Cost Of Breast Reduction Surgery In Canada

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that involves removing tissue and skin from the breasts to reshape and reduce their size. It can also make the dark skin surrounding the nipple (areola) smaller. The surgery involves making one or more cuts in the breast, and the excess tissue is then closed with stitches. Sometimes, the nipple and areola need to be removed and repositioned. Liposuction may be used alongside breast reduction surgery if excess skin isn’t a problem. The surgery is typically performed in a hospital or surgical center, usually with general anesthesia, and typically takes 3 to 5 hours. The incisions leave scars that usually fade over time. A breast lift, similar to breast reduction, can also be performed, but only removes skin and can raise sagging or drooping breasts, as well as the nipple and areola.

Breast reduction surgery in Canada costs between $6,500 and $11,000, depending on the type of procedure and location. The average cost was $6,500-$11,000 in 2016, with the lowest prices in Quebec ($4,000-$7,000) and Alberta ($4,500-$8,000). The cost also depends on the type of procedure, such as a traditional reduction with skin removal or a partial reduction with only some skin removed. Insurance coverage and other costs like anesthesia fees or post-operative pain medication prescriptions also affect the cost. Despite initial mixed feelings, some women have grown to accept their new breasts, despite the discomfort and awkwardness they may experience. Breast reductions are often performed to change proportions and reduce discomfort, such as back pain.

Breast Reduction Weight Requirements

The procedure, technically known as reduction mammoplasty, involves removing fat from the breast to make it smaller, more firm and lighter. Breast reductions are covered by all provincial health plans, but must be approved based on criteria that vary from province to province. (For example, in Ontario, size is not sufficient grounds for coverage, there must be associated back or neck pain. In Nova Scotia, at least 500 grams per breast must be removed.) If the breast reduction is not covered by a provincial health plan, costs range from $4,500 to $6,500.

“Breast reduction is a very common operation for plastic surgeons around the world,” says Dr. Nasim Huq, a Niagara Falls, Ont.-based doctor who has performed the procedure on more than 80 women. “With the increased prevalence of obesity, people are a little heavier. The surgery has become more safe and more popular.”

Tatum Rusak, a 30-year-old mother of two and owner of a home-based business, says the procedure appealed to her because she had trouble wearing nice clothes and finding bras to fit her 38H breasts.

“I had to go to specialty stores to find bras, they all cost over $100 — it was crazy to have to spend that much,” she says. “They would only last a few weeks and would then be garbage – they just don’t support that big a breast.”

The procedure

Breast reduction is a medical procedure that requires consultation with a surgical expert. Patients usually find a plastic surgeon to perform the procedure through referrals. To check on the specialty of a doctor and to verify certification, Canadians can contact The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at 613-730-8177, 1-800-668-3740, or through www.rcpsc.medical.org.

The patient then discusses the details of the surgery with the surgeon, going over issues such as where the nipples and scars will be positioned, and how much weight will be removed. A typical procedure sees 1-3 cup sizes reduced from the breast. Rusak, for example, went from a 38 H to a 36 DD, while Leslie Holland, a Campbellford, Ont.-based homemaker with three kids went from a 48DD to a 40 C, losing nearly 7 kilograms (15 pounds).

The procedure typically takes about two hours, and is performed under general anesthetic.

The most common way of performing breast reduction surgery is the “Inverted T,” where one incision travels along the bottom of the breast, and another goes upward to the nipple.

For smaller breasts, only a vertical incision is used, with no transverse cut along the breast. This technique is often used with liposuction, but is more difficult to do when a larger volume of the breast needs to be removed, says Dr. Huq.

Things to consider

The downside of the operation can include issues such as scarring and possible reactions to anesthetic, which can happen with any operation.

Having adequate support before and after the operation helps women to deal with its emotional and physical after-effects.

“Before the surgery I had some friends who went through it and coached me. I relied a lot on that. After the surgery, my mother took the kids for one week so that I can just relax and take care of myself. My surgery was on a Friday so my husband was home for two days with me … mostly just reaching for things and lifting things and just helping me around the house …. After that I was home by myself. I was fine,” says Sandra.

Rusak is pleased with the results of her breast reduction, but she experienced complications following the surgery.  Her husband took her to the emergency room, who then referred her to the plastic surgeon who performed the procedure.

“The incisions opened up, where the T meets,” she says. “There was a triangle under each breast that was opened, that was bleeding, yucky and painful. I went to [the plastic surgeon] the next day. They said it is fairly normal.”

The recovery time is also something women considering the procedure should take into account. Most people are back to their jobs (if they are desk jobs) within two weeks, but they are not able to do heavy lifting for four to six weeks after the procedure.

Due to the nature of her work, which involves running and lifting, Sandra says she took six weeks off of work after her procedure in February.

Many women, like Holland, experience minimal pain after the procedure. “Advil and Tylenol took care of the pain for me. I was still able to play with my kids, drive, but I couldn’t lift things.”

Some women who have had the procedure have trouble breastfeeding. Dr. Huq recommends that women do the surgery after having and breastfeeding their children, if they wish to breastfeed rather than bottle-feed.

“It depends on the techniques that are used. The traditional ways of doing the surgery usually cuts your breastfeeding ability in half,” says Dr. Huq.

How To Qualify For Breast Reduction Canada

An Overview of Surgery

In order to restructure and reduce the size of the breasts, breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, involves the removal of portion of the tissue and skin from the entire breast. The region of dark skin that surrounds the nipple, known as the areola, may also get smaller as a result of this.

To begin the process of removing tissue and skin from the breast, the surgeon will first make one or more cuts in the breast. Stitches are used to seal the skin after the extra tissue and skin have been removed from the area. There are occasions when the nipple and areola need to be removed and adjusted.

When combined with surgical procedures, liposuction is sometimes performed. It is possible that liposuction alone is sufficient for breast reduction if the majority of the breast is composed of fatty tissue and if there is no problem with excess skin.

General anesthesia is typically administered during breast reduction surgery, which takes place in a hospital or within a surgical center. The duration of the operation is typically between three and five hours. The majority of the time, an overnight stay is not required. For less significant reductions, the surgical procedure could be performed under local anesthetic.

It is expected that you will be able to return to your normal routine or work within two to three weeks, depending on the nature of the work that you do. The scars that are left behind by the incisions typically disappear over time.

When compared to a breast reduction, a breast lift, often known as a mastectomy, is comparable; however, in certain instances, only the skin is removed. One of the most prevalent issues that arises with large and heavy breasts is sagging or drooping breasts, which can be raised with a breast lift. It can also raise the nipple and areola.