Breast Reduction in Toronto: What a Breast Lift with Reduction Involves

If your breasts have felt heavy for years — bra straps digging into your shoulders, upper back or neck aching by the end of the day, or clothing that never quite fits — you may already be wondering whether breast reduction is the right next step. At Power Plastic Surgery, that operation is called a breast lift with reduction: it removes breast tissue and redundant skin, and repositions the nipple-areolar complex higher on the chest. That repositioning is the lift.

This guide covers who is a candidate, how the surgery is done, recovery, cost in Toronto, and why breast lift with reduction is arranged privately at Dr. Power's clinic. Photographs, the recovery timeline, and the starting fee are on the breast lift with reduction procedure page.

“My patients often tell me they feel more comfortable, notice improved posture and feel more confident after breast reduction. Finding bras and clothing that fit is easier, too.”

– Dr. Stephanie Power

Why Women Seek Breast Reduction

For some women, the breasts have been large since development. For others they enlarged and descended after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight gain. Either way, common reasons to consider surgery include:

• Neck, upper back, or shoulder discomfort related to breast weight
• Difficulty with posture, or feeling self-conscious about standing tall
• Grooving in the shoulders from bra straps
• Skin irritation where skin rests against skin below the breasts, in more severe cases
• Wanting breasts that feel more proportionate to the rest of the body

Reducing breast weight and lifting the breast can improve those concerns. Individual results vary.

Is It Covered by OHIP?

This is one of the most common questions Toronto patients ask.

Breast lift with reduction is not OHIP-covered at Power Plastic Surgery. Dr. Power performs this surgery privately only. After your consultation you receive a personalized written quote, valid for six months.

If cost is part of your decision, monthly payment plans through Beautifi are available for procedures of $1,000 and above. The cost section below matches the terms on our pricing page.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for breast lift with reduction if:

• You are generally 18 or older, so breast development is complete
• Your weight is reasonably stable, and BMI is under 30 in most cases. BMI is not a strict cut-off. Dr. Power weighs these points together at consultation
• You don't smoke, or you can stop smoking for at least one month before and one month after surgery. That interval is essential for healing, and it lowers the risk of healing complications
• Your goals are realistic: lighter, higher, more proportionate breasts, not a guaranteed cup size

Surgery may be performed before or after pregnancies. Results may not be stable if it is done before childbearing and breastfeeding, because pregnancy and nursing can change the breasts again. Dr. Power will talk through timing with you.

How Breast Lift with Reduction Is Done

The goal is to reduce breast volume, tighten the skin envelope, and lift the nipple-areolar complex to a higher position on the chest.

Incisions. An anchor scar or a vertical scar is generally required, depending on the degree of lift required. A periareolar incision alone is not enough for a lift with reduction, so that smaller pattern is not used for this operation.

Anesthetic and timing. Breast lift with reduction is day surgery under general anesthetic. It takes 2 to 3 hours in most cases, and you go home the same day. You need a ride home and someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after general anesthetic.

Drains. Drains are generally not used.

Liposuction. Liposuction alone is generally not used when there is ptosis, a descended breast, because it would not correct the droop. Liposuction of the lateral chest (the sides of the chest) may be added when that area concerns you and the examination suggests it will help. When it is performed, it is priced separately on your written quote.

How much tissue is removed. The amount is individualized from your examination, anatomy, and goals. Cup size is not an exact measurement. There is no typical amount of tissue removed and no guaranteed cup size.

Tissue removed during surgery is always sent for pathology review, with no additional fee. Routine mammogram screening afterward is the same as for women with no history of breast surgery.

Recovery After Breast Lift with Reduction

You'll receive detailed written post-op instructions. A typical timeline looks like this:

• Day of surgery: Day surgery under general anesthetic, generally 2 to 3 hours. Home the same day with a ride and someone to stay with you for 24 hours. Drains are generally not used. Dressings may include gauze and a surgical bra or an ACE wrap. Soreness is treated with prescription pain medication.
• Day after surgery: You may shower daily, starting the day after surgery.
• First follow-up: Usually about one week after surgery.
• Driving: Once you are off prescription pain medication and can maneuver the vehicle safely.
• Within about a week: Most patients return to office work or school when ready.
• About 3 weeks: Most bruising and swelling have subsided.
• About 1 month: Light gym exercises are appropriate after one month, and cardio may begin at 4 weeks.
• 6 weeks: Full activity as tolerated, including upper-body workouts. A surgical bra is provided and worn for 6 weeks. It can help the tissues adhere to their new position. After 6 weeks, you may wear other styles of bras, including underwire if desired. You may sleep on your side after 6 weeks.

