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Breast Reduction
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Dr. Geldner is one of Chicago’s best plastic surgeons, recognized for his expertise in breast reduction surgery and other aesthetic procedures. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Geldner has helped thousands of women find relief from the physical discomfort of overly large breasts while creating beautiful, proportionate results. But as Dr. Geldner says, “it’s not about me, it’s about you and only you.”
“We want to make sure the entire experience, from consultation to surgery to follow-up care, is as seamless as we can possibly make it. Everything is prepared.”
Each year, thousands of women in the Chicago metro area choose breast reduction surgery to alleviate pain and regain their quality of life. Dr. Geldner has two offices you can visit for consultations and follow-ups: one in Oak Brook, and one on Lake Shore Drive. The downtown surgical center is located near his Lake Shore Drive office. His Oak Brook office is in the same building as the Oak Brook Surgical Centre. Both centers are fully accredited by the JCAHO.
Breast reduction, medically known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that helps women with overly large breasts find relief from physical discomfort and lifestyle limitations. This breast reduction procedure focuses on reducing size and weight while creating a more proportionate, comfortable silhouette.
Breast reduction is about you and is for you. It is about creating a look you want and are comfortable with, both physically and emotionally, while addressing the very real medical concerns that come with disproportionately large breasts. At The Geldner Center, Dr. Geldner brings over two decades of experience to breast reduction procedures, using proven surgical techniques to address both medical concerns and aesthetic goals. “Studies show that women with symptoms from excessively large breasts often see improvement in their quality of life after breast reduction,” notes Dr. Geldner. “This procedure addresses real medical issues while creating good cosmetic results.”

Breast reduction works by removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create smaller, lighter, more proportionate breasts that maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape. The procedure has three primary goals: removing excess weight to alleviate physical symptoms, eliminating excess skin for better contour, and reshaping the remaining tissue into a beautiful, lifted appearance—essentially combining breast reduction with a breast lift for optimal results.
The breast reduction procedure typically takes 3-4 hours under general anesthesia, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed and your individual anatomy. Dr. Geldner employs several proven techniques, including the vertical reduction technique for moderate reductions with limited scarring, the anchor technique for larger reductions with excellent shape control, or in rare cases, liposuction alone for very small reductions in properly selected patients.
What makes Dr. Geldner’s approach unique is his attention to preserving nipple sensation and the ability to breastfeed when possible, while maintaining the blood and nerve supply to the nipple-areolar complex. He strategically plans incisions based on your specific anatomy and goals, whether your priorities include minimizing scarring, preserving sensation, or achieving maximum size reduction. The procedure involves carefully removing the predetermined amount of tissue, reshaping the breast mound, and repositioning the nipple to create a natural, youthful appearance.
All removed tissue (except from liposuction) is evaluated by a pathologist to rule out any abnormalities—a standard safety protocol that ensures your health while achieving your aesthetic goals.
“Dr. Geldner is a gifted surgeon who is one of a kind. He spends time discerning just what brings you to him and thoroughly discusses the procedure and expectations. His staff is wonderful and makes you feel relaxed..”
~Patient Review
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Beyond the physical relief, breast reduction offers emotional and lifestyle benefits. Physically, you’ll likely experience relief from chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, elimination of bra strap grooves, improved posture, and the ability to participate in physical activities more comfortably, while also resolving skin irritation under the breasts and achieving better-fitting clothing options. Many patients report feeling more comfortable and confident, which can positively impact their daily activities and overall well-being.

See the subtle yet transformative results our patients have achieved — explore The Geldner Center’s Breast Reduction Before & After Gallery to envision what’s possible for you.
The ideal breast reduction candidate is a woman experiencing physical discomfort or lifestyle limitations due to overly large breasts, including chronic pain, difficulty with physical activities, or challenges finding properly fitting clothing and bras. You might be an excellent candidate if you experience back, neck, or shoulder pain, have grooves from bra straps, deal with skin irritation under your breasts, or simply feel your breast size is disproportionate to your frame and affects your quality of life.
Good candidates are in excellent overall health, maintain a stable weight, are non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about their results. Most patients range from their late teens to their 60s, though emotional maturity and fully developed breasts are more important than specific age. During your comprehensive consultation at The Geldner Center, we’ll evaluate your symptoms, discuss your goals, and determine if breast reduction is the right solution for your unique situation.

