Breast reduction is a wonderful choice for women who wish to reduce the size of extremely large breasts.
A large bust is often the source of great physical and emotional pain for women, as the extra weight can cause back and neck pain, bra indentations, skeletal deformities, embarrassment and trouble finding clothes that fit.
How Does Breast Reduction Work? There are a variety of methods a doctor can use when performing reduction surgery.
The method chosen will typically depend on a woman's body type, her desired size and aversion to scarring.
A traditional procedure is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or certified ambulatory center.
An incision is made in the shape of an inverted T with the cut going around the areola and continuing in a vertical line from the nipple to finish up under the fold of the breast.
Once the incision is made, the surgeon can then remove excess fat and tissue to bring the bust to the patient's desired size.
The areola and nipple may also be moved up higher to eliminate the look of sagginess.
A middle of the road approach to this procedure is called a "vertical breast reduction" in which the incision is only made around the areola and vertically down the breasts to resemble the shape of a lollypop.
With one less incision than the traditional method listed above, this method is ideal for patients that only require a modest reshaping of the bust.
A final approach is known as the "scarless breast reduction", which uses liposuction to remove excess fat and tissue.
In this procedure, a small incision (approximately 1/4 inch) is made in the fold.
A canulla for the liposuction is then inserted to remove excess fatty tissue.
There is no additional cutting, scarring or pain and the procedure only requires light sleep and local anesthesia.
This procedure is also recommended for patients want to reduce asymmetry without scars.
However, it's important to know that this particular technique is only effective in the case of a woman that wishes to have minor surgery, as liposuction will not remove the firmer (and heavier) grandular tissue in the breast.
The procedure also does nothing to lift breasts following a reduction or move the nipples should they still face downward.
Is Breast Reduction Surgery Covered By Insurance? In most cases, yes-breast reduction surgery is covered by insurance.
However, it's important for a woman to contact her insurance company before hand to find out what degree of pain/tissue removal is considered "medically necessary".
This may require documentation of back problems, on-going pain or proof that the doctor will be removing at least 500 g (or just over 1 pound) of tissue.
But typically, insurance companies understand that large breasts can lead to pain and other long term medical problems.
It's generally cheaper for them to cover the procedure and nip pain in the bud than continue to pay for years of pain management, chiropractic care and pain medication in extreme cases.
Getting Started With Breast Reduction Surgery Getting started with breast reduction surgery is as simple as picking up the phone and contacting a local board certified cosmetic surgeon for a free consultation.
If the doctor decides that this procedure is right for you, the surgery date will be set and you'll be on your way to smaller breasts in no time!
A large bust is often the source of great physical and emotional pain for women, as the extra weight can cause back and neck pain, bra indentations, skeletal deformities, embarrassment and trouble finding clothes that fit.
How Does Breast Reduction Work? There are a variety of methods a doctor can use when performing reduction surgery.
The method chosen will typically depend on a woman's body type, her desired size and aversion to scarring.
A traditional procedure is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or certified ambulatory center.
An incision is made in the shape of an inverted T with the cut going around the areola and continuing in a vertical line from the nipple to finish up under the fold of the breast.
Once the incision is made, the surgeon can then remove excess fat and tissue to bring the bust to the patient's desired size.
The areola and nipple may also be moved up higher to eliminate the look of sagginess.
A middle of the road approach to this procedure is called a "vertical breast reduction" in which the incision is only made around the areola and vertically down the breasts to resemble the shape of a lollypop.
With one less incision than the traditional method listed above, this method is ideal for patients that only require a modest reshaping of the bust.
A final approach is known as the "scarless breast reduction", which uses liposuction to remove excess fat and tissue.
In this procedure, a small incision (approximately 1/4 inch) is made in the fold.
A canulla for the liposuction is then inserted to remove excess fatty tissue.
There is no additional cutting, scarring or pain and the procedure only requires light sleep and local anesthesia.
This procedure is also recommended for patients want to reduce asymmetry without scars.
However, it's important to know that this particular technique is only effective in the case of a woman that wishes to have minor surgery, as liposuction will not remove the firmer (and heavier) grandular tissue in the breast.
The procedure also does nothing to lift breasts following a reduction or move the nipples should they still face downward.
Is Breast Reduction Surgery Covered By Insurance? In most cases, yes-breast reduction surgery is covered by insurance.
However, it's important for a woman to contact her insurance company before hand to find out what degree of pain/tissue removal is considered "medically necessary".
This may require documentation of back problems, on-going pain or proof that the doctor will be removing at least 500 g (or just over 1 pound) of tissue.
But typically, insurance companies understand that large breasts can lead to pain and other long term medical problems.
It's generally cheaper for them to cover the procedure and nip pain in the bud than continue to pay for years of pain management, chiropractic care and pain medication in extreme cases.
Getting Started With Breast Reduction Surgery Getting started with breast reduction surgery is as simple as picking up the phone and contacting a local board certified cosmetic surgeon for a free consultation.
If the doctor decides that this procedure is right for you, the surgery date will be set and you'll be on your way to smaller breasts in no time!