Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Average cost of breast reduction in massachusetts

Reducing the size of your breasts can have an enormously positive impact on your life. This is why a breast reduction consistently earns some of the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any aesthetic procedure. Overly large breasts may have an adverse effect on both your body proportion and your emotional well-being. Breast reduction boston patients have often been living with their big breasts for years, sometimes even since puberty. These patients will tell me how self-conscious they feel both in and out of clothes, and how this decrease in confidence affects every aspect of their lives. By restoring proper proportion and shape to the breasts, I am able to improve the appearance of your entire torso, making you look lighter overall. This, in turn, will make you feel more vital, self-confident and comfortable in your skin! While some insurance companies do cover the cost of a breast reduction if you meet certain criteria, I do not participate in any insurance programs. However, I do take cost seriously. Here is a breakdown of the factors that will affect the expense of your breast reduction so that you can make an informed decision.

Cost of a Breast Reduction

The cost of a breast reduction for my Boston area patients ranges anywhere from $15,000 – $17,000 depending on what, exactly, we decide to do. This does include hospital and/or surgery center fees, but does include any additional procedures that may be recommended. When you come in for your initial consultation, I will spend considerable time listening to what bothers you about your body contour. I will also perform a thorough physical exam to assess your:

Your individual anatomy and goals will dictate the parameters of your surgery.

Ideal Candidate for a Breast Reduction

As mentioned, many potential breast reduction patients were genetically gifted with overly large breasts. However, for others, the change in the size and shape of their breasts may be due to:

All of these things can have a negative impact on your breasts as they stretch the skin and tissues, often past the point where they can “bounce back”. The end result is a nipple that rests at or below your inframammary fold, which is the crease beneath your breasts. When I see this in combination with excess fat, I am typically going to recommend a breast reduction.

Breast Implant and/or Fat Affects Breast Reduction Expense

I know it may sound counterintuitive, but some patients might need a breast implant and/or fat grafting in addition to their breast reduction. This is because the ultimate purpose of surgery is to create the ideal breast shape for your body. When I look at you, I am assessing how your breasts interact with your entire torso. No one part exists in isolation. So, while we may need to reduce the overall size of your breasts, we may also need to add back volume in certain areas such as the upper pole. Fat grafting with or without a small implant is excellent for achieving that fullness is the top third of your breast. It can also help to restore symmetry as no two breasts are exactly the same size. There is an additional fee for a breast implant and/or fat grafting. I pride myself on being extremely honest and upfront with my patients. This is why I will walk you through exactly what I think needs to be done to deliver on your goals as well as the cost breakdown for your procedure.

Cost of Time

The other cost that must always be considered when it comes to a beast reduction is the cost of your time. The downside of any surgical procedure is that it will require time for recovery. And trust me, you do not want to rush your recovery as it can adversely affect the fabulous results that you just spent money to achieve. In general, you will need to lay low for the first two weeks. This means no:

Depending on your lifestyle, you may need to hire additional childcare, spend money on grocery deliveries, and take time off work if it’s not something that you can do from the comfort of your bed or couch. Most patients describe their breast reduction recovery as more uncomfortable than painful, but you will be swollen, bruised and not feeling a 100%. So, it’s important to plan accordingly. Generally, I release patients to normal activities and light cardio after 2 weeks, more aggressive workouts after 3 weeks, and upper body work after 4 – 6 weeks.

Average cost of breast reduction in massachusetts

Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure that decreases the size of the breast by removing unwanted fat, glandular tissue, and skin. Women with very large breasts are most likely to request this procedure. However, a less extensive version of breast reduction called “gynecomastia surgery” is becoming increasingly popular among men who have excess breast tissue.

Candidate Profile

If you’re a woman with breasts that are disproportionately large or asymmetrical, you may be a candidate for this surgery. Ideally, you should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the benefits and risks associated with cosmetic surgery. If you’re not at or near your ideal weight, your surgeon may recommend a weight loss program prior to this operation to minimize the amount of fatty tissue that must be surgically removed. Patients who smoke or have a health condition that could increase the risk of surgical side effects may not be the best candidates for this procedure.

