Breast reduction is primarily an elective cosmetic surgery procedure to create a more proportionate figure. However, in some cases, the procedure may also be performed to address pain in the back, neck or shoulders, or rashes and other skin conditions, arising due to oversized and pendulous breasts.
Therefore, insurance coverage for breast reduction could be a possibility if it is performed as a medical necessity. Splendid, innovative, and board certified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) 
provide breast reduction surgery to patients in Houston, Texas, TX, and surrounding locations across the horizon in the amazing state of Texas.
Price Tag Components in Breast Reduction
Patients should be aware of the major cost components involved in a breast reduction plastic surgery procedure.
Surgeon’s Fee
One of the key financial components in breast reduction procedure is the fee charged by the surgeon. The fee can vary according to the skills, experience and recognition of the surgeon in the field of plastic surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends that patients should choose the right surgeon for her needs, and the surgeon’s fee should only be a secondary consideration in such a decision.
Anesthesia and Operating Room Costs
Breast reduction surgery may be performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. The fee of the anesthesiologist will be a part of the overall costs. The surgery may be performed at a hospital, an accredited surgery center, or a private surgical suite. The costs and benefits in each case could vary.
Additional Costs
When making a monetary estimate for breast lift, the patient should also consider the costs of prescription drugs, medical tests, mammograms, compression garments or surgical bra, and post-op visits to the surgeon’s office. These cost components can add up to be a considerable amount, and should be accounted for in the cost estimate.
Insurance Aspects
Patients who are considering a breast reduction procedure should contact their insurance company to understand whether full or partial costs of the procedure in their case could be covered by insurance. If the surgery is required to gain relief from pain in the back, neck or shoulders, address skin infection or other medical issues caused due to excessively large breasts, the insurer might cover some or all of the costs.
However, if the surgery is required only to enhance the breast appearance and size, insurance coverage will not be possible. Patients should consider the following tips about breast reduction surgery insurance coverage:
- Very substantial reductions (such as from an F cup to a C cup) will often be covered.
- Some insurance policies will pay for the surgery costs if at least half a kilogram (a little more than a pound) is removed from each breast.
- The insurer may take the patient’s body weight and height into account. Therefore, for patients whose body profile is smaller may get coverage even for a smaller breast reduction.
- Include all possible medical evidence as well as a pre-certification from the surgeon.
Remarkable and astute cosmetic surgeons at the ACPS receive patients from Houston, Texas, TX, and other cities and suburbs in The Lone Star State for breast reduction surgery.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.
The procedure is usually performed for aesthetic purposes to make the breasts look more attractive, but may also be performed for medical reasons to provide relief to the patient from the problems associated with excessively large breasts.
At the time of pre-op consultation, the surgeon will determine the patient’s candidacy for breast reduction, and will help her make the right decision. Salient, judicious, and board certified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) provide breast reduction surgery to patients in Houston, Texas, TX, and surrounding communities and cities in this area of the state.
Problems with Oversized Breasts
Oversized breasts can disrupt the overall body symmetry and proportion. Furthermore, they may cause obstructions in various activities such as sports or certain types of movements or bending. Patients may find it difficult to wear certain types of clothing, and may become conscious about their appearance in a social setting.
Excessively large breasts may also cause frequent pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Irritation or rashes may occur within the heavy breast fold or crease. If the patient is unable to improve the breast size through diet and exercise, she may benefit from breast reduction plastic surgery.
Suitable Candidates
The surgeons at ACPS will assess the patient’s general health condition, breast anatomy and aesthetic goals before recommending breast reduction. The following attributes typically make a good candidate for breast reduction:
- The patient is unhappy with the excessively large size of her breasts.
- Physical activity is curtailed due to breast size.
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, and back is a frequent occurrence due to oversized breasts.
- Breasts appear low hanging and pendulous, causing the skin to stretch and resulting in indentations from bra straps.
- The areolas are enlarged due to stretched skin.
Procedure
Breast reduction procedure is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia or IV sedation. The surgeon will create the incisions in pre-determined locations in an inconspicuous manner. Excess fat, tissue, and skin will be removed through the incisions surgically. In some cases, the surgeon may combine liposuction with breast reduction surgery to reduce fatty breast tissue.
The incision may be made in a circular manner around the areola, or in a keyhole pattern. In some cases, the surgeon may recommend a vertical incision or an anchor shaped incision. Through the incision the underlying breast tissue will be reduced, shaped and lifted. The surgeon will also reposition the nipples and reduce the size of the areolas by excising skin at the perimeter.
Once the breast size has been reduced, the incisions are brought together to reshape the breasts. The surgeon will place the sutures deep inside the breast tissue to support the newly shaped breasts. They will then close the incisions with surgical tape, skin adhesives or sutures.
Judicious and sensational cosmetic surgeons at the ACPS receive patients from Houston, Texas, TX, and other suburbs and neighborhoods in this part of the country for breast reduction surgery.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.