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*Deciding to go under the knife or needle for any reason is, needless to say, a big decision. What’s the best way to make a big decision? Arm yourself with as much information as possible. In this series, [Ask AEDIT](https://aedit.com/aedition/category/ask-aedit), we break down the best questions to ask before choosing to undergo aesthetic treatments and procedures with expert insight from the providers that perform them.*

[Breast reduction](https://aedit.com/procedure/breast-reduction) is one of a handful of procedures that can have both a medically necessary and cosmetic component to it. Whether you’re interested in undergoing the surgery to alleviate pain and improve quality of life or are aesthetically unhappy with the shape and size of the chest, there are certain things you need to know about the procedure. From the impact it can have on breastfeeding to insurance coverage, these are some frequently asked (and important) breast reduction questions answered by two top plastic surgeons.

### **1. What should I consider when choosing a breast reduction surgeon?**
Choosing the right surgeon for a breast reduction (or any procedure for that matter) isn’t about any one thing. Instead, it’s important to [find a provider](https://aedit.com/aedition/category/how-i-found-my-plastic-surgeon) that is well qualified and also someone you feel comfortable with. In addition to researching [board certification](https://aedit.com/aedition/medical-board-certification-in-plastic-surgery-cosmetic-dermatology) and speciality, “it is imperative that you can speak to the surgeon openly and freely,” says [Payman Danielpour, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/payman-danielpour-md-797), a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills. That includes being able to “express your desires openly without feeling that you are uncomfortable or that the surgeon is dominating the experience,” he adds.

But it’s not just about bedside manner. Understanding a prospective surgeon’s technique and aesthetic is also key. Ask to see before and after photos of patients who have a similar breast size and skin color as you, explains [Umbareen Mahmood, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/umbareen-mahmood-md-23), a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in NYC, “as poor scarring is a potential concern” (more on that later). 

### **2. Does insurance cover breast reduction?**
In short: It depends. “This is highly variable and depends on a number of factors,” Dr. Mahmood shares. As it turns out, [insurance companies](https://aedit.com/aedition/insurance-coverage-for-plastic-surgery-cosmetic-procedures) can be quite prescriptive and even seek to dictate the specifics of the surgery. “Even if the insurance company gives a precertification for the procedure, they then determine how many grams of tissue the surgeon must remove for the surgery to be covered, which often may leave patients with breasts that are far smaller than they desire,” she continues. 

There is no doubt overly large breasts can cause medical concerns (think: neck and back pain, rashes in the breast folds, interference with daily activities, etc.), but a breast reduction procedure is also aesthetic and needs to be treated as such. “I often tell patients, while breast reductions are certainly a medical issue, they are *also* an aesthetic procedure and should result in breasts that look beautiful to the patient,” Dr. Mahmood says.

### **3. What are the risks associated with breast reduction surgery?**
The primary risks associated with breast reductions are hematoma (blood clot), decreased nipple sensation, and wound healing issues. In rare cases, “the blood supply to the nipple can get damaged, causing loss of the nipple,” Dr. Mahmood explains. There is also the possibility of asymmetrical results, although “asymmetry between the breasts is not considered a risk since it is an inherent element when operating on two of the same body part — but it is still an important point to discuss with patients,” she adds. 

### **4. If I plan to have children, should I wait to have a breast reduction until after?**
Ideally, yes. But in both doctors’ experience, patients as young as 18 often decide to proceed with breast reductions to eliminate neck, back, and shoulder pain. “I see many patients in their late teens and twenties who may be years away from thinking about a family but are in agonizing physical pain as well as emotional and psychological distress due to their overly large breasts,” Dr. Mahmood explains. “While I certainly counsel all patients on the inherent risk of decreased ability to breastfeed, in instances like these, a patients quality of life and well-being must be considered.”

If you can wait, Dr. Mahmood advises waiting until after you have breastfed (if that is something you want to do, of course!). “Breastfeeding potential after a breast reduction is based on the amount of milk ducts and milk producing glands that remain after the surgery,” Dr. Mahmood says. “Reduction techniques that keep the nipple attached have a much higher chance of maintaining breastfeeding potential, as well as those that preserve more of the glandular tissue from the nipple to the chest wall.”

The [ability to breastfeed](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding-impact-breast-implants) after a breast reduction is not something doctors can determine for sure one way or another — every body is different. “The longer the period from the operation, the higher the likelihood that lactation will be successful,” Dr. Danielpour says. 

