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What is bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery?

Bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery is a procedure to rebuild or reshape the nipples and areolas of the breast/chest if they are damaged or removed. 

The most common reason this surgery is performed is after surgical removal of the breasts due to breast cancer. The blood supply for the nipple runs through the center of the breast tissue. Therefore, if the breast tissue near these blood vessels needs to be removed, the nipple must be removed as well. 

There are other rare cases where nipple reconstruction is required. The nipple may be damaged during an accident, due to complications from piercing, or as the result of cosmetic surgery. While reconstruction of both nipples is most commonly required, reconstruction of just one side, known as unilateral nipple reconstruction, is also possible. 

While most nipple reconstruction surgeries occur in middle-aged women, young women with early-onset breast cancer, men with breast cancer, and anyone born with abnormalities of the nipples may also undergo nipple reconstruction.

Is bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery painful?

How long does it take to recover from bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery?

What happens after bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery?

Should you have nipple reconstruction surgery?

Does insurance cover bilateral nipple reconstruction?

What should you wear after bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery?

How soon can you exercise after bilateral nipple reconstruction surgery?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

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