Health Benefits of Breast Reduction in Lubbock and Other Procedures

Plastic surgery procedures are as varied as the patients who request them. Some patients want to look younger, some want their pre-baby bodies back, and still others want to fix issues they’ve struggled with their entire lives. But plastic surgery can go beyond just lifting here or tucking there. A board-certified plastic surgeon with experience can give patients a greater measure of self-confidence in their physical appearance, help with greater range of movement, and remove insecurities associated with their bodies. Additionally, there are some physical health benefits associated with some plastic surgery procedures that may be good news for women seeking a breast reduction in Lubbock. In fact, the health benefits of a breast reduction are so well-recognized among doctors that insurance companies will often pay for the procedure. Consider some of the health benefits that are a result of this plastic surgery you may not know.

Why Breast Reduction?

“Disproportionately large breasts can cause both physical and emotional distress for patients. Patients with macromastia may experience physical discomfort resulting from the weight of their breasts. The resulting pain can make it challenging for some patients to perform common physical activities. Along with the physical ailments of macromastia, some patients may suffer from emotional distress or more significant mental health problems as a result of their large breasts.”

– The American Society of Plastic Surgeons

A woman with excess breast tissue can suffer from headaches, chronic neck and back pain, and painful bra strap marks in her shoulders. Some women even experience neurologic symptoms—including numbness and tingling in the hands and arms. A breast reduction in Lubbock can relieve these chronic discomforts as it reduces the heavy weight that triggers unpleasant symptoms. 

In addition to freeing women from chronic pain, breast reduction makes it easier to participate in exercise and other life activities that are otherwise too difficult to do with larger breasts. Going for a jog is a simple way for almost anyone to improve their physical health, but it can be much more challenging for women with large breasts. Even just the thought of their burdensome chest thudding along with each step is enough to keep these women from getting the exercise they need. Physical activity is paramount to a healthy lifestyle, and large breasts should not be the reason you miss out on moving your body the way you want to.

Although they may be the most obvious, the physical ramifications of very large breasts aren’t the only ones women experience. Emotional and mental stress are common among these women. When you walk into a room and you can feel the stares directed straight at the part of your body you feel most insecure about, it can be difficult to feel confident. It is not easy to conceal a big bosom, even in the most modest outfits. If you feel like you are constantly on display because of your breast size, a breast reduction in Lubbock could help free you from that unwanted attention. Watch the video below to learn more from Dr. Jane Rowley about breast reduction.

A Breast Reduction in Lubbock Might Be Covered by Your Insurance

Any surgical procedure will have a price tag associated with it, but the cost of a breast reduction may be covered by your insurance under the right circumstances. You have two major conditions at play when trying to get your reduction costs covered: your body and your insurance type. Not all breast reductions are the same, and some situations will merit coverage when others will not. And, again, not all Lubbock insurance coverage is the same, and not all doctors and procedures are covered by every plan. Here are some tips on where to begin when sorting out your breast reduction insurance coverage questions.

Start by Contacting Your Insurance Provider Directly. 

This will give you the opportunity to get general information about whether a breast reduction is potentially covered by your insurance plan. It will also give you the opportunity to ensure your board-certified plastic surgeon of choice is within your network of coverage.

Get an Evaluation from a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

You’ll most likely need an evaluation from a plastic surgeon to meet specific requirements established by your insurance provider to cover the breast reduction. Criteria may include:

• An estimate that at least 500 grams (half of a pound) will be removed from each breast
• Documentation of injury (like back pain) due to the large size of your breasts
• Documentation that the surgery is needed in order to correct the disabling symptoms
• Photographic documentation

Medical Necessity vs. Aesthetic Concerns 

Essentially, insurance companies are often looking for proof of the medical necessity of your breast reduction in Lubbock. They do not cover procedures that are purely cosmetic, which means you will need to supply the documentation they require to demonstrate how your surgery will benefit your health. This is not to say that the medical reasons are the only valid reasons for having the procedure. On this point, the the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has said, “Although breast reduction is often performed to address medical issues, patients who do not have the symptoms of macromastia [the medical term for excessively large breasts] but are unhappy with the size of their breasts can still pursue breast reduction as an aesthetic procedure. Patients choosing to undergo breast reduction surgery for cosmetic reasons may cite any number of factors, including social stigmas and wardrobe concerns.”

Many women desire breast reduction in Lubbock simply to balance their figure, feel more comfortable in their clothes, or to escape the unwelcome stares of strangers. These patients can certainly pursue breast reduction, but insurance will not cover the bill unless the surgery is deemed medically necessary. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as medical professionals, understands the difficulty women may experience in being unable to find appropriate clothing. Appropriate clothing would include effectively supportive bras, or tops that will be comfortable and attractive without gaping, pulling, or being too revealing. They also recognize that women with uncomfortably large breasts may be subject to unwanted attention or even ridicule that can be psychologically distressing. So, even if you don’t suffer from physical discomfort because of the size of your breasts, you can still seek out breast reduction.  