### **5. What is the breast reduction recovery process like?** 
The good news is that a breast reduction is not the hardest [postoperative process](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-long-does-it-takes-to-recover-from-cosmetic-surgery-procedures). For six weeks afterwards, patients are advised to wear a surgical or sports bra and cannot exercise (no heavy lifting, swimming, or vigorous physical activity). “Most of my breast reduction patients do well with Tylenol alone and no narcotic pain meds,” Dr. Danielpour says.

### **6. What kind of scarring is expected after a breast reduction?** 
“In the immediate postoperative period, the scars are very visible, red, and raised,” Dr. Danielpour says. They do, however, flatten and lighten over the course of several months. It can take up to a year to see how scars have fully healed, and, most of the time, he says it’s quite minimal. “Most patients, even those with known tendencies to form hypertrophic scars, heal well after a breast reduction, likely because there is no tension on the tissue — unlike with a [medial thigh lift](https://aedit.com/procedure/thigh-lift) or [brachioplasty](https://aedit.com/procedure/arm-lift),” Dr. Mahmood says. “The post-surgical bra takes pressure off the incisions, and I advise patients to use scar cream at three to four weeks post-op and use sunblock when outdoors or on the beach.” If, ultimately, the scarring bothers you, it can be reduced with lasers and other treatments. 

### **7. If I am overweight, do I need to lose weight before a breast reduction?**
“As with all elective plastic surgery procedures, patients are advised to be at an appropriate weight before surgery,” Dr. Mahmood says, noting that “studies have shown that the risk of infection and wound breakdown is elevated for those at a higher BMI.” Needless to say, surgeons want to mitigate risk for patients. 

It’s also important to maintain a [good diet and exercise regimen](https://aedit.com/aedition/why-you-should-lose-weight-before-plastic-surgery) after surgery, she adds, adding that “most are excited about finally being able to do, as they are finally unencumbered by large breasts.” An active lifestyle is important to avoid having breast volume increase again in the future, she explains.

### **8. If my weight fluctuates after a breast reduction, will it impact the results?** 
Though this isn’t common, it can happen. “It is generally unlikely that breast growth will occur after a breast reduction, particularly because skin, fat, and breast tissue are removed,” Dr. Mahmood explains. When it does occur, it is usually the result of hormonal changes (think: [pregnancy](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-pregnancy-affects-cosmetic-surgery-results), [menopause](https://aedit.com/aedition/cosmetic-procedures-skincare-for-women-in-menopause)), weight gain, or medication. 

### **9. How is the size of my post-reduction breasts determined?**
Determining the right size requires an open and honest dialogue between patient and provider. Dr. Danielpour says it is important to balance the patient’s goals with what will work best for their body. “The size should match the individual’s frame and also be small enough that it will help, if it is meant to reduce neck, shoulder, and back pain,” he says. 

A pro tip? Don’t fixate on a particular size. “It is well known that there is wide variability in bra sizing — different companies and brands have their own sizing rules — so there is no consistency in determining what a patient's size is pre-op,” Dr. Mahmood says. “Furthermore, most patients are wearing incorrect or poor fitting bras, and they often state themselves that their bra size is an inaccurate representation of their current breast volume”

As she explains, there is no correlation between the amount of breast tissue removed and the resulting bra size because patients have different baselines, different overall breast measurements, and varying tissue composition. To combat this, Dr. Mahmood asks patients to generally tell her what their “ideal size” is, as women tend to have a rough idea of what cup sizes look like. “Based on that, I perform the surgery and tailor the amount of tissue I remove to what will help them achieve that size,” she says.

### **10. Can I speak to former patients and/or see before and after photos?**
Absolutely! “It can be challenging to speak directly to former patients based on HIPAA regulations, as well as patients not wanting their personal information shared,” Dr. Mahmood shares. “But patient testimonials and before and after photographs are certainly invaluable to helping patients determine which surgeon is the right fit for them and what their results might look like.” So, don’t be afraid to ask for the assets you need to make the best decision for yourself.

AEDITION rejuvenators-min

Medical Aesthetics Collection | The AEDITION

Aesthetics

From the impact it can have on breastfeeding to insurance coverage, these are some frequently asked breast reduction questions answered by two top plastic surgeons.