Patient Consultation Overview

Your plastic surgeon will need to know your treatment goals. For example, you might be seeking this procedure to relieve one or more of the following symptoms:

Your cosmetic surgeon will review your entire medical history and walk you through the potential risks and side effects of the operation. In some cases, reduction mammaplasty is considered medically necessary rather than cosmetic. You’ll need to discuss your case with your surgeon and your insurance provider to find out whether any of your breast reduction costs may be covered by insurance. Breast reduction prices can vary depending on the extent of the surgery, whether both breasts will be reduced, and whether additional procedures such as a breast lift will be done at the same time.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

This procedure may be done under either general or local anesthesia depending on the surgeon’s assessment of the nature of the operation and your specific medical profile. This procedure may take 2 to 4 hours. The surgeon typically makes an incision around the areola, down to where the breast meets the rib cage, and along the breast crease. This is where your breast reduction scars will be.

The surgeon will remove skin, fat, and breast tissue as needed to reduce and reshape the breast. Liposuction may be used for fat removal. The nipple and areola may need to be repositioned to provide a normal appearance. The incisions are sutured closed and small tubes may be placed temporarily to drain excess fluid. You may be fitted with a special surgical bra or compression bandages to aid healing.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Some patients go home the same day while others must remain in the hospital for several days. Drains are removed after about three days and sutures are removed after 7 to 10 days. Tenderness, swelling, and bruising are normal side effects that should resolve over time. Your surgeon will let you know when you can resume regular activities. If your breast reduction recovery goes well, this may be just a few weeks.

Potential Complications from Breast Reduction Surgery

This operation carries many of the same complication risks as other types of plastic surgery. Potential complications that are unique to breast reduction include:

Breast Reduction Results

Many patients who have breast reduction surgery experience significant, ongoing relief from backache and posture problems. Many patients report that they feel more comfortable engaging in physical activity and sports. They also feel less self-conscious about their appearance and have an easier time finding well-fitting clothing.

breast reduction weight requirements

Normal breasts come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes large breasts can be bothersome and interfere with daily activities and lifestyle goals. A breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces breast size to manage symptoms resulting from large breasts.

What does breast reduction involve?

This surgical procedure involves the removal of skin and breast tissue, followed by reshaping and lifting of the breast to achieve a smaller breast size that is more proportional to the rest of the body.

How do you know if you’re a good candidate for breast reduction?

Good candidates for breast reduction are women who are in good health, confident that they would like to reduce the size of their breasts and have realistic expectations. Signs that breast reduction may be of benefit to you include:

Is breast reduction covered by insurance?

A breast reduction treats physical symptoms of large breasts, is considered a medically necessary procedure and is often covered by insurance. It is important to check with your insurance plan to determine their criteria for coverage and prior authorization. Insurance companies often require documentation of persistent symptoms caused by large breasts not responsive to other treatments.

Additionally, in order to be considered a true breast reduction, a certain amount of breast tissue must be removed. The minimal amount of tissue removed varies per insurance plan and is based on body surface area. Typically at least 200-350 grams must be removed from each breast for the procedure to be covered by insurance but this can range to a higher weight requirement to be removed of 700-800 grams.

What is the difference between a breast lift and breast reduction?

Both breast lift and breast reduction surgeries involve the removal of excess skin and breast tissue followed by breast reshaping, resulting in a lifted appearance.

However, a breast lift is purely cosmetic and not covered by insurance, whereas a breast reduction is often for the management of medical symptoms. If less than 200-350 grams of breast tissue is removed, the procedure may be considered a breast lift.

How much smaller will your breasts be after a breast reduction?

The amount of tissue your plastic surgeon will remove depends on several factors, including your initial breast size and the blood supply to your nipple. If your breasts are larger to begin with, more tissue may be removed. However, if too much breast tissue and blood supply are removed, the nipple may not have enough blood supply to survive.