Your journey begins with an in-depth consultation where Dr. Geldner evaluates your medical history, examines your breast anatomy, and listens carefully to your concerns about both physical symptoms and aesthetic goals, creating a personalized surgical plan that addresses your specific needs. On the day of surgery, you’ll be welcomed by a caring team in an accredited surgical facility, where Dr. Geldner will perform your procedure with meticulous attention to both symptom relief and beautiful results, ensuring your comfort throughout the process. Immediately after surgery, you’ll recover under careful monitoring with detailed aftercare instructions, and Dr. Geldner will personally oversee your follow-up visits to track your healing progress and celebrate your newfound comfort and confidence.
Most patients experience significant relief from their pre-surgery symptoms almost immediately, despite some expected post-surgical discomfort that is easily managed with prescribed medication. You’ll wear a supportive surgical bra for approximately 6 weeks to aid healing and provide optimal support as your breasts settle into their new size and shape. Most women return to desk work within 1-2 weeks and resume normal daily activities within 2-3 weeks.
While you’ll notice immediate size reduction and symptom relief, your final shape will continue to refine over the next 3-6 months as swelling subsides and tissues settle. Dr. Geldner provides comprehensive recovery guidelines and remains available throughout your healing journey to address any questions or concerns. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 4-6 weeks, but light walking is encouraged from day one to promote circulation and healing.
The recovery process involves some initial swelling and bruising, which typically resolves within the first two weeks. Most patients are amazed by how quickly they can return to activities they had previously avoided due to breast size, often reporting improved sleep quality and freedom from chronic pain within the first few weeks of recovery.
Your breast reduction results will provide relief from the physical symptoms that brought you to seek surgery, though some initial swelling is normal and expected. Over the first few weeks, your breasts will settle into their new size and shape. Most patients report improvements in their ability to exercise, find properly fitting clothes, and feel more comfortable in daily activities.
Your results are designed to be permanent, though factors like significant weight changes, pregnancy, or aging may affect your breast shape over time. Maintaining a stable weight and following a healthy lifestyle will help preserve your beautiful outcome for decades to come. Dr. Geldner’s meticulous surgical technique means most patients find their scars fade significantly over time, becoming thin reminders of the transformation that gave them their freedom back.
The relief from chronic pain often occurs immediately, with many patients reporting their best night’s sleep in years just days after surgery. As healing progresses, you’ll discover renewed energy and confidence that comes from living without the constant burden of overly large breasts.
Like any surgical procedure, breast reduction surgery carries some inherent risks, including bleeding, infection, changes in nipple sensation, or asymmetry. However, Dr. Geldner’s extensive experience and the accredited surgical facility significantly minimize these risks through rigorous safety protocols and advanced surgical techniques designed to preserve nerve function and optimize healing.
During your consultation, Dr. Geldner will thoroughly discuss all potential risks and benefits, ensuring you have complete information to make an informed decision. Our team’s commitment to safety, combined with comprehensive pre-operative screening and post-operative care, helps ensure your procedure is as safe and successful as possible. Some patients may experience temporary changes in nipple sensation or breast sensitivity, which typically improve over time.
Other considerations include the possibility of visible scarring, though Dr. Geldner uses advanced closure techniques and strategic incision placement to minimize and optimize scar healing. While revision surgery is rarely needed, Dr. Geldner stands behind his work with comprehensive follow-up care to ensure your complete satisfaction with both symptom relief and aesthetic results.
Many insurance policies do cover breast reduction when it’s deemed medically necessary to treat symptoms like chronic pain, skin irritation, or physical limitations. Coverage depends on your specific insurance contract, and many policies require a minimum amount of tissue removal or a period of conservative treatment before approval. It’s extremely important to discuss your aesthetic goals during consultation—while insurance may cover the medical necessity, you want to ensure the final result meets all your expectations.
Our team works closely with insurance companies to help determine your coverage and assist with pre-authorization when applicable. For patients seeking purely aesthetic improvements or whose insurance doesn’t provide coverage, we offer various financing options to make your transformation accessible and affordable. During your consultation, we’ll provide transparent pricing and discuss all available options to help you achieve your goals.
“The care I received at The Geldner Center made me feel safe and heard. I love my results.”
~Patient Review
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The Geldner Center has earned its reputation as Chicago and Oak Brook’s premier destination for breast reduction surgery through our unwavering commitment to both medical excellence and aesthetic artistry. Dr. Geldner is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience who has performed over 10,000 breast procedures. The surgical facility meets high safety standards, and we focus on providing good care from consultation through recovery.
Located conveniently in both downtown Chicago and Oak Brook, we proudly serve patients throughout the greater Chicago area who seek relief from the burden of overly large breasts. What truly sets us apart is our comprehensive approach—addressing both your physical symptoms and aesthetic goals to ensure you’re completely satisfied with every aspect of your transformation.

