Reduction mammoplasty, commonly referred to as breast reduction, is a procedure in which the breast are surgically reduced in size. Although breast reduction is normally performed on women, it is also performed on men as well. Gynecomastia, a condition of abnormal tissue growth, if the most common cause of breast reduction in men. In most cases, whether your breast are small or large; breast reduction is by choice, and determining your preferred size is up to you.
Gigantomastia
Gigantomastia, a condition that can occur in both male and female. It is characterized by excessive tissue growth in the breast. According to the Genetic and Rare Disease Center, "gigantomastia can occur naturally at puberty, during pregnancy or while taken certain medications." There is no cure for this disease; the only alternative is breast reduction surgery.
Insurance Considerations
While size plays no role in a person's ability to get a reduction mammoplasty, insurance may not always cover the procedure. In cases where this is no medical "need" for the reduction, it is unlikely that your insurance carrier will cover the cost of the operation. However, if you still want the procedure, you may opt to pay for this operation out of pocket. Again, this is where the "size" comes into play. If the reduction is based solely on "size" displeasure, you can opt for the surgery, but may have to cover the cost on your own account.
Medical Reasons
In many cases, breast reduction is selected by individuals who are having medical issues due to the excessive growth in breast tissue. Individuals who experience chronic neck, back and shoulder pain may elect to have the procedure in order to alleviate the stress in these areas. In cases where medical reasons are involved, it may be likely that your insurance provider will cover the cost involved in the operation.
Risk
As with any surgery, there are risk involved. According to the Mayo Clinic, "if you have not had children yet, and intend to; you may want to consider waiting until after childbirth to have a breast reduction." In some cases, the nipple or areola (brown area around the nipple) may need to be removed and replaced during the operation. In this event, a patient will most likely loose the sensation of the nipple and surrounding areola. Moreover, the Mayo Clinic "reports that breast feeding may no longer be an option for those who've had a breast reduction."
Considerations
According to the Mayo Clinic, "if you're considering breast reduction surgery, consult a plastic surgeon. " Take a list of questions and concerns with you. Moreover, it is important to find out the requirements of your insurance carrier before seeing a surgeon. This knowledge will better assist you and your physician in making the best decision for you.
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