The Empire Plan - Breast reduction guide
The Empire Plan (NYSHIP) Breast reduction
Will The Empire Plan cover my breast reduction surgery?
The Empire Plan (NYSHIP), covers breast reductions based on United Health Care Coverage Guidelines. For up-to-date coverage rationale, please check their website. At the time this article was published the following criteria needed to be met in order for The Empire Plan to pay for breast reduction surgery.1)Following mastectomy to achieve symmetryor2)Prior to mastectomy to help preserve the viability of the nippleor3)To help with symptoms of macromastia-Skin excoriation/intertrigo unresponsive to medical management
-Headache
-Severe restrictions of physical activity
-Nerve compression symptoms
-Acquired kyphosis
-Chronic breast pain due to weight of the breasts
-Upper back, neck, or shoulder pain
-Shoulder grooving from bra strapsAND-The amount of tissue removed is in the 22nd percentile for a given body size (can be less but a case-by-case basis) - to be calculated at your consultationAND-The proposed procedure is likely to result in significant improvement of the functional impairment
More Breast reduction questions and answers below
What is a breast reduction?
A breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is a popular option for individuals with excess skin and soft tissue of their breasts. This is especially true after pregnancy, menopause, and weight fluctuations. Many of these changes cannot be reversed by diet and exercise. As we age, the glandular breast tissue stretches and falls with gravity. The nipple-areola complex starts to point downward instead of forward. During a breast reduction surgery, the nipple is moved higher on the breast, the skin is tightened, and the breast volume is reduced. While some patients just want smaller breasts, others undergo breast reduction for symptoms of enlarged breasts (macromastia).
What are the symptoms of enlarged breasts (macromastia) that may benefit from breast reduction surgery?
Symptomatic macromastia is a constellation of symptoms relating to the excess volume and weight of the breasts. Patients often complain of back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, bra strap grooving or pigment changes, and breast pain. Patients can have poor posture from the weight and position of the breasts on their chest wall. Also, the patients can have rashes or skin problems on the undersurface of their breasts due to skin-on-skin contact (intertrigo). Reducing the volume and weight of the breasts and repositioning the breasts higher on the chest may help to improve some of these symptoms. No plastic surgeon can guarantee specific symptom relief after breast reduction surgery.
Can I have a breast reduction without scars?
The short answer is no. There is no current substitute for removing unwanted skin and repositioning the breast tissue without the incisions typical of a breast reduction surgery. The amount of excess skin and the preoperative position of the nipple will dictate what type of incision is used and how much skin is ultimately removed. Anytime you cut the skin there will be a “scar.” The potential for well-healing fine scars is higher with proper technique. Breast skin tends to heal very well relative to other places on the body.
What are the incisions for a breast reduction?
The incisions for a breast reduction vary depending on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed. There are two general types of breast reduction incisions. A vertical breast reduction, or lollipop breast reduction, is an incision around the areola and a vertical incision from the areola to the inframammary fold (IMF). A wise pattern, or anchor pattern, breast reduction is a vertical breast reduction pattern and an additional incision in the IMF.
What is a vertical breast reduction?
A vertical breast is also referred to as a lollipop incision breast reduction. The incision is a periareolar incision (around the nipple) and a midline vertical incision that typically heals without issue and is very well tolerated. This incision helps to cone the breast and give it a youthful shape.
What is a wise pattern breast reduction?
A wise pattern breast reduction combines the vertical breast lift (periareolar incision with midline vertical incision) and adds an incision in the inframammary fold (IMF). The IMF incision helps to remove excess skin and shorten the difference between the nipple and the fold. While this incision is the longest, it is also the most powerful in terms of skin removal and control of shape. In my opinion, the IMF incision is the least consequential of the three incisions as it hides very well in the fold underneath the breast. That being said, once a vertical incision is needed, the addition of an IMF incision should not dissuade a patient from this procedure or from a specific surgeon.
Can a breast reduction make my nipples smaller?
First, it is important to know if you truly want your nipples smaller or if you would like a reduction of the areola (pigmented tissue around the nipple). There are ways to make the actual nipple smaller including wedge excision and base reduction. More commonly, women complain of large areolas. Some women have large areolas at baseline. The areolas can get larger during life events like pregnancy, puberty, and weight gain. It is unlikely that the size of the areolas will reduce a significant amount after they have stretched. That being said, the areola size can be reduced at the time of a breast reduction.
Can I reduce the size of my areolas?
Yes. Some women have large areolas at baseline. The areolas can get larger during life events like pregnancy, puberty, and weight gain. It is unlikely that the size of the areolas will reduce a significant amount after they have stretched. That being said, the areola size can be reduced at the time of a breast reduction. There are different sizes plastic surgeons consider “normal.” Generally, this number is between 38 mm and 42 mm for the areola diameter but can be smaller or larger depending on the size of the breast. It is important to discuss the ideal areola size with your surgeon prior to undergoing a breast reduction surgery.
