Unfortunately, bigger isn’t always better — especially when it comes to breast size. Many women choose to undergo breast reduction surgery to mitigate the issues associated with extra breast tissue, such as sagging, poor posture, chronic back pain, shoulder pain, skin irritation, etc.
Of course, there’s one primary concern regarding breast reduction surgeries, and that is the procedure cost. Several factors contribute to the cost of a this breast procedure, especially if you end up needing a breast lift to help form your new breast size.
The Breast Reduction Surgery Cost Breakdown
The average cost for a breast reduction is around $6,771, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, each surgery will vary based on a patient’s needs and aesthetic reasons for having the surgery. Therefore, no two breast reduction patients can expect to have the exact breast reduction surgery cost. As an example, the cost for a male gynecomastia surgery will differ from a female reduction.
The variables that will come into play for your breast reduction cost include:
Surgeon’s Fees
All plastic surgeons charge a surgeon’s fee for performing surgery as they’ve had to undergo extensive training, acquire a board certification, and continue to undergo surgical technique training to improve their skills. Many plastic surgeons also include a consultation fee as breast reduction surgery consultations can be time-consuming and don’t always end in a scheduled surgery.
Anesthesiologist’s Fees
Breast reduction surgery typically always includes general anesthesia as it’s considered an invasive cosmetic surgery. The anesthesiologist will normally have their own fees separate from the breast reduction surgery cost.
Surgical Facility Fees
Whether your board certified plastic surgeon works out of a hospital or runs their own cosmetic procedure clinic, you can expect to pay surgical facility fees on top of the surgery cost.
Facility fees typically cover the costs for the staff assisting during the cosmetic procedure, medical equipment, and so on.
The Type of Breast Reduction Procedure
There are two types of breast reduction procedures that work to relieve the physical discomfort caused by large breasts:
- Breast reduction surgery
- Liposuction breast reduction
Breast reduction surgery involves removing extra fat from the breasts and glandular tissue to reduce breast size. This is done through small incisions, which vary by pattern, such as an inverted T or keyhole pattern, depending on the size of the breast. The nipple may also need repositioning or grafting during the breast reduction surgery to ensure it fits the new breast size.
Liposuction breast reduction is less invasive but will only remove excess fat from the breast. This type of breast reduction surgery is typically associated with a breast lift procedure, as sagging can occur afterward, which ultimately adds to your breast surgery costs.
Medical Tests
Your surgeon will also want to run medical tests to ensure you’re a good candidate for breast reduction. Therefore, you can expect to have pathology lab tests done, which involve collecting breast tissue samples for analysis.
If the tests turn up something abnormal, you may have to wait to have the breast surgery to address potential issues. Once the issues are addressed, your surgeon may want to take additional breast tissue samples just to be sure, which will add to your breast reduction costs.
Additional Cosmetic Surgery
Depending on how much tissue and fat is removed from your breasts, you may require additional cosmetic procedures to address post-operative issues. For example, women with overly large breasts who undergo either type of breast reduction surgery often need a breast lift procedure with breast reduction to address sagging and excess skin causing an abnormal breast crease.
Additional procedures, especially a breast lift, will undoubtedly increase your breast reduction surgery costs.
Prescription Medications and Supplies
Breast reduction is considered a major surgery, which means most patients will experience significant discomfort after the surgery. Your surgeon will likely prescribe you the appropriate pain medication to help with the discomfort during your breast reduction recovery period.
You’ll also have to invest in other medical supplies, such as wound care supplies and anything that will contribute to your healing and comfort. For example, many patients choose to purchase silicone patches to address breast reduction scars.
Post-Surgery Garments
Post-surgery garments, such as a surgical bra, are essential to your recovery after breast reduction surgery. Surgical bras, also known as compression bras, promote blood circulation, which helps to reduce swelling and inflammation after surgery.
Many women also find that after-surgery hug pillows help alleviate discomfort while sitting upright.
Follow Up Appointments
Your surgeon will likely want to see you at least twice during your first month of recovery to remove drains and bandages and ensure the surgical area is healing correctly. This will also be when you discuss your pain level and next steps, such as physical therapy to regain strength in the upper body if necessary.
Covering Breast Reduction Surgery Costs
You can expect your breast reduction cost to be significant. Fortunately, there are several ways to pay for your breast reduction procedure.
Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage only extends to necessary procedures when it involves cosmetic reasons. For example, heavy breasts cause chronic pain, interfering with your ability to carry out daily activities.
If you can prove that this plastic surgery is a medical necessity, your health insurance provider will likely cover your breast reduction cost or at least a significant percentage of your breast reduction cost.
Medical Credit Cards
Where health insurance coverage fails, you may be eligible for a credit account with CareCredit, Alphaeon, or PatientFi.
Each credit company has different requirements for application approval, but it mostly comes down to your credit score and history.
These cards are excellent options for breast reductions as they don’t ask what you need the line of credit for, and they typically offer low-interest rates.
Special Financing Options
If you can’t get your breast reduction covered by health insurance providers or aren’t a good candidate for medical credit, most plastic surgeons offer special financing options to help you pay for plastic surgery.
Breast Reduction Surgery FAQs
How likely are insurance providers to cover my breast reduction cost?
If you can prove that it’s medically necessary to have your large breasts reduced, such as by a doctor’s examination and referral, there’s a good chance your insurance company will approve coverage for the plastic surgery cost. You have an increased chance than with other breast surgeries such as breast augmentation, which are generally purely cosmetic in nature.
Is a breast reduction worth the cost?
If you have pain in your back, neck, and shoulders due to large and heavy breasts, breast reduction surgery will be worth it. After breast reduction surgery, you’ll be able to increase your physical activity, and for many women, wear regular bras again instead of a sports bra.
What size breasts qualify for breast reduction surgery?
You don’t have to have excessively large breasts to qualify for breast reduction surgery. An experienced board certified plastic surgeon will typically recommend that patients have at least a C cup or larger breasts to be eligible for the plastic surgery.
Schedule an Initial Consultation Today
Are you considering reducing your breasts to address pain and discomfort or low self esteem due to larger breasts? If so, you’ll want to schedule a personal consultation with Raja Mohan, MD to see which specific procedure is right for you.
Contact our caring and professional staff today to schedule your consultation and ask any questions you may have about breast reductions.