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How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)

How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)

How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)
Q: I am 20 years old and I am a J cup. I have the WORST pain in my back, neck, and shoulders. I desperately need a reduction however I would need for my insurance to cover it. How do I begin? I have an appt with my new PCP but that’s not until Nov. 4th. Do I HAVE to go to a PCP and have them refer me to a plastic surgeon ? Or can I start by going directly to the plastic surgeon myself? And which doctor is the one that should write my insurance company? Any and all info is welcomed and appreciated.
A: I’m sorry to hear that your large breasts have been causing you physical discomfort. Your first step should be to contact your health insurance company about their coverage for breast reduction surgery. Each insurance company is different and has its own specific requirements. They can also tell you whether or not a referral is necessary and which plastic surgeons in your area are covered under your plan. It is a good idea to meet with your PCP. Most insurance plans require it. Your primary care physician will document your symptoms and check for physical findings like shoulder grooves and/or skin infections under your breasts. They can also examine your breasts and make sure there is no underlying medical problem leading to your overly large breasts. Most insurance companies require you to try non-surgical measures like physical therapy and non-steroid pain medications before they will consider covering plastic surgery and your PCP can help with that. Your PCP can also make sure that you are a good surgical candidate. Assuming you are still having discomfort after trying the conservative therapy, your plastic surgeon would submit the insurance pre-authorization letter. Best of luck to you!

How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)

Can U Get Breast Implants by Having Medicaid or Insurance?

Can U Get Breast Implants by Having Medicaid or Insurance?
Q: Can U get breast implants by having Medicaid or Insurance?
A: Cosmetic breast augmentation is not medically necessary and is not covered by insurance. Reconstructive breast surgery – including the use of implants- can be covered by health insurance including medicaid. This is most commonly seen in breast reconstruction after breast cancer.

How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)

Whats the Difference Between the Saline and Silicone Implants in the Breast? Also Which Are More of the Natural Kind?

Whats the Difference Between the Saline and Silicone Implants in the Breast? Also Which Are More of the Natural Kind?
A: Whats the difference between the saline and silicone implants in the breast? Also which are more of the natural kind?
Q: Saline breast implants are constructed of a silicone shell filled with sterile salt water. Silicone implants are composed of a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel. Silicone implants feel more like natural breast tissue. Choosing silicone or saline is based on personal preference. Saline implants are less expensive than silicone. In general silicone is better if you have little natural breast tissue. The more breast tissue you already have, the less you probably need a silicone implant. Implant manufacturers make the silicone in a thick,viscous form – sort of like a gummy bear- to decrease leaks. This can make implant rupture more difficult to detect so MRIs are recommended every 2-3 years. If you are seeking a very natural result, you can also consider fat transfer to the breasts. This procedure uses liposuction to take fat from areas of the body where it is not wanted and grafts this fat to the breasts producing a very natural looking and feeling result. This is appropriate for moderate increases in size.

How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)

What are the options for tuberous breast correction?

What are the options for tuberous breast correction?
What are the options for surgery? What kind of breast lifts? Implants and placement? What is the best possible results I can hope for? Is fat transfer a viable option? Are there any charities to help me pay? Are there specialist? What about the internal bra?
There are many options to consider when correcting tuberous breasts. I customize my surgical plan for each patient depending on her circumstances and desires. Without seeing you, it is almost impossible to advise you. In general, my goals are to correct the tuberosity and improve symmetry. The tuberous breast has a narrow base that often needs to be widened. Most women also need a lift on that side with resizing of the areola. In general, the tuberous breast deformity causes a lot of breast asymmetry and I commonly need to perform surgery on the unaffected breast to give more symmetry. Whether this breast needs a reduction or a lift depends on your preferences. Placing one or two implants or performing fat grafting to one or both breasts may also be an option. Correction of tuberous breasts is often best done with a staged approach (not all at once with one surgery), but, again, I can’t tell for sure without being able to see you. The tuberous breast deformity is considered a congenital anomaly and, as such, is sometimes covered by your health insurance – check with your insurance provider to see if this is an option for you.

How Do I Begin The Breast Reduction Process? (With Wanting Insurance to Cover the Procedure)

Breast lift w/o augmentation?

Breast lift w/o augmentation?

Q: I’m a 32C. I wanted to get an idea of what options are available to me w/regards to a lift with or w/o implants & if I can get just get a lift, what type of incision. Considering I am of African american descent, I am concerned w/hyperpigmentation of the vertical scar. I want perkier breast w/a little more fullness. I am happy w/the size of my current breast. Also, I have not had children yet but plan to within the next few yrs. My breast have sagged as a result of drastic weight loss. Thanks!

A: Congratulations on your weight loss! There are a lot of issues here to address. Let’s start with scarring. It is tough to predict how you will heal. Certainly hyperpigmentation, scar hypertrophy and keloiding are more common in African Americans than in Caucasians, but there is no way to tell for sure if none, some or all of those conditions would affect you after surgery. I frequently perform cosmetic surgery on African Americans and I often use prescription silicone-based scar lightening agents after surgery. I also keep my incisions as small as possible and try to place them in less noticeable spots.

You mention that you are happy with your breast size, but would like more fullness and perkier breasts. A breast lift would address the perkiness, but not the fullness. In order to take care of both, you could consider having a breast lift along with a small implant or fat grafting to your breasts.

Thank you for sharing your intent to start a family in the next few years. While that certainly doesn’t rule you out as a candidate for breast surgery, you should keep two things in mind: first, breast surgery could possibly affect your ability to breastfeed your babies – especially since you are likely a candidate for a crescent, or periareolar, lift. Any time we make an incision around the areola, we risk injuring the milk ducts. Secondly, pregnancy may lead to sagging similar to what you see now. Many women find that their breast size increases during pregnancy (sometimes dramatically), only to decrease again after birth or after you finish nursing. This can lead to sagging. If you have a breast lift before pregnancy, you may find you need another one when your family is complete.