Breast Reduction
Description
The Surgical Procedure
What to Expect After Surgery
Resuming Physical Activities
What is a Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction improves the appearance of overly large breasts by reducing their size and reshaping them. The surgery is specifically designed to relieve symptoms of pain and discomfort in the breasts, shoulders, neck and upper back.
New developments in breast reduction surgery include the limited incision techniques, including the LeJour technique and the use of liposuction for artistic shaping of the breast.
The procedure is often covered by insurance but smaller reductions my be considered cosmetic by insurance companies. Prior authorization is often required to determine a particular insurance company’s criteria for coverage.
The Surgical Procedure
The procedure takes between 3-5 hours. Breast reduction surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis but this varies depending on the size of the operation and the health of the patient. New breast reduction techniques are now available that offer more limited scars. The choice of technique used depends on patient age and anatomy.
The exact cost of this procedure varies depending on the extent of the procedure. The surgery package price includes the surgeon's fee, the anesthesiologist's fee, hospital fee and operating room expenses. Cosmetic breast reduction surgery typically costs between $6,000 to $7,500.
What to Expect After Breast Reduction Surgery
Pain is usually relatively light, often being a degree of minor discomfort. Some swelling will occur, but this usually begins to go away by the third or fourth day. Rest as much as possible for the first week. Avoid raising your arms over your head for 2 weeks.
Resuming Physical Activities
- Driving - 1 week
- Non-contact sports - 3 weeks
- Contact sports - 6 weeks
- Sexual activity - 2 weeks
- Avoid any strenuous exercising or lifting for 3-4 weeks.Request Consultation »