Key Q&A

Acupuncture Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Androgen Anxiety Disorders Asthma Atherosclerosis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Bacterial Vaginosis Biofeedback Bipolar Disorder Birth Control Pills Blood Donation and Transfusion Breast Augmentation and Reduction Breast Cancer Breastfeeding Breast Reconstruction Caregiving Cervical Cancer Chiropractic Chlamydia Cholesterol Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Clinical Trials Colon Cancer Contraception Depression Diabetes Dry Eye Syndrome Eating Disorders Endometriosis Epilepsy Estrogen Fibroids Fibromyalgia Fitness Flu/Colds Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Genetic Testing Genital Herpes Glaucoma Gonorrhea Health Insurance Heart Disease Hepatitis High Blood Pressure HIV/AIDS Homeopathy Human Papillomavirus Hypnosis Hysterectomy Incontinence Infertility Irritable Bowel Syndrome Legal Health Tools Liposuction Lung Cancer Lupus Macular Degeneration Medication Safety Menopause Menstrual Disorders Metabolic Syndrome Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Naturopathy Nonsurgical Aesthetic Procedures Nutrition Obesity Ocular Allergies Oral Health Osteoarthritis Osteopathic Medicine Osteoporosis Ovarian Cancer Overactive Bladder Pain Management Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pelvic Pain Peripheral Arterial Disease Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Pregnancy Premenstrual Syndrome Preparing for Surgery Progesterone Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Scleroderma Sexual Dysfunction Sinusitis Sjogren's Syndrome Skin Cancer Skin Health Sleep Disorders Smoking Stress Stroke Substance Abuse Tai Chi Teen Health Thyroid Disorders Trichomoniasis Urinary Tract Conditions Urinary Tract Infection Uterine Cancer Varicose Veins Violence Against Women Vulvodynia Weight Management Yeast Infections Yoga

1. What are the three major types of cosmetic breast surgery?

   • Breast augmentation, in which a silicone shell implant filled with either silicone gel or sterile saline solution is used to make the breast larger
   • Breast lift, or mastopexy, in which implants and/or surgery are used to remove the droopiness and sagging of the breasts
   • Breast reduction, in which fat and tissue are removed to make large, heavy breasts smaller

2. Will health insurance cover the costs of breast surgery?

   Health insurance only covers the cost of breast reconstructive surgery after mastectomy to prevent or treat breast cancer or to correct a deformity, or the cost of breast reduction if you can demonstrate health-related problems because of your large breasts. (Many factors determine your eligibility for coverage, including specific terms of your health care policy and the amount of breast tissue that will be removed.) Otherwise, you are responsible for all costs. Breast implant manufacturers and cosmetic surgeons may offer credit plans that allow you to pay for the procedure over time.

3. Who is the best candidate for breast surgery?

   A healthy woman who doesn't smoke and isn't overweight, and who understands the pros and cons of the procedure. All surgical procedures have risks—even in the hands of a very good surgeon. Additionally, you should have realistic expectations. Your breasts may not be perfectly even (or even perfect), there may be scarring, and additional surgeries may be required.

4. Can I still breastfeed after breast surgery?

   In most instances you can. However, if you're planning to have a child and want a breast lift, you should wait until after you've finished having children and breastfeeding, because pregnancy and nursing may make the breasts sag again much quicker than the passage of time alone. Also, breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed.

5. Will implants affect my mammograms in the future?

   While it is safe and recommended to have a mammogram with breast implants, you should ask your physician to direct you to a screening facility that offers a specialized technique that has been shown to improve the accuracy of mammograms in women with breast implants.