BREAST REDUCTION: PAIN RELIEF AT ANY SIZE
It has long been know to plastic surgeons that reducing the size of large heavy breasts results in improvement in back, neck and shoulder pain. Unfortunately, health insurances often disagree and have historically placed an arbitrary amount of breast tissue that must be removed to be eligible for benefits. (greater than 1000 grams) This has resulted in many women being denied breast reduction surgery or having to pay out of their own pocket for this very beneficial surgery.
A recent study in the prestigious journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in September 2007 refutes this long-held standard that insurance companies have imposed on breast reduction surgery. In the New York City area, 59 patients who had breast reduction surgery of less than 1000 grams were studied for the outcomes of back, shoulder, and neck pain as well as rashes and shoulder grooving. In all cases, not only was pain reduced but improvements were seen in fitting of clothes and bras, participation in sports, and greater ease of running as well. This prospective study conclusively demonstrates that breast reduction totaling less than 1000 grams should be a fully reimbursable procedure by your health insurance company.
My experience with breast reduction surgery certainly supports what this new study has shown. I have never seen a patient after surgery, regardless of the amount of breast tissue removed during the operation, that did not notice an immediate improvement in the pain caused by their heavy breasts. Pain relief from breast reduction is as much due to the breast being placed higher up on the chest wall as it is to the weight removed in my opinion. This is why women, even right after the operation with surgical pain, can already feel the difference. Hopefully, insurance companies will now better recognize the benefits of breast reduction and decrease the number of women who are denied the benefits of what breast reduction can offer.
Dr Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana