Breast Reduction Surgery Lifts a Burden

While breast augmentation procedures which lift and enlarge are not covered by insurance because they are considered cosmetic, breast reduction surgery often is covered. As Chicago based plastic surgeon Dr. Otto Placik points out, excessively large breasts do not only cause emotional distress. It is common for women with very large breasts to endure back and neck pain, soreness where bra straps cut into their shoulders, and irritation of the skin under the breasts themselves. These ailments can, in turn, cause even more problems because of how they interfere with physical activity.

In breast reduction surgery, a surgeon reduces the size and reshapes the contour of large breasts by removing excess skin and tissue, and may also re-size and reposition the areola/nipple complex. Because of the freedom from disability and pain-relief this procedure offers to women suffering from excessively large breasts, it is usually covered. Dr. Placik recommends checking your policy and discussing it with your insurance carrier before your surgery, though, of course.