Breast Reduction Questions: Insurance, Recovery, Breastfeeding, Breast Size

10 Questions To Ask Before Getting A Breast Reduction

shutterstock 1549485185

*When should I start getting Botox®? Is it time to incorporate retinol into my skincare routine? What is a “mommy makeover”? How about a “daddy do-over”? Do I really need to, as the saying goes, sacrifice my ass for my face? Should I swap my hyaluronic acid fillers for something a bit more permanent?*

*When it comes to beauty and aesthetics, there is no such thing as one -size -fits-all. But there are some tried and true principles that will keep you looking and feeling your best. In this series, [Coming of Age](https://aedit.com/aedition/category/coming-of-age), The AEDITION answers your most pressing questions about the best treatments, procedures, and practices — from surgery and skincare to health and wellness and everything in between — to consider at any age.*

Welcome to life after 50. “Some of the challenges women face in their fifties, sixties and 70-plus are loss of collagen, elastin, and bone, the mid-face starts to sag, and there’s a true structural shift underneath the skin that leads to deeper wrinkles and more sagging,” explains [Dendy Engelman, MD](http://www.drdendyengelman.com/), a board certified dermatologist in New York City.

Hormones also play a big role in the changes the skin faces after 50. In your forties, hormone levels become imbalanced during perimenopause, which has a direct effect on the skin. The complexion becomes drier, and collagen and elastin production slows. Now that you’ve entered [menopause](https://aedit.com/aedition/cosmetic-procedures-skincare-for-women-in-menopause) (the average age is 51) and the ovaries are creating even less estrogen, dryness becomes a bigger concern, as do sagging and volume loss.

If you’ve been religious about your skincare regimen to date (we’ve got similar guides for your [twenties](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-skincare-routine-products-ingredients-for-20s), [thirties](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-skincare-routine-products-ingredients-for-30s), and [forties](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-skincare-routine-products-ingredients-for-40s)), you already have a leg up. Even so, new challenges may require you to level up your routine to focus on moisture — and maybe even a more advanced professional treatment to two. Hand in hand, you’ll be able to maintain a healthy and refreshed appearance.

## **The Best Skincare Routine for Your 50s and Beyond**
“The outer layer of the skin becomes thinner and more delicate, and you really need to pay attention to how your hormones are affecting it at this age,” says [Julie Russak, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/julie-russak-md-4645), a NYC-based board certified dermatologist and founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic. “You don’t need to completely change your regimen, but you do need to add to it to help recreate the protective barrier and restore moisture.” With that in mind, here’s what the ideal skincare routine after 50 should look like:

### **Morning Routine:**
- Cleanser
- **Heavy Eye Cream**
- Probiotic Serum or Booster
- Vitamin C Serum
- **Heavy Moisturizer with peptides and cholesterol**
- Sunscreen

### **Nighttime Routine:**
- Cleanser
- **Heavy Eye Cream**
- Probiotic Serum or Booster
- **Increased Strength Retinol**
- **Heavy Moisturizer with peptides and cholesterol**

If you’ve been following along in our series, you’ll notice the bones of this regimen remain the same. You can use the same cleanser, serums, [eye cream](https://aedit.com/aedition/eye-creams-serums-to-treat-crows-feet-dark-circles-puffiness), and moisturizer day and night — adding [sunscreen](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-lightweight-non-greasy-sunscreens-to-wear-indoors) to your A.M. routine and a retinol or retinoid in the evening. 

And don’t forget: your face extends beyond the jaw. “You can continue to use your facial products for your [neck](https://aedit.com/aedition/8-ways-to-get-a-younger-looking-neck), décolletage, and [hands](https://aedit.com/aedition/what-you-need-to-know-about-hand-rejuvenation) or you can invest in skincare that targets those specific areas,” Dr. Russak advises. Whatever you decide, don’t neglect them! Just like your face, these delicate areas can show sun damage and other signs of aging. We suggest adding [Revision Nectifirm Advanced](https://revisionskincare.com/products/nectifirm-advanced-next-generation-technology-for-a-younger-looking-neck-and-decolletage) and [PCA Skin C & E Hand Renewal](https://www.skinstore.com/pca-skin-c-e-hand-renewal-30-oz/12661032.html) to your regimen.

