When Insurance Covers
Breast Reduction
Joseph Rucker, MD
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Rucker MD Plastic Surgery Clinic
Eau Claire
No matter the reason a woman decides to have plastic breast surgery, this decision may cause her stress: physically, emotionally, and financially. Her stress can be lessened if she is presented with the right information, such as the symptoms that hint toward surgery, how she may obtain insurance coverage, and what she can expect going through surgery. With these pieces of information, a woman can be comforted by knowing what to expect through her breast reduction.
When to Get a Breast Reduction
A woman inquiring about functional breast surgery has the best chance to have her surgery covered by insurance. This woman will have large breasts that have caused her discomfort.
Symptoms may include:
- Chest wall heaviness
- Neck strain
- Bra strap irritation
- Upper or lower back pain
- Poor posture
- Tingling or numbness of the fingers
These symptoms will make it difficult for a wotman to be active in sports, make her want to wear clothing that will conceal her size and will have worsening symptoms during child bearing years. Typically, these women begin as a D cup or higher and wish to be reduced to a C cup or smaller.
How to Obtain Insurance Coverage
For a woman to be covered under insurance, it is essential that her physician provide the following information to her insurance carrier:
- The estimate describing the amount of reduction
from the procedure (most patients will go from a
D or DD cup to a C cup).
- A detailed list of the symptoms present and
their duration.
- Any records of a non-successful conservative treatment period (physical therapy, anti-inflammatories for back problems, etc.)
- Documentation regarding her condition and
any attempts to reduce symptoms from her
primary care doctor.
Anticipating the Surgery
After a patient goes through surgery, she can expect the following, as part of the plastic breast surgery procedure:
- Overnight stay in the hospital.
- Pain level roughly between two and five on a scale
of one to ten.
- A return to work within around two to four weeks (dependent upon the patients type of employment).
- Partial or full return of nipple sensation and ability
to breast feed in 90% of patients.
- The breast shape lifted as well as reduced.
“During my 30 years as a plastic surgeon the
breast reduction procedure has been by far the most
appreciated by my patients. I attribute this to the fact that
they not only feel better with the reduction of symptoms,
but they also have an improved appearance. The most
frequent statement that we hear after the procedure is:
‘I should have done this years ago.’”
Dr. Rucker – Rucker MD Plastic Surgery Clinic
For information or to schedule an appointment:
715-833-2116 | 800-456-8222 | ruckermd.com
Dr. Rucker sees patients in Eau Claire and River Falls.