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Watch a presentation that explains the procedure, preparation and recovery details.
Breast reduction costs in Chicago typically range from $8,000 to $15,000, though many insurance policies cover the procedure when medically necessary. During your consultation, we’ll discuss potential insurance coverage, provide detailed pricing, and explore financing options to make your transformation accessible.
Most patients return to work within 1–2 weeks and resume normal activities within 2–3 weeks. Complete healing takes about 6–8 weeks, after which you can return to all activities including exercise. Many patients experience immediate relief from chronic pain, with continued improvement throughout recovery.
While breast reduction does result in scars, Dr. Geldner uses advanced techniques to minimize scarring and strategically places incisions for optimal healing. Most scars fade significantly over 12–18 months, becoming thin, pale lines that are easily concealed by clothing and bras.
Many women can still breastfeed after breast reduction, though this depends on the surgical technique used and individual anatomy. Dr. Geldner takes great care to preserve milk ducts and nipple function when possible, and will discuss this important consideration during your consultation.
The amount of tissue removed varies based on your goals, symptoms, and insurance requirements if applicable. Dr. Geldner will work with you to determine the optimal size that relieves your symptoms while creating beautiful, proportionate results that match your aesthetic goals.
Breast reduction results are generally permanent, though factors like significant weight changes, pregnancy, or aging may affect your breast shape over time. Most patients maintain their results for many years and continue to enjoy relief from their pre-surgery symptoms.
Breast reduction removes significant amounts of tissue to reduce size and weight, while a breast lift primarily addresses sagging without substantially changing size. However, every breast reduction includes lifting techniques to create the most aesthetically pleasing shape.
Light walking is encouraged immediately after surgery to promote healing. You can gradually increase activity after 2–3 weeks, but should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks. Many patients are excited to return to physical activities they had previously avoided due to breast size.
The Geldner Center proudly serves patients from throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, including Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Western Springs, La Grange, Naperville, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, and surrounding communities. Our convenient locations in downtown Chicago and Oak Brook make it easy for patients throughout the region to access world-class breast reduction surgery.
Whether you’re coming from the North Shore, western suburbs, south suburbs, or downtown Chicago, our team is committed to making your journey to relief and renewed confidence as convenient and comfortable as possible. We welcome patients from across Illinois and neighboring states who seek Dr. Geldner’s expertise in life-changing breast reduction surgery.





Breast reduction surgery can help address the physical and emotional challenges of overly large breasts. At The Geldner Center, Dr. Geldner uses his experience to provide symptom relief while creating good cosmetic results.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Geldner to learn how breast reduction might help improve your quality of life. During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your symptoms, learn about your options, explore insurance coverage possibilities, and see why many women throughout Chicago and Oak Brook choose The Geldner Center for their breast reduction surgery.