## **The Best Skincare Ingredients for Your 50s and Beyond**
In your [twenties](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-skincare-routine-products-ingredients-for-20s), brightening and free radical-fighting [vitamin C](https://aedit.com/aedition/guide-to-topical-vitamin-c-in-skincare) was all you needed. Vitamin A derivatives (i.e. [retinol and retinoids](https://aedit.com/aedition/guide-to-vitamin-a-retinol-retinoids-in-skincare)) joined the club in your [thirties](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-skincare-routine-products-ingredients-for-30s) to increase cellular turnover. [Probiotics](https://aedit.com/aedition/skin-microbiome-skincare-products-ingredients) and ceramides were important additions to treat dryness and fortify the skin barrier in your [forties](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-skincare-routine-products-ingredients-for-40s). After 50, all of these ingredients are still important — albeit with a little more help.

### **Up Your Retinol Game**
If you’ve been using a retinol or retinoid for years (or even decades!), try increasing the strength to at least one percent. We like [SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0](https://www.dermstore.com/product_Age+Defense+Retinol+Complex+10_55452.htm), but you can also ask your dermatologist for a prescription. If you’re a first time user, try a lower strength formula, like [PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment 0.5% Pure Retinol Night](https://www.pcaskin.com/intensive-clarity-treatment-0-5-pure-retinol-night-3.html), and gradually work your way up. Those with sensitive skin may always find retinol treatments to be too aggressive. Fortunately, there are alternatives ([bakuchiol, rosehip oil, and arophira](https://aedit.com/aedition/skincare-ingredient-alternatives-for-retinol-retinoids)) that offer similar results without the irritation.

### **Add Cholesterol to Your Moisturizer**
Cholesterol often gets a bad rap, but it has skincare benefits. “Cholesterol plays a major role in supporting and boosting the function of the skin barrier, which is composed of ‘bricks’ (flattened, protein-enriched corneocytes) and ‘mortar’ (intercellular lipid-enriched layers),” explains Shuting Hu, PhD, a cosmetic scientist and founder of [Acaderma](https://acaderma.com/). “At this age, the skin’s lipid production also decreases and so we need to supplement lipids to strengthen the skin barrier by adding cholesterol into our skincare.” A rich cream (we like [SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2](https://www.skinceuticals.com/triple-lipid-restore-2%3A4%3A2-3606000434967.html)) formulated with cholesterol and peptides to support aging skin is a great swap for the lighter moisturizers you were using in your thirties and forties.  

## **If You’re in the Market for a Professional Treatment…**
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: [skinare can only do so much](https://aedit.com/aedition/aesthetic-skin-aging-concerns-skincare-cannot-treat). That is especially true as we age. As we outlined in our guide to the [best cosmetic procedures to consider after 50](https://aedit.com/aedition/best-cosmetic-procedures-plastic-surgery-to-consider-in-your-50s-60s-70s), surgical procedures can do a lot of heavy lifting (literally), but non-surgical procedures can pack a punch, too. 

### **Try Filler Strategically**
Besides gravity taking a toll, the ‘scaffolding’ supporting the face actually shrinks with age. “Your face literally falls down,” Dr. Engelman says. Without undergoing surgery, the best professional treatment option is to use [hyaluronic acid-based fillers](https://aedit.com/aedition/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dermal-fillers) like Juvéderm® Voluma. Dr. Engelman employs a plastic surgery-inspired technique — injecting right below the ear along the jawline — to “pull the skin back and help support your bone.” She also uses filler at the point where the ear meets the cheekbone for a similar effect. “It can really transform people,” she says.

### **Brighten & Tighten**
The name of the game is evening out the complexion and firming the face through deep, non-surgical stimulation. A rotation of three treatments – Fraxel®, radiofrequency therapy, and microneedling – act as a triple threat. 

- Fraxel® is a [non-ablative fractional](https://aedit.com/procedure/nonablative-fractional-lasers) laser used to resurface the skin, ridding it of hyperpigmentation, brown spots, and scars. It also helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.  
- Radiofrequency (RF) therapy uses electric current to heat the dermis (the deep layer of your skin) and stimulate collagen production.  
- [Microneedling](https://aedit.com/procedure/microneedling), performed alone or in tandem with [RF](https://aedit.com/procedure/microneedling-with-radiofrequency) or [PRP](https://aedit.com/procedure/microneedling-with-prp), creates tiny micro-wounds in the skin to improve fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, brown spots, and laxity.

One or all of these procedures can each be performed once or more per year, as needed.

