Breast Reductions – for Women, Too
A Better Size
You may already know me through this blog as a plastic surgery specialist who removes large male breasts through gynecomastia surgery.
But I also reduce the size of extremely large female breasts – and watch as the patients soon enjoy the medical benefits of the procedure.
It’s also a pleasure to know that, more times than not, health insurance will kick in and cover most of the procedure.
You must be wondering, though. Why cover it for women but not for men?
The list of health woes for a woman whose extremely heavy breasts may hang down to her belly button is pretty long, including:
- Back troubles
- Neck pain
- Shoulder discomfort
- Frequent infections of the skin beneath the breasts
- Breast pain
Insurance companies usually cover the procedure because eve they realize they will not have to expend funds to treat all those aches and pains in the future. Untreated, the condition can even lead to skeletal deformities.
However, the procedure for getting approval has become ever more demanding. (Read more about obtaining breast reduction coverage.)
Insurance coverage for a man or teen is much more difficult because the damage caused by overly large breasts is “only” psychological, and not physical. For a male, the procedure is usually considered cosmetic surgery.
Many times, a woman candidate for the procedure shows up in my office asking about breast reduction surgery and I immediately see that the weight of her bra straps has created notches in her shoulder blades. Surgery creates breasts that are smaller, lighter, firmer, balanced and lifted.
Many such women have tried losing weight, thinking the breasts will slim down, too. Sometimes, they also try physical therapy and seek treatment for their various pains.
But the only real, lasting solution is surgery to reduce the size and weight of the breasts. Between the lines, I see many patients who enjoy moving their breasts from resting on their stomachs to a position higher up on their chests where most womens’ breasts sit.
It makes daily life easier, too. With very large, or especially in gigantomastia cases, teen girls suffer extremely cruel remarks and behaviors from men and boys. After surgery, clothes fit better and exercise no longer causes breasts to flap around.
The trade-off for female breast reduction is long scars on the breast.
Of course, like all scars, they lighten and fade over time and are hidden by bras, swim wear and most tops.