It is not possible to predict cup size when planning surgery; however, it has been thought that for every 100-300 grams of tissue removed, your breast will decrease approximately one bra cup size. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will be able to determine a safe amount of breast tissue to remove.

Do you have to be a certain age to undergo breast reduction?

The minimum age to undergo a breast reduction may be in the teenage years in patients who have significant symptoms, though this is in careful consultation with the patient and the patient’s parents/guardians. It is recommended to wait until the breasts are fully developed.

If breastfeeding is important, some women opt to wait until they are done having children. Other women prefer to reduce their breast size earlier in order to get symptomatic relief.

Will your breast sensation be altered after breast reduction?

Breast sensation can be the same following surgery, though sometimes sensation in the nipple is decreased (numbness) or even increased (more sensitivity). As with breastfeeding, certain reduction techniques may better preserve nipple sensation depending on individual patients. You should ask your surgeon about what they expect your sensory outcome will be after breast reduction.

What is recovery like after a breast reduction?

After your surgery, you will go home with dressings over your breasts and possibly small drains in the incisions. You will be given a surgical bra to minimize swelling as the breasts heal.

Your surgeon will give you instructions on proper wound care and will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress. Incisions need to stay dry for the first few days, but you will be able to shower after 1-2 days typically.

The breasts are often swollen after the procedure, but the swelling will decrease over the first few weeks, after which you will be able to see the final result of your breast reduction surgery. There may be small areas of opening along the incision line that may take longer to heal.

Scars from the procedure heal over the course of at least a year after surgery and may appear redder in the beginning then fade over time.

breast reduction surgery recovery

Choosing to have breast reduction surgery can be a liberating moment. You’re doing something that will make you feel better emotionally and physically and improve your quality of life. With this decision comes the need to seek information. At Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI, we strive to answer your questions and make this momentous occasion as stress-free as possible.

Recovery Time After Breast Reduction Surgery

Every patient responds to surgery differently, so it’s difficult to say exactly how long it will take you to recover from this procedure. Realistically, you will need between two and six weeks to make a full recovery, although you’ll start to regain strength and energy within about seven days. You will likely need at least a week away from work, depending on the nature of your job, and during this time, you’ll have to limit your activities.

This means you will need help with meal preparation, housework, child care, shopping, and even caring for yourself. In addition, we recommend you not drive until you can comfortably wear a seatbelt. This can take between one and three weeks, so plan accordingly for your kids and your own appointments and needs.

A Suggested Timeline

Your surgery will only take a few hours, and then you’ll be placed in a recovery room where we can monitor your post-operative progress. We perform breast reduction as an outpatient procedure, and once you’re feeling alert enough, we will send you home.

You won’t be able to drive, so you’ll need to arrange for someone to bring you to and take you from surgery. That person should also plan on spending time with you at home to ensure you’re comfortable.

Day One

We consider this to be the same day as surgery, and once home, your goal is to simply rest. This will help your body start the healing process. You’ll be placed into a post-operative bra and have bandages over your incisions. But don’t worry – we’ll provide you with all the instructions necessary to properly care for your incisions.

This also marks the time when you’ll need to start wearing your bra 24 hours a day, except when showering. This helps keep you comfortable and also supports breast tissues as they recover from surgery.

Week One

You need this time away from work to continue resting. You should also use this first week to drink plenty of water – it helps with healing – eat well, and avoid strenuous activity. Stick to your pain medication schedule and familiarize yourself with the instructions we provided after surgery. If you have any questions during this time, we urge you to call our office right away.

We should also stress that your post-op instructions will likely differ from those of another patient. That’s why it is important to follow our recommendations for incision care, activity restrictions, and diet. They’re based on your needs specifically.

Gentle Walking

We’ve discussed the need for avoiding strenuous activities, but now is a good time to discuss what you can do just outside of surgery. Yes, rest is important, but you should also begin to incorporate some gentle walking each day. Start slowly, at maybe 10 minutes a day, and work your way up to 30 minutes.