### **Back Off The Botox®**
One last piece of advice from Dr. Engelman: Lay off [neurotoxins](https://aedit.com/aedition/comparing-neurotoxin-botulinum-type-a-injections-botox-dysport-jeuveau-xeomin) like Botox® in your forehead. As you get older, the brows drop about four millimeters. If you’re adding filler throughout your midface, your brow bone is descending while your cheeks are ascending. The result? Squinty eyes. “Botox® is a relaxer not a tightener, so using it in conjunction with fillers at this age will make your eyes look very small,” Dr. Engelmen warns. While you should skip treating forehead lines, a little around your eyes to address crow’s feet is fine.

AEDITION complexion perfection-min

Beauty Collection | The AEDITION

Beauty

After 50, moisture loss and skin laxity are key concerns. Here’s how to treat them.

Best Skincare Products And Ingredients To Use In Your 50s, 60s, 70s

Coming Of Age: The Best Skincare Routine For Your 50s And Beyond

tim-goedhart-vnpTRdmtQ30-unsplash

We’ve talked a lot about what to do before and after cosmetic and reconstructive surgery — [what foods to eat](https://aedit.com/aedition/meal-plans-diet-before-after-cosmetic-surgery), [what supplements to avoid](https://aedit.com/aedition/vitamins-supplements-to-avoid-before-cosmetic-surgery), and even [how to sleep](https://aedit.com/aedition/sleeping-better-after-cosmetic-surgery-aesthetic-procedures). So, when we heard that hypnotherapy could reduce pain and discomfort and speed up the healing and recovery process post-surgery, we were, well, *mesmerized*.

## **What Is Hypnotherapy?**
In the most basic sense, hypnotherapy is using hypnosis as a means to help patients overcome a mental or physical challenge. Hypnosis has been around since ancient times and became popular in the west around the turn of the nineteenth century, though it was long regarded as a mere parlor amusement.

Even today, there is often a misconception that people in a hypnotic trance are somehow under the control of the hypnotist. That’s simply not true. In fact, patients who are hypnotized are actually experiencing a heightened state of self-awareness. “It’s an opportunity for us to help people restore safety and balance and process information in a way that feels safe and manageable,” says [Pierre-Etienne Vannier, MSc, CHt](http://www.pevannier.com/), a French-born mind-body practitioner. “Regulating the nervous system means you’re learning how to feel safe within yourself.” 

## **How Hypnotherapy Works**
A hypnosis session works by connecting the conscious and subconscious minds, enabling us to delve deeply into the underlying causes of behavior or tap into the root of emotional distress. To experience the benefits of hypnotherapy, patients and therapists need to connect. “Resilience happens in relationships,” he explains. While mindfulness apps are great, they don’t provide the same benefits as a professional treatment. “When you work with a practitioner who’s able to guide you through that process and create a safe space, you’re able to rest, recuperate, regenerate and heal,” Vannier shares. “I see it as a path to self-empowerment.”

During a treatment, the body experiences “a cascade of chemical reactions,” Vannier explains, including the release of neurotransmitters and hormones like endorphins and oxytocin. Learning how to regulate the nervous system leads to a sense of centeredness and control — key components of overall well being. “I teach my clients and patients how to manage stress and emotions,” he says. “The crux of the practice is bringing the nervous system back into balance.”

## **Hypnotherapy & Surgery**
Scientists have long been experimenting with hypnotherapy during surgery. As we’ve explored, [hypnosedation](https://aedit.com/aedition/future-of-hypnosis-hypnosedation-as-anesthesia-in-plastic-surgery) was used to pacify patients before the advent of anesthesia drugs. More recently, researchers have explored hypnotherapy’s potential to holistically help patients pre-op jitters and intraoperative anesthesia to post-surgery pain management and recovery.

“A lot of patients feel like a ‘project,’” Vannier says. “Clinical hypnotherapy empowers patients in their own healing and recovery journey.” Based in Los Angeles, Vannier has been helping people — from HIV/AIDS patients and those with chronic pain to substance abusers and war survivors — cope with stress for over a decade. He cites not only his professional experience but the numerous studies that prove patients who practice hypnotherapy experience less pain and heal quantifiably faster from a surgical procedure as proof of the therapy’s credence. 

### **Pre-Operative Hypnotherapy**
Patients who practice hypnotherapy prior to a procedure (aesthetic or otherwise) are doing both themselves and their medical team a favor, Vannier says. “‘Before’ is a really important step because, when you're able to reduce anxiety and tension, you help your body be ready for the procedure,” he explains. “When you have a more regulated nervous system, it makes the work much easier for everybody.”