Patients can work with the staff at their plastic surgeon’s office to coordinate insurance billing. It’s likely the staff has experience working with a variety of insurance companies on coverage for breast reduction in Lubbock. If the procedure is deemed medically necessary after a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, insurance may cover all or part of the surgery and the hospital costs for your procedure and recovery care. Dr. Jane Rowley has seen many happy patients after their plastic surgeries, but she has said that patients who have a breast reduction are among her most satisfied patients.

Other Procedures

If you do determine you would like a breast reduction in Lubbock, now is the time to consider whether there are any other procedures you would like to have done during the same surgery to save cost and recovery time. Having multiple procedures at the same time is often referred to as a “mommy makeover,” but it is a choice for anyone who wants to address more than one area with plastic surgery. Patients can enhance their breasts, trim their tummies, or choose from other effective procedures to achieve their ideal outcome.   

Liposuction of Hips, Buttocks, or Thighs

 Women with overly large breasts can sometimes carry excess fat in other parts of their bodies as well. No matter how faithfully you attend the gym or how well you stick to your diet, some frustrating pockets of fat can persist. Liposuction can be added to your breast reduction to help you achieve the total body look you desire. Patients seek this procedure to remove stubborn fat around their hips, abdomen, or back and enhance the contours of their body. Fat cells are permanently removed as your plastic surgeon suctions them out through a small tube called a cannula. The recovery period is different for each patient, but most people are back to work within two to three days. Complete resolution of swelling and discomfort can take up to four to six weeks. 

Just like breast reduction in Lubbock, liposuction may have added health benefits. Studies have shown that removing fat cells lowers triglycerides and benefits your heart’s health. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but it can give you a sleeker silhouette by targeting specific areas of stubborn fat. The important element is to continue with a healthy diet and exercise program after liposuction to keep new fat cells from forming.

Tummy Tuck

If you have loose skin or a pooch on your stomach area, diet and exercise may not be enough to help you get rid of it. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure in which excess skin from the belly is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. It’s often performed to remove loose skin that remains after pregnancy (which also impacts abdominal muscles) or weight loss. After a tummy tuck, patients need to schedule some time for recovery. Most people can return to work two to three weeks after their surgery; however, a full return to normal activity will need to wait until four to six weeks after a tummy tuck.    

Similar to a breast reduction in Lubbock, this procedure is popular because it helps women get rid of stretched out skin and allows them to feel like themselves again after having children or losing drastic amounts of weight. According to RealSelf, patients rate a tummy tuck as 96 percent “worth it.” Moreover, RealSelf awarded abdominoplasty as a 2020 Most Worth It Honoree. In addition to giving patients a flatter tummy, the tightening of the abdominal muscles can improve posture and decrease back pain. Patients who suffer from a ventral hernia can also find relief through abdominoplasty. If you experience stress urinary incontinence (which is often caused by childbirth), a tummy tuck can resolve the pressure on your bladder. The surgery is not a method for weight loss, and a good candidate should be fairly close to their ideal weight. For more details and insight on abdominoplasty, watch Dr. Rowley’s video below.

Submental Liposuction 

We all want to look younger, but when we neglect the appearance of our chin and neck area, we miss a chance to really turn back the clock. Excess fat around the chin and jowls can make women look older or heavier than they actually are. Liposuction is an effective tool for targeting the fatty tissue in this region. A submental liposuction procedure is a relatively simple procedure that results in very dramatic changes in appearance by slimming down the area under the chin. It’s a very non-invasive procedure and even though only a small amount of fatty tissue is removed, the chin contour can look significantly better. Liposuction of the chin and neck region takes about 20 to 30 minutes and results in very minimal, if any, scarring. Much like a breast reduction in Lubbock, patients often appear as though they have lost weight after submental liposuction. The procedure corrects the laxity along the skin of the neck and jawline and can provide enough tightening so that the patient can avoid a facelift for several more years.

Plastic Surgery With a Woman’s Perspective 

Dr. Jane Rowley is the leading plastic surgeon in Lubbock and has over 20 years of surgical experience. She helps patients envision and achieve their cosmetic goals through thorough discussion of their options and expectations. As a woman and mother, she understands the concerns unique to women in a way other plastic surgeons may not. Dr. Rowley will discuss all of your options, whether you are interested in a breast reduction in Lubbock or any other procedure she offers. She will also take the time to answer your questions and create a plan tailored to your body and your needs. Call today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.