This promotes blood flow, which your tissues need to heal, and prevents blood clots. Establishing this habit can also continue far beyond your healing period. Finally, walking will help you gradually return to normal activities.

No Heavy Lifting

After surgery, it’s important you refrain from straining your body. We therefore recommend you not lift anything heavy, including:

These recommendations will hold for at least two weeks. Additionally, don’t pick up or lift children, and keep your arms at a comfortable position without raising them over your head. Also avoid stretching and exercising until we give you the go-ahead.

Month One

Throughout this month, your body will change in a variety of ways. Your incisions will heal, although it may be several months before we recommend a return to underwire bras; the wire can chafe and damage skin that is still recovering. You’ll also note more energy and reduced pain in the neck and shoulders because, simply, your breasts are smaller.

This will mean more freedom of movement, but we recommend you slowly ease back into full activities. There’s no need to rush. Toward the end of the month, you will likely be cleared for low-impact exercises. You’ll be back to work, driving again, and caring for yourself. In other words, you’ll be back to your old self – only better.

Ways to Help Your Recovery

Much of your recovery will depend on you. If you follow the instructions we provide, you’ll likely enjoy a shorter healing period. For instance, planning for your return home after surgery can make life a little easier. Pour water, milk, and juice into small containers and have them ready in the refrigerator; this will allow you to drink without worry of lifting heavy gallon jugs.

Meal Plans

By planning what you’re going to eat for at least those first few days after surgery, you can give yourself more crucial time to heal. Pre-made meals that you store in the refrigerator or freezer can be easily heated in the microwave. In your planning, opt for high-protein foods like eggs, poultry, and fish. Protein can help you heal more quickly, and a simple meal of dark, leafy greens and grilled chicken is nutritious and comforting.

Plan for snacks as well. Cubed cheese, crackers, pretzels, and fruit are perfect for accompanying your medications and can be enjoyed almost effortlessly. Yogurt and nuts make equally smart choices. Use plasticware and paper plates so you don’t have to worry about washing dishes or loading and unloading the dishwasher as you heal.

Clothing

Loose, cotton pants or shorts and button-down shirts will be the most comfortable choices after surgery. Have a few outfits laid out to simplify dressing, and keep your nightwear within easy reach for nighttime. You should also:

The Procedure Explained

The purpose of this procedure is to reduce the weight and size of heavy breasts. To do this, we ensure results are more proportionate to the rest of your body. You then see a smaller bust that is more lifted, youthful, and contoured.

During surgery, we remove extra fat and stretched skin. This eliminates sagging so your silhouette as a whole is improved. We also ensure breasts are more symmetrical, correct stretched areolas, and reduce nipple size. Overall, your breasts will be lighter, well-balanced, and more attractive whether in or out of your clothes.

Reasons Women Opt for Surgery

We understand that each woman’s reason for surgery is slightly different. Some want to correct back pain; large breasts impact posture and spine curvature. They pull you forward without your even knowing it, which can strain the muscles and cause neck and back pain. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to cause headaches as well.

A lack of adequate support can also contribute to pain and poor posture. Because the breasts lack muscle tissue, they have very little natural support. Oversized breasts can therefore tax back muscles that work to compensate for additional weight in the front of the body.

Lack of Self Esteem

A woman inherently ties a part of her self-worth to her appearance. If she feels poorly about her body, as so often happens in women with large breasts, she will likely have low self-esteem.

As if to confirm this, we often see women hunching or wearing bulky, oversized clothing to try to hide their breasts. Surgery can instantly restore confidence in a woman by changing how she looks; it also provides a sense of empowerment because a woman who chooses this procedure is also choosing to take care of herself.


How big do your breasts need to be to get a reduction

There are many women who want to have larger breasts, and then there are those who want the exact opposite. If your natural breasts are larger than you would like or interfere with your ability to complete everyday tasks, then it might be time to consider a surgical solution. At My Cosmetic Clinic in Crows Nest, we know that breast reduction surgery can help you feel more comfortable with the appearance of your body.

