Breast Reduction Covered by Insurance
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Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is a procedure that can decrease the size of the breasts to balance your body proportions. Large breasts can be bothersome and affect your quality of life. Many women with large breasts suffer from back pain, and reducing the size of the breasts can help them find relief.
What some people may not know is that their breast reduction may be eligible to be covered by insurance! If your breast size changes after breastfeeding, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations, or if you have naturally large breasts, this procedure can help you feel more comfortable. (1)
At Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S., Dr. Jason M. Weissler, Dr. Stephanie A. Cooper and Dr. Jacqueline Ross have helped thousands of patients restore their figures with customizable breast reduction procedures. Contact our office to learn more about how breast reduction treatments can provide relief:
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Breast Reduction
Breast reduction is a procedure that removes excess fat and glandular tissue to create a smaller breast mound that is more proportional to your figure. Many individuals seek breast reduction to improve their quality of life, especially if they are struggling with:
- Back pain from large breasts
- Neck pain
- Skin irritation from droopy skin
If you are having difficulty participating in physical activity or wearing certain types of clothing because of the size of your breasts, the procedure can help you find relief and achieve your desired look.
After weight changes, it is common to experience droopy skin and breasts that are out of proportion with other areas of the body. We can also combine breast reduction with a breast lift. A lift can reposition the breasts and remove excess skin for a perkier appearance. (2) To learn more about our breast procedures, see the blog.
Breast Reduction for Gynecomastia
Breast reduction is not just for women. For men with enlarged breast tissue from a condition called gynecomastia, breast reduction surgery can help achieve a more masculine-looking chest. Surgical intervention is the most effective and long-lasting treatment for improving chest appearance and body proportions.
Benefits
There are several benefits of breast reduction, including:
- Relief from physical discomfort: Smaller breasts can reduce back, neck, and shoulder pain.
- Improved posture: With smaller breasts, many experience improved posture, which can positively affect overall spinal alignment.
- Enhanced physical activity: Exercising and playing sports can be more enjoyable with smaller breasts.
- Better clothing fit: You can enjoy increased clothing options and feel more comfortable wearing different types of clothes.
- Increased self-esteem: Feeling better about your appearance can improve your body confidence.
- Reduction of skin issues: If you have skin irritation from droopy breasts, smaller breast size can reduce skin irritation beneath the breast fold.
- Enhanced breast symmetry: If you have asymmetrical breasts, we can address it during your procedure to help you achieve a more even, balanced appearance.
- Long-lasting results: If you maintain a stable weight and take good care of your body, you can enjoy long-lasting results and a curvier figure.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for breast reduction are:
- Experiencing physical discomfort due to large breasts.
- Realistic about the results they can achieve with the procedure
- In good overall health
- Non-smokers or are willing to to quit for a period of time
- Able to maintain a stable weight
Personal Consultation
During your consultation, your surgeon will ask about your aesthetic goals and perform a physical exam to help you achieve your desired look. Please come prepared to discuss your medical history, current medications, and questions you have about the procedure. We can discuss the procedure process in-depth and create a personalized plan to help you achieve your body goals.
Preparation
To prepare for breast reduction, you will need to:
- Stop taking medications and supplements that thin your blood
- Refrain from smoking for 6 weeks before and after the procedure
- Fill prescriptions for your recovery
- Arrange for someone you trust to drive you home and care for you
- Take time off of work and prepare your home
We also recommend preparing your meals ahead of time so you can focus on resting during your recovery.
Procedure
During the procedure, we will cleanse your skin and mark it for surgery. The anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia, and your surgeon will make discreet incisions along the natural curves of your skin to remove excess breast tissue. Your surgeon can also reposition your nipple for a more natural appearance depending on the amount of excess skin and breast tissue you would like to have removed. After removing the tissue, your surgeon will redrape the skin and close the incisions. The type of incision your surgeon performs will depend on the condition of your skin, the size of your breasts, and your aesthetic goals:
- Vertical or “lollipop” technique: Your surgeon can make a thin incision along the circumference of the areola and vertically down to the lower breast fold to minimize scarring and reshape the breast.
- Anchor or “inverted T” technique: Your surgeon will make an incision around the areola that extends down the center of the breast and along the inframammary crease, creating an anchor-like shape.
Your surgeon may also perform liposuction, depending on the amount of fatty tissue you have in your breasts. During the liposuction treatment, your surgeon will cleanse the fatty tissue with tumescent fluid to cause the fat cells to swell for easy removal.
Recovery
It is normal to experience some swelling and bruising along the incision sites after your procedure. During your recovery, you will need to limit physical exercise and take extra precautions as instructed by your surgeon. Most patients can return to work after 1-2 weeks. You will need to follow up with the office to allow us to monitor your progress.
Results
After breast reduction surgery, you can enjoy balanced proportions and feel more comfortable in your body. You can also enjoy a natural appearance as the incisions fade into your skin over time and become less noticeable. Many patients feel that their body image and quality of life improve after the procedure. To maintain your results, we recommend that you take good care of your body and maintain a stable weight.
Additional Body Contouring Treatments
Tummy Tuck
If you have excess abdominal skin, we can remove it with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to help you achieve a smoother, more athletic abdomen. We can also tighten the underlying muscles if they are stretched by pregnancy or weight gain to improve your core strength.
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift is a procedure that removes excess, droopy skin from the legs for a smoother, more athletic figure. Excess thigh skin can cause clothing to fit in an unflattering way, or bothersome chafing during movement.
Body Lift
A body lift removes excess skin from the thighs, arms, and breasts for a more slender figure. If you recently experienced weight changes, we can highlight your muscle definition by removing excess skin that obscures your figure. If you have multiple areas where you are struggling with droopy skin, this is one of the most effective procedures to address it. We can also remove stubborn pockets of excess fat to help you achieve a slimmer body in just one appointment!
The Cost of Breast Reduction in Long Island
The cost of breast reduction will depend on the condition of your breasts and your aesthetic goals. If you would like additional body contouring procedures, we can also provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation.
Will My Breast Reduction be Covered by Insurance?
Insurance may cover breast reduction if it is deemed medically necessary. Documentation will be required, and our office can assist with this process. Contact our office to learn more:
FAQ
Is a breast reduction procedure painful?
You will receive anesthesia for your comfort. You may experience some swelling and tenderness after the procedure and during your recovery.
Will I have visible scars after breast reduction surgery?
We take care to make incisions along the natural folds of your skin. We can discuss any questions you have about incisions during your consultation. There are treatments available to lessen the appearance of scars after they have finished healing.
Can I still breastfeed after a breast reduction?
Breastfeeding is often still possible after a breast reduction. However, we recommend that you wait to undergo the procedure until you are finished having children because pregnancy can affect the longevity of your results.
How much time do I need to take off work for breast reduction?
Most patients can return to light work within 1-2 weeks, but this will depend on the physical demands of your job.
References
- Sadiq KO, Ruiz Cota P, Creamer R, Mahedia M, Dobke MK. Reduction mammaplasty relieves depression in women with macromastia: A systematic review. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2024;99:502-505. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2024.10.011
- Sachs D, Szymanski KD. Breast Reduction. PubMed. Published 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28723003/