Breast Reduction surgery Boston – or reduction mammoplasty – is one of the most commonly performed procedures carried out by Massachusetts surgeons – and delivers one of the highest satisfaction rates for patients. So, it’s perhaps not a huge shock that 98% of reduction mammoplasty patients posting on realself.com say the operation was worth it for them.

What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

While many women yearn for fuller breasts (leading to over 300,000 patients in 2018 opting for a breast augmentation), those who develop a larger chest can be just as unhappy with the figure that nature gave them.

In fact, Jolie A. Doggett who writes in the Huffington Post  says, “I have to get something off my chest – having big boobs sucks”.

Women with large breasts not only suffer from physical symptoms (also known as macromastia) including back, neck or shoulder pain, they may also have difficulty exercising, suffer low self-esteem and feel self conscious when out in public.

Fortunately, one of the most commonly performed procedures in plastic surgery may offer the answer to their problems.

Breast reduction surgery Boston aims to reduce the size, weight and shape of large and heavy breasts by removing excess breast tissue and fat, and reducing sagging skin to give the breasts an uplift at the same time.

The results are usually smaller, less painful and more manageable breasts with less chafing, along with a more youthful appearance.

Who will benefit most from Breast Reduction Surgery Boston?

Breast reduction surgery can be performed on women of most ages, and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery says even girls from their mid-teens may be suitable. However, many surgeons prefer to wait until the age of 18 before performing the operation, so that the breasts are more fully developed, and their patients are more emotionally prepared.

On the whole, the procedure is suitable for anyone who finds that their life is being limited by the size of their breasts – whether they have a larger or smaller cup size – and regardless of whether they were born with large breasts or their figure has changed over time.

As well as improving physical discomfort, breast reduction surgery Boston can help to provide more symmetry to the breasts, reduce sagging skin, treat large nipples and for those who are considering surgery later in life, create a younger contour.

It can also eliminate problems with skin irritation under the breast fold, help clothes fit better and may reduce any indentations in the skin made by bra straps.

Does Breast Reduction surgery generally improve confidence?

As well as addressing physical problems caused by having large breasts, the surgery is designed to help emotional issues too.

Many patients note an increase in self confidence after their breast reduction surgery because they are able to wear the clothes they’ve been dreaming of buying and can exercise more easily without pain. 

Blogger, Allison C Cooper said, “a few weeks after I finally let my body recuperate….a wave of confidence washed over me. I started to feel comfortable in my skin, something that I couldn’t remember ever feeling…having breast reduction surgery was the best decision for me long term and it truly gave me the confidence to be the best version of myself”.

One patient who visited Dr. Mark Markarian, a Board-Certified Plastic surgeon in Boston, documented her experience in a video diary on YouTube

What kind of surgical techniques are used for Breast Reduction Surgery?

According to webmd.com, breast reduction surgery usually takes around two to five hours under anaesthetic.

For some patients who are only looking for a moderate reduction and have good skin elasticity, the surgeon may opt to use liposuction. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery says the advantages of liposuction are a shorter less invasive procedure, virtually undetectable scars and lasting results.

If there is more to correct in terms of size and lift, other techniques are used. 

These include a vertical or lollipop breast reduction – a procedure where the incision runs from the areola down to the breast fold. Alternatively, patients may be suitable for the inverted-T or “Anchor” breast reduction. This involves three incisions to allow for maximum breast tissue removal. 

Can Breast Reduction surgery be combined with any other procedures?

The great news is that if breasts are sagging, Breast Reduction surgery Boston may include a lift as part of the same procedure. As bustle.com reports, this means that a patient’s new chest will look more natural and they will avoid the problem of loose skin.

In addition, if stretched nipples and areolas need to be rectified, this can be addressed during the same procedure.

What are the risks of Breast Reduction Surgery?

A reduction carries the same risks as any other type of major surgery in terms of bleeding, infection and a reaction to anaesthesia.

For Breast Reduction surgery specifically, the Association of American Plastic Surgeons outlines that there may be a possibility of changes in nipple or breast sensation, problems with fluid accumulation and a potential inability to breastfeed, among other negative outcomes.

Many patients also worry about unfavourable scarring but there are ways this can be minimized.

Dr. Mark Markarian, Breast Reduction Surgery Boston surgeon, specializes in the short-scar reduction to accurately reshape a wide range of breast sizes with maximum surgical accuracy and limiting the incisions associated with breast reductions.

The specific risks for individual patients depend on their personal health and the procedure chosen (among other factors) and the likelihood of suffering problems should be discussed in detail with their chosen plastic surgeon.

