Reducing the size of your breasts can have an enormously positive impact on your life. This is why a breast reduction consistently earns some of the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any aesthetic procedure. Overly large breasts may have an adverse effect on both your body proportion and your emotional well-being. Breast reduction boston patients have often been living with their big breasts for years, sometimes even since puberty. These patients will tell me how self-conscious they feel both in and out of clothes, and how this decrease in confidence affects every aspect of their lives. By restoring proper proportion and shape to the breasts, I am able to improve the appearance of your entire torso, making you look lighter overall. This, in turn, will make you feel more vital, self-confident and comfortable in your skin! While some insurance companies do cover the cost of a breast reduction if you meet certain criteria, I do not participate in any insurance programs. However, I do take cost seriously. Here is a breakdown of the factors that will affect the expense of your breast reduction so that you can make an informed decision.
Cost of a Breast Reduction
The cost of a breast reduction for my Boston area patients ranges anywhere from $15,000 – $17,000 depending on what, exactly, we decide to do. This does include hospital and/or surgery center fees, but does include any additional procedures that may be recommended. When you come in for your initial consultation, I will spend considerable time listening to what bothers you about your body contour. I will also perform a thorough physical exam to assess your:
- Skin tone
- Areas of excess fat
- Nipple position in relation to the inframammary fold
- Extent and location of excess breast tissue
Your individual anatomy and goals will dictate the parameters of your surgery.
Ideal Candidate for a Breast Reduction
As mentioned, many potential breast reduction patients were genetically gifted with overly large breasts. However, for others, the change in the size and shape of their breasts may be due to:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Weight gain/loss
- Menopause
All of these things can have a negative impact on your breasts as they stretch the skin and tissues, often past the point where they can “bounce back”. The end result is a nipple that rests at or below your inframammary fold, which is the crease beneath your breasts. When I see this in combination with excess fat, I am typically going to recommend a breast reduction.
Breast Implant and/or Fat Affects Breast Reduction Expense
I know it may sound counterintuitive, but some patients might need a breast implant and/or fat grafting in addition to their breast reduction. This is because the ultimate purpose of surgery is to create the ideal breast shape for your body. When I look at you, I am assessing how your breasts interact with your entire torso. No one part exists in isolation. So, while we may need to reduce the overall size of your breasts, we may also need to add back volume in certain areas such as the upper pole. Fat grafting with or without a small implant is excellent for achieving that fullness is the top third of your breast. It can also help to restore symmetry as no two breasts are exactly the same size. There is an additional fee for a breast implant and/or fat grafting. I pride myself on being extremely honest and upfront with my patients. This is why I will walk you through exactly what I think needs to be done to deliver on your goals as well as the cost breakdown for your procedure.
Cost of Time
The other cost that must always be considered when it comes to a beast reduction is the cost of your time. The downside of any surgical procedure is that it will require time for recovery. And trust me, you do not want to rush your recovery as it can adversely affect the fabulous results that you just spent money to achieve. In general, you will need to lay low for the first two weeks. This means no:
- Driving
- Heavy lifting
- Reaching
- Exercise
Depending on your lifestyle, you may need to hire additional childcare, spend money on grocery deliveries, and take time off work if it’s not something that you can do from the comfort of your bed or couch. Most patients describe their breast reduction recovery as more uncomfortable than painful, but you will be swollen, bruised and not feeling a 100%. So, it’s important to plan accordingly. Generally, I release patients to normal activities and light cardio after 2 weeks, more aggressive workouts after 3 weeks, and upper body work after 4 – 6 weeks.
To find out more about a breast reduction, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450.0070 to schedule a consultation.