What do I need before scheduling a breast reduction appointment?
As required by most insurance carriers, our practice requires the following documents be received prior to scheduling a consultation. Please be sure to send all that is required as we cannot make appointments without what is listed below.
Required documentation from at least one physician:
- Six months of documented medical conditions:
- Chest pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Back pain and/or
- Skin breakdown
- Six months of documented conservative medical management:
- Support bra
- Exercise
- Hot/cold treatment
- Pain medication and/or muscle relaxants
- Physical therapy
- BMI (body mass index) of 30 or less, must be documented and a copy of an up-to-date mammogram if you are over the age of 40 years old.
Records can be emailed to plasticsurgeryscheduling@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or faxed to 215-893-5596. Please contact our office at 215-662-7300 with any questions or to schedule your appointment.
How long does breast reduction surgery take?
The average breast reduction surgery can take two to four hours to complete. Your surgeon may be able to give you an estimate of how long your particular procedure will take.
Is breast reduction risky?
All surgeries carry the risk of complications. However, breast reduction surgery itself is typically very safe.
The most common breast reduction complications are infections, loss of nipple sensation and breast reduction scars. Most patients have a lollipop-shaped scar that circles the nipple and includes a straight line down to the crease under the breast, or an anchor-shaped scar along the fold under the breast. The scar will be red at first but will fade over the next year.
Is the breast reduction procedure painful?
Anesthesia will be given during the procedure, but you should expect to feel sore for two to three days after surgery. You will be prescribed pain medication, and your surgeon may advise placing wrapped ice packs gently over sore areas to help with pain and swelling. If your pain lasts longer than a few days or becomes unbearable, contact your care team immediately.
How much does a breast reduction cost?
The total cost of a breast reduction varies by the type of procedure, the surgeon’s level or experience and where you have the surgery done. It can also include the cost of anesthesia, tests and prescription medications.
Can a breast reduction be covered by insurance?
Yes. Breast reductions are covered by many health insurance plans. However, your surgeon may need to authorize the procedure with your health insurance company in order to get coverage. We specialize in going the extra mile to help our patients obtain authorization for breast reduction surgery. If you wish to have your breast reduction covered by insurance you will need to gather and submit the required records in order to schedule an appointment.
How old do you have to be to get a breast reduction?
Breast reduction surgery should only be performed when the breasts are fully developed. After that, it can be performed on women of any age.
Should I lose weight before breast reduction?
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, tell your surgeon. Weight loss before or after breast reduction surgery can affect the resulting shape of the breast.
Can liposuction be used for breast reduction?
Yes. Some people may be good candidates for liposuction breast reduction. This procedure may offer a faster recovery time and fewer complications than traditional breast reduction surgery.
Do you recommend having a breast reduction before kids or a breast reduction after kids?
Breasts often undergo changes in size and shape during and after pregnancy, so it’s helpful to talk to your surgeon about the possibility of becoming pregnant after breast reduction surgery.
If you plan to become pregnant in the future, breast reduction surgery may limit your ability to breastfeed, particularly if a large amount of breast tissue is removed or if the milk ducts are affected by the surgery. These are good questions to discuss during your breast reduction consultation.
Can breast reduction cause breast cancer? Does a breast reduction decrease the risk of breast cancer?
Breast cancer risk varies from person to person, and breast reduction hasn't been shown to increase or decrease this risk. If you have any questions about your personal breast cancer risk, speak with your health care team.
What do I wear after breast reduction surgery?
Patients are commonly given a surgical bra to wear for two weeks after surgery, 24 hours a day. At your follow-up visit, your care team will let you know if you should continue to wear the surgical bra or if you can wear a similar support garment of your choice. They will also let you know when it is appropriate to wear a traditional bra. It is commonly advised to avoid underwire bras for three months after breast reduction surgery.
When can I wear a normal bra after breast reduction?
Wait for the swelling to completely subside. This can take up to three months. At that time, you can shop for new bras that fit your new breast size and shape.
Do men get breast reduction surgery?
What are the best questions to ask a breast reduction surgeon?
We welcome questions during any part of the process, but it's especially important to come to your breast reduction consultation with a list of questions, concerns or anything you'd like to learn more about. Here are some to get you started:
- What are your plastic surgeon’s credentials?
- At what locations can you perform the surgery?
- Is breast reduction right for me?
- How can it improve my quality of life?
- What surgical technique do you recommend?
- What are the risks involved with this procedure?
- What will recovery be like?
- What will my breasts look like over time?