What are the alternatives to breast reduction surgery


Is there an alternative to surgical breast reduction?

In some cases, liposuction alone can reduce excess fat in the breast, but it won’t reshape a breast that has become pendulous, nor will it improve the position of the nipple and areola, or improve the shape and size of an enlarged areola. Liposuction alone is more often appropriate in limited cases of reduction, that is, those cases that are more for aesthetic reasons (stemming from a desire to improve your appearance) than for reduction to improve your physical condition and quality of life. There really is no other means to reduce breast size than surgical reduction. Creams can only firm the texture or feel of the skin surface. They cannot tighten your breasts or melt, dissolve, or change the composition or amount of breast tissue.Weight loss can reduce breast size by reducing weight overall, but this may not necessarily affect the amount of excess glandular breast tissue you have. Physical exercises may strengthen and tighten the underlying pectoral muscles, or improve the strength and condition of your back and shoulders, but they will do nothing to reduce breast size or the excess weight of your breasts and resulting pressure on your neck, shoulders, and back. Minimizing bras may or may not be helpful, but may even contribute to your symptoms. Only surgical breast reduction can improve breast size and improve your physical symptoms and quality of life.

What are my rights regarding breast reduction coverage?

Unfortunately, at present there is no legislation that affords a woman the right to insurance coverage for breast reduction in certain cases, nor are there insurance industry standards. Most commonly, the standards for reimbursement or insurance coverage of breast reduction are defined by the insurer and are based on the volume of breast tissue to be removed and other criteria (such as height, weight, previous medical treatment for pain, etc.). Some insurers may deny coverage altogether. Debate and lobbying for a uniform standard among insurers for coverage of breast reduction has been an ongoing effort of the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons. However, the most appropriate standard would have to take into account the proportion of breast size to a woman’s body. Many insurers base their decisions for breast reduction coverage on the amount of tissue removed from each breast. The amount is arbitrary and does not take into consideration that smaller women may suffer immense physical symptoms from breasts that are not nearly as large as a more moderate woman. Standards based on the volume of reduction also don’t take into consideration the physical symptoms a woman is experiencing. The best approach you can take toward obtaining coverage for your breast reduction is to first:

Be persistent. If your breast reduction is something you seek personally to improve your body image, you need to bear the cost of that surgery. While the difference between these cases should be very clear to you, they are often not judged clearly by insurers. Therefore, be patient with the documentation your insurer requires, and be persistent about your right to improve your quality of life and your health. While insurance coverage for breast reduction is variable, there are women who, despite the lack or denial of coverage, proceed with the procedure and pay for it themselves. This is entirely your choice. You need to consider the value the procedure has to your overall health and quality of life.

How can breast reduction improve my life?

Greater mobility and a likely reduction of the pain experiences from having overly large breasts are the greatest benefits to your life. As a result, you can benefit from the ability to participate in and enjoy many more physical and fitness activities, which can only enhance your health even further. You will also find yourself less self-conscious of your body image, and likely will be much more confident of yourself. You won’t feel that others are staring at your breast size and you will enjoy the freedom to wear anything you wish. As part of the BRAVO breast reduction assessment study conducted by the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons, cases studies were conducted in which women described their experiences following breast reduction. These case studies represent an unbiased and direct perspective on quality-of-life improvements following breast reduction surgery.

Can breast reduction affect my breast health?

In addition to relieving the physical symptoms resulting from large breasts as well as boosting your self image and self-esteem, breast reduction may have additional, positive affects on your health. In a May 2004 study published by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, women who suffered from macromastia and who were without underlying factors that elevated their risk of developing breast cancer actually experienced a reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer overall, following breast reduction surgery. This was the first study of its kind. While these preliminary results are encouraging and certainly support that breast reduction can improve a woman’s health, it is not yet conclusive to say that breast reduction does, in fact, reduce a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer. Future research is needed to fully validate these outcomes. In addition, it has been reported that women who have had breast reduction are more confident in their monthly breast self-exams; as there is less tissue to evaluate, the changes in the breasts can be more readily recognized.

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