Breast reduction is a surgical procedure to remove excess breast skin and fat to create a more proportional silhouette and relieve the pain associated with heavy breasts. The extra ‘perk’ of a breast reduction is a lift of the nipples, resulting in smaller, perkier breasts.
Medical reasons for getting a breast reduction:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder grooving (indentation in the shoulders from bra straps)
- Rashes, infections, or skin ulcerations underneath the breasts
- Poor posture
- Difficulty exercising
Social and aesthetic reasons for getting a breast reduction:
- Social stigma
- Difficulty fitting into clothing, especially bathing suits, dresses, and bras
Is breast reduction covered by insurance?
Yes, we accept most major insurances. After your consultation, our insurance specialists submit the claim to your insurance for approval prior to surgery. Every insurance company is slightly different but, generally speaking, insurance companies require documentation of how your large, heavy breasts have negatively impacted your life. Most insurances require a minimum amount of breast tissue be removed during surgery to qualify for medical necessity. The minimum amount is calculated based on your height and weight.
What about the scars?
You may be initially hesitant about having surgery because of the scars. Be assured that breast reduction patients are some of the happiest in my practice. Patients are overjoyed by the almost instant relief in neck and back pain after surgery. Most scars are hidden in natural creases, and the tradeoff of being pain-free and having perkier breasts are well worth it for most women. There are two typical incision patterns: the lollipop or the anchor. With the lollipop incision, you’ll have a scar around the nipple and vertically downward, resembling the shape of a lollipop. With the anchor incision, you’ll have an additional line hidden under the fold of your breasts.
Want a visual representation?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a great animation:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction/animation
Book a consultation to learn more.