Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammaplasty, is a life changing procedure for women whose breasts are too large and heavy for their frames, whose breasts are uneven in size, and for those whose breasts sag or droop due to age or breastfeeding. In addition to improving self-esteem and improving physical activity, many women seek breast reduction surgery to get relief from neck, shoulder and back pain.

The Mayo Clinic advises women considering breast reduction surgery to discuss all facets of the surgery with several board certified plastic surgeons. The surgeons will assess their candidacy for surgery and determine whether reduction mammaplasty is appropriate for them. Women should ask questions regarding the procedure and post-operative care to establish appropriate expectations.

In fact, obtaining this information prior to the appointment will allow a patient to form more specific questions about the breast reduction. A frank discussion with the surgeon should alleviate fears and provide the patient with a realistic expectation of the outcome. She and her physician will decide together the most beneficial amount of reduction and the best time for her to have it performed.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery warns women of child bearing age that mammaplasty may hinder their ability to breast feed. They further warn that pregnancy, childbirth, and breast feeding, if the woman is able to do so after breast reduction surgery, could change the shape of her breasts. They stress discussing future pregnancies with the performing physician.

Reduction mammaplasty is performed under general anesthesia in a surgical facility and may require an overnight stay. If the patient is released the day of the surgery, she must have a ride home and should have a caregiver for at least the first night she is home. Driving is usually prohibited for six weeks.

Recognizing the disabling effects of larger breasts, many insurance policies cover at least a portion of the cost. A diagnosis of female breast hypertrophy with its attendant consequences and disabilities or reconstructive breast surgery which results in breast reduction is usually compensable. Breast reduction for strictly cosmetic reasons is seldom covered.

There are many variables in surgical technique including how the incisions are placed and the maximum amount of reduction advised, so a prospective patient might consult more than one plastic surgeon before making her final decision. Each consultation will be educational and help the woman decide whether or not this procedure will benefit her.

Benefits of reduction mammaplasty range from relief of physical pain formerly associated with the strain and weight of the breasts to finally getting a full night’s rest. The ability to buy lacy or pretty bras for the first time in years delights most patients. Shopping for bras and tops in a regular store instead of by catalog or at larger sized stores makes shopping fun again for most.

A world of activities opens up to women after breast reduction surgery. Some play tennis or racquetball for the first time. Others join a bowling league or gym, no longer embarrassed or hampered by their super-sized breasts. For all, the absence of those extra pounds of breast flesh seems to be a huge relief.

Pediatric corrective surgery is a great option for parents whose children are afflicted with deformities caused by injuries, diseases or birth defects, but there are a number of things to know before surgery begins.

Many congenital disorders are not hereditary or genetic, and it seems most deformities occur in families who have no previous history of these disorders. Therefore, it is important to seek advice from a dysmorphologist: someone who specializes in congenital malformations, particularly those affecting the anatomy.

When looking for a skilled pediatric plastic surgeon, one should try to find a surgeon who has the following training, expertise, certificates and is able to provide these services:

• A Certificate from the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Be a surgeon who treats children from birth to young adulthood
• At least 50% of his or her time is dedicated to the pediatric care of children
• The core of his or her medical practice is providing pediatric care
• Attended medical school for at least four years
• Three years of general surgery residency training or has completed a training program in general surgery/oral surgery residency, orthopedic surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and/or otolaryngology
• Three years practice and training in the field of plastic surgery
• Experience and training in pediatric plastic surgery

Cosmetic surgery on a child who is deformed or injured will require a specialized surgeon.  This type of surgery can make a great and positive difference in the life of a parent as well as the child.

Locating a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon?

Most of them practice in medical centers and hospitals for children. The child’s pediatrician may be able to provide a couple of recommendations, and it is always beneficial for parents to inquire with other parents through support groups and social networking sites.

Parents should not feel awkward about requesting the doctor’s credentials and references.  Doctors are required to make this information available.  Besides, ensuring doctors are qualified is simple, good common sense.

Additionally, parents are advocates for their children.  Parents need to find a surgeon they trust and with whom they can communicate.  Eliminating disparity and confusion is imperative for creating a positive experience for parents and children alike.

Children cannot always express what is bothering them and are not always capable of answering medical questions. Sometimes they simply lack the vocabulary, but often they are simply too young.  An experienced pediatric plastic surgeon can have reasonable success with communicating with young patients and will likely earn their trust and affection, making the experience far less traumatic.

Here are a few types of ailments a pediatric plastic surgeon can treat with pediatric corrective surgery:

1. Face and Skull Birth Defects such as a cleft lip, cleft palate, and skull deformity
2. Ear Birth Defects such as missing ear and protruding ear
3. Chest and Limb Birth Defects such as webbed fingers and misshapen breasts
4. Injuries on face, head, legs, arms and hands
5. Scars and birthmarks
6. Various types of burns
7. Cosmetic surgery performed on a child for self-image improvement

By taking the time to research doctors and the specific needs of their children, parents and patients can have a much brighter future with pediatric corrective surgery.

Plastic surgery has a reputation of being an expensive undertaking that’s only for the rich and famous. While it can be expensive, plastic surgery doesn’t have to be out of reach just because you’re on a budget. There are several routes available to just about anyone who would like to enhance their appearance via plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery can be aesthetic or cosmetic with procedures designed to improve the appearance of a feature that is disfigured or that is just not as attractive as you’d like. The reconstructive type is just like it sounds, reconstructing just about any part of the body that is seriously damaged in an accident or fire.

If you have health insurance, reconstructive surgical procedures may be covered at some level. Aesthetic plastic surgery, on the other hand, is considered elective surgery, or not medically necessary. Since the surgery is not necessary for the health of the patient, a health insurance policy will not cover the costs.

There are a number of variables that impact the cost of cosmetic surgery, including which state the surgery is performed in, the complexity of the procedure or how much work is needed, and of course the surgeon’s fee schedule. These variables are why you can’t just pick a procedure off a menu and know exactly what it will cost you.

The first step is to make an appointment with a reputable plastic surgeon who can talk to you about what you’re trying to accomplish. A physical examination is also required to determine what exactly needs to be done to accomplish your goal. Once you have a quote, you should seriously consider seeing at least one other surgeon to get another opinion and cost estimate. By shopping around, you’ll likely save yourself some of the overall expense. When you have an estimate or two, you can make a decision about which surgeon you feel most comfortable with from both a cost and an ability perspective.

With a number in mind, it’s now time to determine how to finance the procedure. The least costly method is to pay for the entire expense out of pocket, whether you already have the money in your savings account, or if you need to start saving. If you choose to save for the cosmetic surgery, the best place to start is with a well-thought-out budget. A budget will help ensure that you spend money based on a plan so you can save the excess before spending it on any variety of unplanned expenses.

If, however, you can’t wait to have the procedure done, you can look into financing the procedure. There is actually a loan product available that is meant to finance plastic surgery. This loan differs from an auto or home loan because it is an unsecured personal loan, which means that there is no collateral than can be repossessed in the event you default on the loan. Qualifying for an unsecured personal loan requires an excellent credit record so that the loan officer or underwriter at the bank or other financial institution has a high level of confidence that the loan will be repaid in full and on time.