What is the difference between a mastopexy, a breast lift, and a breast reduction?
A breast lift and a mastopexy are two ways to describe lifting the nipple to a more youthful appearance and reshaping the breast without a significant reduction in volume. Of course, the act of removing skin will reduce the breast volume and some additional breast tissue is usually removed to assist with creating a more youthful shape. That being said, a mastopexy or breast lift aims to keep volume and reshape that volume. In a breast reduction, the nipple is lifted, the breast is reshaped, and breast tissue is removed from strategic areas to make the breasts smaller. These operations can be thought of on a spectrum. While insurance companies tend to consider a mastopexy a cosmetic procedure, breast reduction surgery is sometimes covered by insurance if certain criteria are met.
Are breast lifts covered by insurance?
Breasts lifts are not typically covered by insurance. Breast lifts are considered a cosmetic procedure. If a significant volume of tissue is removed, this operation would be considered a breast reduction and may be covered by your insurance. Each insurance carrier has different criteria that need to be met in order to qualify.
Are breast reductions covered by insurance?
Sometimes. Your insurance company may cover breast reductions. Each insurance carrier has different criteria that need to be met in order to qualify. Your insurance carrier’s website will have more information on specific requirements.
Can I have liposuction of my breasts?
Liposuction of the breasts is not an effective strategy for volume reduction. Breast tissue is fibrous and does not separate well with liposuction. There are some areas that can sometimes benefit from liposuction including mild fullness in the armpit and excess fat of the lateral breast/chest. Other than that, the breasts require excision procedures for areola reduction, nipple lift, tissue reshaping, and volume reduction.
Will I have drains after my breast reduction?
Potentially. This is a decision that is discussed in your preoperative visit with your surgeon. Drains are small rubber tubes that help avoid excess fluid from accumulating in your body. While drains are a small inconvenience for a few days, drains help the recovery process. Some surgeons do not use drains. In my practice, I tend to avoid drains in breast lifts, mastopexies, and breast reduction surgeries unless there is a special circumstance.
What is a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover tends to be used to describe a tummy tuck performed in conjunction with aesthetic breast surgery. The aesthetic breast surgery could be a breast reduction, a breast lift (mastopexy), a breast augmentation (breast implants), or an augmentation/mastopexy (lift plus implants). A tummy tuck with a breast procedure is safe to do as long as your surgeon can do both cases in an expeditious manner.
Can I have a breast reduction before having children?
Yes, you can have a breast reduction before having children. Many patients choose to undergo breast reductions prior to having children to improve back pain, posture, shoulder notching, and their overall quality of life.
Can I have a breast lift before having children?
Yes, you can have a mastopexy or breast lift before having children. That being said, I counsel my patient’s extensively and encourage them to wait until they are done have children to improve the final result. Even the best results can be compromised with weight loss, weight gain, or additional pregnancies. In contrast, many patients choose to undergo breast reductions prior to having children to improve back pain, posture, shoulder notching, and their overall quality of life.
Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?
Potentially. It is important to understand that up to 40% of patients will not be able to successfully breastfeed at baseline. During a breast reduction surgery, the nipple remains attached to some percentage of glandular tissue so it is possible to breastfeed successfully after breast reduction surgery. That being said, there is no way to guarantee this as a surgeon.
How long is a breast reduction surgery?
A breast reduction, depending on the complexity, takes around 1.5-3 hours. Additional operative time may be needed if another procedure is performed at the same visit. The total operative time may be longer when accounting for anesthesia time at the beginning and the end of the procedure.
What should I expect the first week after a breast reduction?
A breast reduction is not a particularly painful operation but you may have some discomfort for several days. You will likely be swollen for the first several days after surgery. You will likely have a dressing on the incisions and a surgical bra to help keep weight off of the healing incisions. You will want to avoid any pushing, pulling, or other strenuous activity for the first few weeks. I advise my patients to avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds (a gallon of milk) for the first several weeks after surgery.
What are my limitations after a breast reduction?
All surgeons have slightly different protocols so each patient should follow their surgeon’s protocols. In general, breast lift patients should be treated similar to other major surgeries with the avoidance of strenuous activity and exercise for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Patients should walk frequently to attempt to avoid blood clots. Patients can power walk or get on a stationary bike as early as 2-3 weeks after surgery. The biggest issue that we hope to avoid by limiting certain activities is wound breakdown.
How much does a breast reduction in NYC cost?
Breast reduction surgery may be covered by your insurance. If this is the case, you will still be responsible for any deductible and copay that is stated in your policy. If you are not covered by your insurance or you choose to go out of pocket for a breast reduction, there are 3 main costs: the facility fee, the anesthesia fee, and the surgeon's fee. For the patient, the average total cost in NYC for a breast lift will likely be $10,000-$18,000+ depending on the surgeon you choose.
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