Plastic surgery procedures are as varied as the patients who request them. But plastic surgery can go beyond just looking younger or trimmer. 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, while removing 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 often insurance will cover the procedure. Here are some health benefits that are a result of this plastic surgery you may not know.

Why Breast Reduction?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,

“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.”

A woman with excess breast tissue can experience headaches, chronic neck and back pain, and painful bra strap marks in her shoulders. A breast reduction can relieve these chronic discomforts as well as making it easier to participate in exercise and other life activities otherwise too difficult with to do with larger breasts.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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

Essentially, insurance companies are often looking for proof that the breast reduction is medically necessary and not just a cosmetic surgery for appearance purposes only. This is not to say that the medically necessary reasons are the only valid reasons for 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.”

That means that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as medical professionals, understand 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.

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 breast reduction coverage. 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. For a breast reduction in Lubbock, 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, now is the time to consider whether there are any other procedures that could be done in the same surgery to save cost and recovery time.  

Liposuction of Hips, Buttocks, or Thighs

Liposuction is a procedure in which stubborn fat around your hips, abdomen, and back is removed to give your body a better contoured shape. Fat cells are permanently removed. Studies have shown that removing fat cells lowers triglycerides and benefits your heart’s health. The important element is to continue with a healthy diet and exercise program after liposuction to keep new fat cells from forming.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure where excess skin from the belly is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. It’s often performed to remove loose skin after pregnancy (which also impacts abdominal muscles) or weight loss. The result is a trimmer looking body. But the tightening of the abdominal muscle can improve posture and muscle tone. A tummy tuck also can help reduce the effects of Stress Urinary Incontinence caused by childbirth.

Submental Liposuction

A submental liposuction procedure is actually 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 only a small amount of fatty tissue is removed, yet the chin contour looks significantly better, often appearing as though the patient has lost weight.  It corrects the laxity along the skin of the neck and jawline and can provide enough tightening that patient can avoid a facelift for several years.

Dr. Jane Rowley is a leading plastic surgeon in Lubbock and has over 20 years of surgical experience and can talk to you about your options to help you achieve your cosmetic goals. 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 it be 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.