Choosing the right surgeon for a breast reduction is just as important as your decision to have the surgery itself. The right doctor can make all the difference – helping you achieve natural-looking results, minimizing your risks, and ensuring your smooth recovery. But with so many plastic surgeons to choose from, how do you know who to trust?
Whether you’re looking for an insurance-covered procedure or a cosmetic enhancement, the process of finding the best breast reduction surgeon who meets your unique needs is pretty straightforward. We’ll tell you how to get started.
How To Find the Best Breast Reduction Surgeon for Your Procedure
Finding the best breast reduction surgeon means that you’ll need to conduct your own careful research and make appointments for in-person consultations. You can start by making sure they’re all board-certified. Any plastic surgeon you’re considering should be qualified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which guarantees they maintain continuing education requirements and meet high standards.
Experience matters, especially when it comes to safeguarding your comfort and safety. Look for a specialist with a strong track record in breast reduction procedures similar to what you’re considering.
Ask specialists if you can review their before-and-after photos if they’re not already available online. This can help you gauge their aesthetic approach, while patient testimonials offer insights into their results, surgical skills, bedside manner, and office staff responsiveness.
Once you’ve narrowed down the choices, schedule in-person consultations with your top contenders to compare their techniques and recommendations. Ask about their preferred surgical approaches, complication rates, and hospital privileges.
If you need insurance coverage, ask the plastic surgeon if they have experience navigating the approval process. Also, consider the additional costs, like cost sharing if you’re using your out-of-network benefits, or anesthesia and OR fees, if you’ll be paying out of pocket.
Most importantly, choose a surgeon who listens to your concerns and makes you feel comfortable and confident in their expertise. Make sure they are a good fit for you, in terms of personality and communication style. You’re trusting them with your self-image and health, so it’s important to find someone you can be honest and open with.
Choosing a Breast Reduction Surgeon:
-
Verify board certification
-
Look for experience
-
Review before-and-after photos
-
Read patient reviews
-
Schedule consultations
-
Confirm hospital privileges
-
Ask about costs and insurance coverage
-
Ensure good communication and patient care
Explore Different Breast Reduction Techniques
There are two different breast reduction techniques, each with pros and cons. Your surgeon will have recommendations, but it’s important to be informed.
Vertical, or “lollipop” |
Traditional, or “anchor” |
|---|---|
|
The vertical, or lollipop, breast reduction technique involves incisions made around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease, creating a shape resembling a lollipop. Pros:
Cons:
|
The traditional, or anchor, breast reduction technique involves three incisions: around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease, resembling an anchor shape. Pros:
Cons:
|
As you start your search for the best breast reduction surgeon, step back to evaluate your goals for surgery as well as the pros and cons of the above procedures. Understanding what type of breast reduction you’re looking for – and why – will help you find the plastic surgeon who’s best suited to your needs.
Search for Providers With Expertise
You can start by making a list of plastic surgeons in your area who perform breast reduction surgery and then narrow it down based on their expertise, resources, and results. For example, if you need a traditional (anchor) breast reduction surgery, you’ll want to search for a surgeon who has extensive experience in that technique.
Plastic surgeons typically list their areas of specialty on their websites. Some breast reduction surgeons offer both types of surgeries, while others prefer to handle less complex vertical cases. Take some time to review their websites, before-and-after pictures, and services to see where their strengths lie.
Look for an Office With an Insurance Coordinator
The title may differ depending on where you go, but the job duties of an Insurance Coordinator are the same. This person works directly with your insurance company, negotiating and gaining pre-authorization to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. They essentially become your representative with the insurance company, helping you get the treatment you need.
Schedule a Consultation
The only real way to know if a breast reduction surgeon is right for you is to schedule a consultation that allows you to vet the bedside manner of that particular plastic surgeon. They should listen to your concerns with compassion, review your goals and medical history, and discuss surgical options with you.
Some offices even use advanced technology to show you what you can expect results to look like after surgery. During this consultation, you should get a detailed surgical plan that you can take to your insurance coordinator, who will help guide you through the process.
That’s how to find the best breast reduction surgeon for your procedure. You can do your due diligence online, but that will only take you so far. Getting into the surgeon’s office will help you determine: (1) if surgery is right for you, and (2) if they’re the right person to complete it. You’ll also be able to get a good idea of what your expected out-of-pocket expenses will be to avoid any financial surprises later on.
Bringing Patient Advocacy to Breast Reduction and Reconstruction
If you’ve been wondering how to find the best breast reduction surgeon, look no further! Harris Plastic Surgery is one of the best breast reduction surgeons for patients needing medically necessary reduction mammoplasty. To learn more, contact us for a consultation.
Joanne Parrinello, Practice Manager
Joanne Parrinello is an expert patient care coordinator, with two decades of experience navigating the complex financial side of medically necessary breast reduction and reconstruction surgery. She acts as a guide to patients, helping them understand their options and their expected out-of-pocket expense. The insurance industry can be complex and filled with jargon that makes you feel like you need a translator. At Harris Plastic Surgery, Joanne is that translator.
