Both surgeries provide powerful approaches to help you attain your breast rejuvenation goals and make you feel better from neck/upper back discomfort. Both involve similar surgical concepts and even share some similarities with regards to scars.
Both surgeries involve moving the nipple areola complex to a more youthful and attractive position while attempting to maintain feeling. They also involve improving breast shape and improving any sagging that has occurred. In addition, they both can help address any volume asymmetries that are present.
The main difference between the two surgeries is the amount of breast tissue that is removed during the surgery.
Breast reduction historically has been considered a “functional or medically necessary” surgery that can sometimes be covered by insurance. While it serves an important purpose in improving nipple position and sagging, the primary goal is to remove a SIGNIFICANT amount of breast tissue to help improve upper back/neck discomfort. Very strict criteria must be met to be covered. This includes strict body weight requirements and breasts that are significantly out of proportion to the rest of the body. Over the last 5-10 years, insurance companies have made it increasingly difficult to get this surgery covered. However, this surgery has become one of the most popular in Plastic Surgery due to its very high overall patient satisfaction rate.
Breast lift historically has been considered purely cosmetic (not covered by insurance) in that its main goal is to simply improve the nipple position and sagging while MAINTAINING breast tissue and thus breast volume.
I have found that many patients have gone on to have breast reduction surgery even if insurance does not cover it because of how much it improves quality of life. Many patients tell me that their symptoms of discomfort are almost immediately relieved after surgery. Thus, patients feel the out of pocket expense of the breast reduction is completely worth it even if insurance does not cover the surgery.
Interestingly, even a significant number of breast lift (non insurance covered) patients tell me they feel better with regards to upper back/neck discomfort even though minimal or no breast tissue is removed during surgery. I believe this is because when lifting the nipple and breast the center of gravity change contributes to improvement in these symptoms.
In conclusion, both surgeries share many commonalities that patients love. They are two of the highest patient satisfaction surgeries in the field of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Lefkowitz will listen to your concerns and develop a treatment plan to better help you reach your goals.
