dr. Gandolfi will begin your breast reduction surgery by making small incisions on or near your breasts. Through the incision, Dr. Gandolfi will remove extra fat, skin, and glandular tissue. He may use a few methods to extract these extra tissues, including liposuction, Vertical (Lollipop), or Inverted T (Anchor) techniques.
His goal is always to minimize visible scarring, ensuring you feel satisfied with your final aesthetic outcome.
Actual Patient of Dr. Gandolfi Who Received a Breast Reduction, Breast Lift, and Liposuction.
Breast reduction surgery is designed to correct the physical strain associated with large breasts while simultaneously enhancing aesthetics.
Disproportionate breast size can affect your posture, limit your mobility, and contribute to chronic discomfort that impacts your daily life. Some of the most common reasons women seek breast reduction include:
By removing excess breast tissue and skin, reshaping the breast volume, and refining the overall breast shape, Dr. Gandolfi’s 5th Avenue Breast Reduction helps patients find relief from pain while sculpting lighter, lifted, and more balanced contours.
A thoughtfully planned breast reduction can ease the burden of daily discomfort as well as improve your confidence and body image. By reducing breast size and sculpting the breasts for a lifted, proportional contour, patients often report immediate relief from upper-back tension, improved posture, and the freedom to enjoy physical activity without the weight of very large breasts.
Beyond improving comfort, the procedure refines the silhouette, improves clothing options, and enhances symmetry, all while maintaining a soft, natural feel. For many women, the results are life-changing: less irritation under skin folds, lighter shoulders without bra straps digging in, and a renewed ease in how you move through the day.
When your breasts are disproportionately large for your body, it can lead to a host of complications. One of the most significant of these complications is physical discomfort. If you have oversized breasts, it is not uncommon to experience chronic neck strain and headaches.
Other physical symptoms of oversized breasts include “bra strapping,” where the bra straps create permanent indentations in the shoulders. This may also cause you to experience regular rashes and skin problems. Having large breasts can make it difficult to find clothing that fits properly, and in addition to being inconvenient, oversized breasts can also be awkward and embarrassing.
With breast reduction surgery, Dr. Gandolfi can help bring your natural curves into greater harmony with the rest of your body.
Following any type of plastic surgery, you can anticipate a need for rest and recuperation. We encourage you to take a week or two to rest and heal after your breast reduction. During this time, it is important to have someone who can help you around the house or keep an eye on your children.
Our team will advise you to wear a compression garment for a few weeks after your procedure. Be sure to wear the garment as advised, as it can minimize swelling and lead to more aesthetically pleasing results. Some soreness is to be expected, but most patients find it very easy to manage discomfort with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Before you are discharged, you will receive guidelines concerning diet, bathing, caring for your incisions, and any follow-up appointments. By carefully following these recommendations, you can minimize the visibility of your scarring and promote optimal results.
Dr. Brad Gandolfi is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with offices in New York City and Englewood, NJ. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and is a member of The Aesthetic Society, a by-invitation-only society for doctors with experience and excellence in cosmetic surgery. He obtained his plastic surgery degree at Duke University Medical Center and spent additional training in facial surgery at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Gandolfi is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Most patients notice a lighter feel and a more balanced outline right away, with swelling steadily improving over several weeks. A surgical bra supports healing and helps shape the new contour; we’ll guide you on activity limits and follow-up care so you can return to routine life safely. Final incision lines soften and fade with time, and your refined breast shape continues to settle as tissues heal.
Beyond physical relief, many women describe feeling instantly lighter and more at ease in their bodies. Clothing fits better, movement feels freer, and everyday activities—whether exercising, traveling, or simply getting dressed—become more enjoyable. Most importantly, breast reduction often restores a sense of confidence and comfort that radiates through every aspect of life.
Enlarged breasts can compromise your physical health as well as your self-image. Breast reduction surgery may provide relief. Breast reduction surgery offers a highly effective solution for women seeking relief from these physical and emotional burdens. This surgical procedure aims to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, resulting in breasts that are more proportionate to the body and significantly lighter. The benefits extend beyond improved aesthetics, providing substantial relief from pain and discomfort, enhancing the ability to engage in physical activities, and boosting self-esteem and body confidence.
Dr. Gandolfi is a distinguished, double board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and a proven track record in performing breast reduction procedures. His expertise ensures that each patient receives personalized care, achieving results that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally beneficial, leading to a significant improvement in their quality of life. To speak with a member of our team, contact our office at (212) 287-7211.
In addition to risks associated with anesthesia, there is also the possibility of bleeding and/or nerve damage. Specific to this surgery, there is a very low but present risk of breast skin, tissue, or nipple loss, which is directly related to the size of the reduction and the patient's overall health. The best way to minimize surgical risk is to seek a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reduction.
We would recommend taking off at least one to two weeks from work. After 10 to 14 days, most patients feel ready to resume normal activities. Strenuous exercise, including heavy lifting, should be postponed for four to six weeks.
While breast reduction surgery does come with scarring, Dr. Gandolfi carefully places incisions to ensure the scars are well-concealed. Before your surgery, Dr. Gandolfi will provide a full explanation of where your scars will be and how he will work to minimize their visibility. Also, note that careful adherence to post-op guidelines can help you minimize the appearance of your scars.
Yes*! Well, maybe. For insurance to cover your procedure with Dr. Gandolfi, you must have a commercial insurance policy. Dr. Gandolfi is in-network with many Blue Cross plans and is out-of-network with all other commercial plans. In both instances, you must meet very specific criteria to be eligible for an insurance breast reduction.
For a medical breast reduction, you must have chronic medical issues related to your breasts. Most insurance companies require you to have documentation that you have discussed these problems with another healthcare provider. Commonly accepted issues related to enlarged breasts that may make you eligible for an insurance reduction include:
In addition to the above requirements, some insurance plans (like Horizon) require two additional letters from other physicians to support your case. All require measurements, pictures, and estimated removal amounts to be submitted by the office. Our office is here to help you navigate the insurance and financing processes.
While this is ultimately a question you must answer for yourself, it is worth noting that the women who do have breast reduction surgery overwhelmingly tell us that they are happy about their results.