How Many Sizes Can You Go Down in a Breast Reduction?

Generally speaking, most women seek to reduce the size of their breasts by at least one or two cup sizes. Ideally, the amount of breast tissue you eliminate should create a natural-looking silhouette, meaning that the proportions of your body will be evenly balanced. Women who have especially large breasts may need to reduce the size of their breasts by additional cup sizes to achieve the desired aesthetic goal.

What Is Removed During Reduction?

Breast reduction surgery removes three main components from the breast: unwanted fat, excess glandular tissue, and loose skin. The amount of each component removed during your reduction will be determined by your aesthetic goals, as well as the exact composition of your breasts.

For example, some women have breasts composed of more fatty tissue than glandular tissue, which means more fat will be removed during surgery. Any excess skin will also be removed during surgery, which will in turn help lift breasts into a higher and tighter position. The amount of unwanted breast tissue removed during surgery will correlate directly with the size, shape, and firmness of the breast after you are fully recovered.

How Much Weight Does Reduction Equal?

The amount of weight taken off your body by a breast reduction will be determined by the current size of your breasts and the amount of tissue that is being removed. On average, the range of breast tissue removed for most reduction surgeries is in the range of 450 and 600 grams. If you have larger breasts or you desired more tissue removed, you may be able to shed as much as 1 kilogram of weight from your body.

What Are Common Reasons for Women to Seek Reduction?

Women seek reduction surgery for many reasons, including first and foremost the desire to feel better about their overall appearance. The most common reasons to seek this surgery include:

Pain and Skin Irritation

Breasts that are overly large for your body frame can cause a lot of problems. Specifically, women who have large breasts also tend to have neck, shoulder, and back pain caused by stress on the muscular-skeletal system created by top-heavy weight at the front of the body. Some women also experience skin irritation under the fold of the breasts, such as painful chafing. Large breasts may also be more prone to tenderness.

Daily Attire and Intimate Clothing

Large breasts may pose a problem in terms of fitting into daily attire and intimate clothing. One issue, in particular, is finding well-fitting bras, which can be another source of pain from uncomfortable underwire and straps digging into shoulders. It may also be difficult to find supportive athletic clothing or tops that fit as designed.

Difficulties During Everyday Activities

Sometimes large breasts can even get in the way of everyday activities, including carrying or moving objects and participating in gym activities. The issue of larger breasts interfering with athletic activities can be a causal factor for other health issues, as well, since it can be hard to find a gym activity that is comfortable to perform.

Low Self-Confidence

Large breasts can also be a problem in terms of a woman’s self-esteem and self-confidence. For example, women with large pendulum-shaped breasts may struggle with self-esteem because overly large breasts have a less firm appearance, with a lower position on the chest wall.

What Is the Goal Result of Reduction Surgery?

The goal of reduction surgery is to restore balance to your body proportions and to lift breasts to a higher position with a firmer texture. This means the overall goal is to make the breasts lighter, tighter, and firmer with a higher position on the body. Other goals of reduction surgery include less physical pain or discomfort caused by overly large breasts.

Is Reduction Surgery Safe?

A reduction is a surgical procedure that necessitates the use of general anesthesia, which has several risk factors that may disqualify some patients from the procedure. Overall, a reduction is considered a safe procedure, but patients can expect to feel some pain, bruising, swelling, and an extended healing period to recover from the surgery. However, most patients are recovered within 3 to 5 weeks of surgery.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Reduction surgery can be used as a restorative procedure for maturing women or for women who are no longer breastfeeding. Good candidates for this procedure include those who are healthy enough to tolerate invasive surgical techniques. You are likely a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if you want to:

Relieve Your Daily Difficulties With Breast Reduction Surgery

There are many women who wish to have smaller breasts for the sake of their physical comfort and their ability to do everyday tasks, including exercise. If you believe that breast reduction surgery is the best way to simplify your life and improve your self-confidence, contact My Cosmetic Clinic in Crows Nest to schedule your consultation appointment today.

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