A breast reduction consultation is the first and arguably one of the most important steps you can take toward achieving physical comfort and gaining confidence in your appearance. A breast reduction surgery consultation appointment allows you to meet your plastic surgeon and see if you’re a good fit personality-wise while gathering information about your procedure, addressing any concerns, and determining what options may be right for you.
What Happens During the Consultation?
During the consultation, you’ll meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will discuss your goals, evaluate your medical history, and perform a physical examination. This helps the surgeon determine whether your breast reduction would qualify as medically necessary and which surgical techniques are most suitable for you.
Components of a Breast Reduction Surgery Consultation | |
|---|---|
Component | What Happens |
Medical History Review | You will be asked about your overall health, any chronic conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease), and your history of breast-related issues such as pain, rashes, or difficulty exercising. They’ll also discuss any medications you’re taking and your smoking or alcohol use, as these can affect healing. |
Physical Examination | Your plastic surgeon will assess the size, shape, and symmetry of your breasts and the elasticity of your skin. |
Goals Discussion | You’ll have an opportunity to express your reasons for seeking a breast reduction. Whether you want relief from back pain or discomfort during exercise, or are dissatisfied with your appearance, this is your chance to share what you hope to achieve with your surgery. |
Treatment Planning | Your plastic surgeon will outline what they think is the best customized surgical approach and treatment plan for your unique anatomy and desired results, including how much breast tissue should be removed. |
Explanation of Procedure | The surgeon will outline how the surgery works, detailing incision types, tissue removal, and reshaping. They may also show you before-and-after photos of past patients to give you a realistic sense of expected outcomes. |
Questions and Answers | This is your time to ask about recovery timelines, risks, insurance coverage, and any other concerns you may have. |
The Value and Benefits of a Consultation
A consultation isn’t just an informational session — it’s your chance to build trust with your surgeon and ensure that your needs and expectations are clearly understood. The benefits of a thorough consultation include:
Personalized Care | Peace of Mind | Clarify Expectations |
|---|---|---|
No two patients are alike, and having a consultation allows your plastic surgeon to tailor your surgical plan specifically to your anatomy and goals. | Understanding the process in detail can help ease any anxiety you may have and give you confidence in the decision to get a breast reduction. | Your plastic surgeon will explain what results are achievable based on your current breast shape and skin elasticity and help you set realistic expectations. |
By the end of the consultation, you should have a solid understanding of:
- Whether you are a good candidate for breast reduction.
- The different surgical techniques available and which one suits your needs.
- Potential risks and complications associated with the procedure.
- What the recovery process looks like, including downtime and follow-up appointments.
- How your insurance might cover the procedure if deemed medically necessary.
What to Look for in your Plastic Surgeon
Choosing the right surgeon is the best thing you can do to ensure a successful experience and get the breast reduction outcomes you long for. During your consultation, you’ll want to evaluate the following traits.
What Makes an Excellent Breast Reduction Plastic Surgeon | |
|---|---|
Trait | What To Look For |
Qualifications | Ensure they are licensed and board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. |
Experience | Ask how many breast reduction surgeries they have performed and whether they specialize in this procedure. |
Communication | A good surgeon listens carefully to your concerns and explains things clearly. |
Reputation | Check their online reviews and ask for patient testimonials or references. |
Facility Accreditation | Confirm that your surgery will be performed in an accredited surgical center or hospital. |
By learning everything you can about your plastic surgeon’s skill, demeanor, and reputation, you can make an informed decision about if they will be a good fit to perform your surgery and meet with you for any post-surgical care and follow-up appointments you might need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reduction Surgery Consultation Appointments
The cost of a consultation varies by practice. Specialized plastic surgery practices will often consider the initial visit as a part of your insured benefits and will charge a specialist office co-pay for that consultation Some surgeons offer free consultations as part of their patient outreach, while others charge a fee, typically ranging from $100 to $300. Often, this fee is applied toward the cost of surgery if you decide to move forward with the surgeon.
The time frame between your consultation and surgery depends on several factors, including:
- Insurance Approvals: If your procedure is covered by insurance, preauthorization can take weeks to months.
- Surgeon’s Schedule: Popular surgeons may have wait times of several months for available surgery dates.
- Your Readiness: Some patients need time to adjust their schedules or prepare physically (e.g., to quit smoking or lose weight).
On average, most patients have surgery scheduled 4–12 weeks after their consultation.
Prepare a list of questions to make the most of your consultation. Some important questions to consider include:
- Am I a good candidate for breast reduction surgery?
- What surgical techniques do you recommend for me, and why?
- What are the risks and potential complications?
- How long will the recovery process take, and what support will I need?
- Will my surgery be covered by insurance, and how do I navigate the claims process?
- Do you have before-and-after photos of patients with similar cases?
- Are there non-surgical alternatives to address my concerns?
Yes, breast reduction surgery typically involves scarring, but surgeons use techniques to minimize visibility. Scars usually fade over time.
Your surgeon will work with you to determine a size that balances your aesthetic preferences and your physical needs.
Harris Plastic Surgery - Your Breast Reconstruction Experts
If you are interested in a breast reduction surgery consultation, you can schedule your appointment today. Or contact us online or by phone/text if you have any additional questions for our team.
Stephen U. Harris, MD FACS
Dr. Stephen U. Harris is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and recognized expert in breast reduction and reconstruction surgeries, having performed thousands in his career. When it comes to patient care, his philosophy is that every surgery should improve his patient’s overall quality of life, not just their appearance. Dr. Harris stays up-to-date on all the latest advancements in breast augmentation, reconstruction, and reduction and is a recognized innovator in the field. In fact, he was the first surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital to offer primary prepectoral implant breast reconstruction, as well as secondary prepectoral revision surgery.
Dr. Harris also serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York and is an active staff surgeon (and former Chief of Plastic Surgery) at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, New York.