Risks to Discuss

Every surgery has risks, and Dr. Power will review them with you in detail before you decide. For breast lift with reduction they include:

• Altered nipple sensation
• A potential effect on the ability to breastfeed
• Scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, and delayed healing

Stopping smoking for at least one month before and one month after surgery is essential and lowers the risk of healing complications. A thorough consent process is part of every surgery at Power Plastic Surgery.

Breast Reduction Cost in Toronto

Starting fees, as listed on Dr. Power's pricing page and breast lift with reduction page:

• Breast lift with reduction: from $10,140 (+ HST)

This is a starting fee, not a final quote. HST is added on your quote. Your personalized written quote lists the surgeon fee, anesthesia fee, operating room and nursing fees, compression garments and surgical supplies as applicable, an overnight stay if applicable, and HST. Lateral chest liposuction, when added, is priced separately on the quote. The quote is valid for six months. A non-refundable 25% deposit secures your surgery date, and the balance is due three weeks before surgery.

Monthly payment plans are available through Beautifi for procedures of $1,000 and above. Applying takes about three minutes, does not affect your credit score, requires no money down, and gives an instant decision.

Note for booking: Breast lift with reduction is not one of the choices on the online consultation form. Please write "breast lift with reduction" (or breast reduction) in your message so the office can prepare for the procedure you have in mind.

Combining With a Tummy Tuck (Mommy Makeover)

Breast lift with reduction is commonly combined with a tummy tuck in one surgery, often called a mommy makeover. An overnight stay is required for tummy tucks and mommy makeovers. Breast lift with reduction by itself remains day surgery.

Mommy makeover starting fees are listed separately on the pricing page, from $21,500. Your exact combined plan is quoted after consultation.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Power

Dr. Stephanie Power is a female plastic surgeon certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC), with fellowship training in Aesthetic Surgery and in Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She practises in Yorkville with an all-female team.

At your consultation she will examine you, talk through a plan that fits your anatomy and goals, and explain scars, recovery, risks, and cost. Patients travelling from elsewhere in Canada can ask about the fly-in program.

Breast Reduction FAQs

What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast lift with reduction?

A breast lift (mastopexy) raises and reshapes the breast by tightening skin and repositioning the nipple-areolar complex. A breast lift with reduction also removes breast tissue to reduce size and weight, while producing a lift. Dr. Power will tell you which fits your goals.

Is breast reduction covered by OHIP at Power Plastic Surgery?

No. Breast lift with reduction is not OHIP-covered at Power Plastic Surgery. Dr. Power performs this surgery privately only.

Will I get a specific cup size?

No cup size is guaranteed. Cup sizing varies by brand, and the amount of tissue removed is individualized from your examination and goals.

What scars should I expect?

An anchor or vertical scar pattern is generally required, depending on the degree of lift required. A periareolar-only incision is not enough for this operation. Dr. Power will review which pattern fits your examination at consultation.

Are drains used?

Drains are generally not used.

How long until I can go back to work and exercise?

Most patients return to office work or school within about a week. Light gym exercises are appropriate after one month, and cardio may begin at 4 weeks. Full activity, including upper-body workouts, is appropriate at about six weeks, once Dr. Power confirms you are healing well. The first follow-up is usually about one week after surgery.

Can I breastfeed after breast reduction?

There is a potential effect on the ability to breastfeed. Dr. Power discusses this with you before surgery so you can weigh it against your goals and timing.

Can breast reduction be combined with a tummy tuck?

Yes. Breast lift with reduction is commonly combined with a tummy tuck in one surgery, a combination often called a mommy makeover. An overnight stay is required for tummy tucks and mommy makeovers. Alone, breast lift with reduction is day surgery.

How much does breast reduction cost in Toronto with Dr. Power?

Breast lift with reduction starts from $10,140, plus HST. You receive a personalized quote after consultation, valid for six months. Lateral chest liposuction, when added, is priced separately. Monthly payment plans are available through Beautifi for procedures of $1,000 and above.

Request a Consultation

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual results vary. Please book a consultation for an assessment of your specific concerns, or learn more on the breast lift with reduction procedure page.

416-962-1010 · Monday–Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm
7 St. Thomas Street, Suite 602, Toronto, ON M5S 2B7