A breast reduction procedure is a reconstructive procedure that aims to remove excess breast tissue and skin to obtain a breast size proportional to your physique, and also relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain associated with having very large breasts.
What is the cost of breast reduction?
The exact cost of a breast reduction cannot be established without consulting a cosmetic or plastic surgeon. There are several factors to consider, and each patient is unique.
However, according to 2020 figures from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, the average breast reduction cost (aesthetic patients alone) is $5,913. This average price is only a portion of the overall cost; it may not include:
- Anesthesia
- The operating room or hospital costs
- Pre-surgical tests, like for anemia, nicotine
- The type of procedure you need (there are several approaches)
- Special post-surgical garments
- Prescription medications
- Additional pain management injections
- Consideration for the area you live
- The demand for the surgeon you choose
You can see that to determine the price; you need to consult a cosmetic surgeon’s office. Most surgeons offer financing or payment plans to help make having breast reduction surgery more affordable.
Does health insurance cover breast reduction surgery?
Depending on your individual health insurance coverage, some plans may cover breast reduction surgery. However, our practice not work directly with insurance companies and you will need to work with your insurance provider to get the proper clearance and reimbursement if you are eligible.
You will be responsible for any copays or deductibles that your insurance requires. If your health insurance does not cover breast reduction surgery, you may choose to explore financing options or pay cash.
Is Breast Reduction Surgery Right for Me?
Do you have big breasts that cause problems in your daily life? Perhaps you find it challenging to be active because of the extra weight of your breasts. Or maybe you suffer from persistent back, neck, or shoulder discomfort daily.
You may not yet be experiencing one of these difficulties, but you might be highly self-conscious about the size of your breasts. If you have any of these issues, you may be the right candidate for breast reduction surgery.
You’ll probably feel like a million bucks
Several studies have indicated that breast reduction surgery improves women’s self-esteem, body image, and physical health. “It has one of the greatest satisfaction percentages of any surgery we undertake,” adds Dr. Bernard. In one research, 95 percent of patients were pleased with the results.
But you’ll be out for a few weeks
The operation is an outpatient procedure that takes around three hours. Women usually return home the same day or the next day, depending on their other procedures. If you have additional surgeries, like liposuction or a tummy tuck, your surgeon may want you to stay overnight in a recovery facility. However, you will need to rest afterward, and there is typically some pain to manage, so plan on taking a few days off work or school to recover. You will need to get up and take short walks regularly, but any strenuous activity will have to wait for approximately a month.
Good news! You’ll also receive a breast lift
When your surgeon does a breast reduction, they remove extra tissue and skin from your breasts to make them smaller and relocate the nipples up to their natural position. So a breast reduction surgery may be combined with a breast lift, so it is actually two procedures in one.
You will have swelling and some scarring
For a period, the incision areas will be swollen. Scars heal well in most individuals within a year of surgery, but they’re always there to some extent. Scars are a product of any incision made on the body. A great surgeon will be mindful of leaving as little scaring evidence as possible. The technique they use plays a big part, but you also have to consider your hereditary. Some people’s skin heals better than others.
What’s Next?
If you are interested in discussing breast reduction cost and the procedure or scheduling a consultation to see if a breast reduction procedure is right for you click here.