Will insurance cover Breast Reduction surgery?

As with all surgery, it’s generally accepted that aesthetic surgery won’t be covered by health insurance but medically necessary surgery (for health reasons) may be covered.

As breast reduction surgeries are often performed because a patient can no longer bear the physical impact of having large breasts or that their daily life is affected, an insurance policy may cover some or all of the costs.

Patients should contact their insurance provider to find out what kind of written information they require from the surgeon when considering a claim – and  to receive confirmation of how much of the procedure they will pay for. This needs to be established before surgery is booked.

Patients will be responsible for any copays or deductibles so it’s worth doing some research into the insurance policy before making any commitments.

What do individual insurance companies say about Breast Reductions?

Everyone’s individual circumstances are different – and that includes the problems they are experiencing because of their large breasts, the surgery they are considering and the insurance policy they have paid into.

Different insurance companies have different criteria that need to be satisfied before they will pay out for surgery.

For instance, when we curated this content in May 2020, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina said it covered reduction mammoplasty when certain criteria are met, such as:

  • The patient suffers from neck, back or shoulder pain not related to other causes,
  • The patient has significant shoulder grooving,
  • Other methods to relieve the patient’s pain have not worked.  

These are just a few of their criteria.

The United Healthcare Community Plan outlined that patients are eligible for coverage (among other criteria):

  • Following mastectomy to achieve symmetry,
  • Prior to mastectomy to preserve the nipple or where macromastia is causing functional impairment including severe skin excoriation, headache, severe restriction of physical activities, upper back or neck pain.

Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare said they would cover the cost only when the procedure is deemed medically necessary (it’s worth checking if this includes self esteem issues and mental health conditions) and when performed in a Harvard Pilgrim contracted facility.

It’s important to treat the above information as a guide only. As with any policy, the criteria that need to be met may be updated at any point.

The only way to find out if a surgery and a patient are covered for certain is to contact the policy provider with information from the surgeon before booking surgery.

If insurance doesn’t cover the surgery, how much could a Breast Reduction cost?

According to 2018 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for a breast reduction was $5680 but this doesn’t include fees for anaesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses, which can often double the cost.

How long does it take to recover from Breast Reduction Surgery?

Unless there are any complications, patients will go home the same day and will receive recovery instructions from their surgeon about medications, how long to rest and what to wear.

The first few days may be very sore so having a family member or friend on hand to help lift or reach things would be advisable.

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons says that patients are likely to feel ready to drive and return to a desk job within one week but it will be a minimum of three to four weeks before exercise can be resumed.

Will further surgery be needed in the future?

The same ABCS report says that patients can expect to enjoy smaller lighter breasts for a lifetime as long as they maintain a stable weight and do not have any more children.

Sadly though, nothing can stop the normal aging process, so sagging may happen again, but perhaps not as severely as before.

There is also the possibility that a touch up such as a scar revision may be required – or a repositioning of the nipple may be needed once things have settled down.

While the likelihood of revision surgery is relatively low, a patient’s surgeon can give a more accurate prediction of any that may be required – depending on each individual case.

What’s the best way to choose the right surgeon?

No two patients’ goals and bodies are identical so any surgeon should individualize their assessment and discuss a patient’s motivations and desired outcomes in detail.

Usually, however, someone consulting a physician about reduction mammoplasty is looking to correct physical symptoms as well as see aesthetic improvements.

It’s important that there’s a sense of confidence in the surgeon, that they frequently perform this type of surgery and that their portfolio of before and after photographs demonstrates that they are able to both reduce the size of the breasts and create a pleasing new silhouette.

Of course, the surgeon should be board certified and a patient would be wise not to choose on price alone – their safety and achieving the outcome they want are too important.

As with any procedure, taking along a list of questions to a first consultation, and coming away with all the answers they need, should help a patient make the right decision for them and their new body shape.

Disclaimer

Please note: All materials on the Site, such as text, treatments, outcomes, photographs and images and any other material provided on the Site are for information purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding treatments. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Site.
Though the content of this blog has been carefully prepared, the author of this content is not a medical doctor and the content has not been reviewed by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. 
Unless specifically stated, patients referred to in this blog have not received a Breast Reduction procedure by Dr Mark Markarian. This blog does not endorse the work of any doctors or surgeons mentioned. Stories relating to patients’ personal experiences of the Breast Reduction surgery Boston should be treated as anecdotal only. Information about costs and insurance policies are for guidance only and should not be treated as accurate after publication. It is advised that costs and policy details are checked with individual physicians and the relevant insurance company.
Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and his, her or their responsibility.