Breast Reduction & Lift in New York City

Often, yes. When breast size causes physical symptoms, insurers usually consider breast reduction reconstructive rather than cosmetic. Coverage depends on your plan and its medical criteria. At our Central Park South practice in Manhattan, our team checks your benefits, prepares your documentation, and submits your preauthorization. More than 95% of the insurance requests we submit are approved.

Yes. We verify your breast reduction benefits at no cost and with no obligation, before you book a consultation. Call (212) 440-1700 or text (855) 492-1800 to start. Verification confirms your benefits. It is not a guarantee of coverage or payment, which your insurer decides after reviewing your documentation.

Patients with these plans have had breast reduction covered: UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and EmblemHealth. If your plan is not listed, we can still check your benefits for you.

Insurers look for documented symptoms caused by breast size, such as back, neck, and shoulder pain, headaches, bra strap grooving, or rashes under the breast. Many also consider your height, weight, the amount of tissue to be removed, and treatment you have already tried. Requirements vary by plan, and our team checks yours before we submit.

A chart some insurers use to estimate the minimum amount of tissue to be removed, based on your height and weight. Not every insurer uses it, and your symptoms matter as well. You can estimate your number with our calculator before your consultation.

Use the Schnur Scale Calculator →

Often, yes. Insurers generally judge tissue removal relative to body size, and research shows that smaller reductions can relieve significant pain in smaller frames. Our team checks your plan's criteria so you know where you stand before surgery is scheduled.

Some plans ask for a history of conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, supportive bras, or pain medication, for a set period before surgery. Other plans do not. We check your plan's criteria and tell you what, if anything, it requires before we submit.

Your consultation notes, clinical photographs, records of your symptoms and any treatment you have tried, and a letter of medical necessity from Dr. Kiwanuka. Notes from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor can help. Our team gathers everything and submits your preauthorization.

We review the reason for the denial and, when appropriate, send more documentation or file an appeal. If coverage is not possible, self pay options and financing are available, and you receive a Good Faith Estimate before surgery.

Consultations are complimentary for insurance patients. Dr. Kiwanuka examines you, listens to your goals, and plans your reduction, and our team uses the visit to prepare your insurance documentation.

Dr. Kiwanuka typically uses a Wise pattern with a superomedial pedicle and is well versed in all incision patterns. Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed, the remaining breast is reshaped and lifted, and the nipple moves to a position that suits your frame. Surgery takes two to three hours under general anesthesia, and you go home the same day.

It is planned around your anatomy, your symptoms, your plan's criteria, and your goals, so the breast that remains is in proportion to your frame. The cases in our gallery range from 350 to 1,200 grams removed per breast.

Size is planned with you at your consultation, around your frame, your symptoms, and the shape you want. Many patients choose a size that looks in proportion rather than a specific cup letter, since cup sizes vary between bra brands.

Yes. Every breast reduction repositions the nipple and reshapes the breast, so a lift is part of the operation. The tissue that stays is reshaped and supported, not only made smaller.

Yes. Dr. Kiwanuka performs breast reduction without surgical drains, an approach supported by guidelines from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. You go home without tubes to empty and without drain removal visits.

Most patients do not. With a superomedial pedicle, the nipple stays attached to its blood supply. A graft is reserved for very large reductions or specific health factors, and Dr. Kiwanuka will tell you at your consultation if it applies to you.

As with any surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, changes in nipple sensation, differences between the two sides, and visible scarring. Your health history is reviewed before surgery, and Dr. Kiwanuka goes through the benefits and tradeoffs with you at your consultation.

Yes, though it helps to be near a stable weight. Large changes in weight after surgery can change breast size and shape. If you are planning significant weight loss, Dr. Kiwanuka can help you decide on timing.

Yes, if breast size changes later, for example after weight gain or pregnancy. The second operation is planned around the first.

Recovery is drain free, and pain is managed without routine opioids as part of our holistic plastic surgery approach. Most patients walk the same day, return to desk work in about a week, and resume most activities by week six. Garments, scar care, and follow up visits are included.

Most patients return to desk or remote work after about one week. Jobs in healthcare or with a long commute usually resume at about two weeks, and physically active jobs at about three weeks.

Usually at five to seven days, once you no longer need medication that causes drowsiness and can turn and brake without hesitation.

On your back for the first weeks, with your upper body slightly raised if that is comfortable. Side sleeping as comfort allows from about week four, and stomach sleeping after week eight.

Walking starts on the first day. Light exercise returns between weeks four and eight, most restrictions lift at week six, and running and upper body training come back gradually with a supportive sports bra.

Some patients can breastfeed after a reduction, though it cannot be guaranteed. Tell Dr. Kiwanuka if it matters to you so it can shape your surgical plan.

Yes, breast reduction leaves scars around the areola, down the center of the breast, and along the fold beneath it. Their quality is a central focus here. Every incision is planned and closed to reduce tension, and scar care is included.

Why the Scar Starts With the Incision →

Steri Strips come off at home in week three, silicone scar therapy starts around week four, and your scars are reviewed at every follow up visit. Scars continue to soften and fade over the first year.

Self pay options are available, and you receive a Good Faith Estimate before surgery so you know your cost in advance.

Yes. CareCredit financing is available for self pay patients and for costs your plan does not cover.

30 Central Park South, Suite 13A, New York, NY 10019, on Central Park South in Manhattan. Call (212) 440-1700 to book a consultation.