Vannier touches on a misconception that many of us have about medicine. “Doctors can’t give health,” he says. “Health comes from within.” No matter whether the procedure is medically necessary or elective, the same principles apply. Hypnotherapy can help make the process smoother by bolstering the immune system, easing preoperative anxiety, and preparing the patient — both mentally and physically — for surgery.

### **Hypnotherapy During Surgery**
Hypnosedation, the practice of using hypnosis in the operating room to relax a patient and reduce their pain, has been making a comeback. [Numerous studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31251709/) examining the technique during procedures like breast cancer reconstruction, liposuction, and facial cosmetic surgery point to quantifiable reductions in the need for traditional pain medications. “Research from UCLA shows you can reduce blood loss during surgery,” Vannier adds. Reducing the need for drugs and ensuring the patient remains more stable during surgery “is a gift not just to the patient but to the entire surgical team,” he notes.

### **Post-Operative Hypnotherapy**
In the immediate aftermath of surgery, a decrease in blood loss and the lack of need for anesthetics translates into a measurable reduction in side effects. A [study of cosmetic surgery patients](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011203/) headed by hypnotherapy pioneer Dr. Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville, showed that only 1.2 percent of those who used hypnosedation during their procedure experienced postoperative nausea and vomiting, as compared to over a quarter of those who had only intravenous sedation.

“It’s very empowering for people to be able to be in control of their pain and recovery,” Vannier says. This feeling of empowerment improves healing. Harvard psychologist and researcher Carol Ginandes, PhD, has been studying the effects of hypnotherapy on healing for decades. In 1999, she and Daniel Rosenthal, MD, a Harvard radiologist, [documented](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10069091/) that ankle fracture patients who practiced hypnotherapy showed objective improvement in healing (as evidenced by medical imaging) compared to patients who did not use hypnotherapy. They also experienced quicker recovery times, greater mobility, and less pain, which translated into less pain medication.

Ginandes later repeated the study with breast reduction patients. This time, she separated women into three groups: those who received support from a psychologist, those who underwent hypnotherapy, and those who received no additional therapy. The women who received hypnotherapy healed the fastest, as objectively measured by anonymous photographic evaluation of their scars. “Since clinical hypnosis is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment, finding that it can speed healing of wounds and other conditions could lead to fewer visits to doctors’ offices and faster return to normal activities,” Ginandes [told The Harvard Gazette](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/05/hypnosis-helps-healing/) at the time.

Vannier has heard similar results from his own clients. “I hear this anecdotally from so many of my patients,” he says. “Their doctors are telling them they’re recovering so much faster than expected.” The positive emotions associated with feeling in control of the recovery process reinforces the physiological response. In other words, knowing you can make yourself feel better makes you feel better.

### **Hypnotherapy for Pain Management**
Vannier believes in the potential of hypnotherapy to alleviate the reliance on [post-surgical (and post-injury) painkillers](https://aedit.com/aedition/opioid-crisis-plastic-surgery-recovery-pain-management). “A significant percentage of people get hooked on opioids from a prescription,” he says. “We’re telling people, ‘If you’re in pain, you have to take these drugs.’” The latest research focuses on integrating mind-body techniques. “It’s not one or the other. You can do both,” Vannier explains. “But, if you’re able to recover faster, you don’t need to be taking the opioids.”

## **How to Find a Hypnotherapist**
So, how does one go about finding a qualified hypnotherapist? Vannier is affiliated with Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California and is the founder of [Healing Studio Online](https://www.healingstudioonline.com/), which he created “to provide people with a space to learn, practice together, and empower each other.” To find a professional in your area, he offers these tips:

- **Seek Referrals**: Find out if friends and family have any recommendations. This is often the best way to choose a provider of any kind.
- **Ask Your Doctor**: Medical practitioners are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of hypnotherapy. Ask your physician if they can refer you.
- **Consider Credentials**: A certificate from a weekend seminar isn’t enough, Vannier stresses. It takes about 700 hours of training to become a clinical hypnotherapist. 
- **Experience Matters**: Vannier suggests choosing a therapist who’s been practicing for at least three to five years.

Hypnotherapy treatments vary in price, depending upon the therapist and location. Expect to pay somewhere between $100 and $300 per session. “It’s about striking a balance,” he says. “It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. But, at the same time, there’s a person working with you and spending time with you. There’s an exchange of energy.”

Generally, Vannier suggests surgery patients meet for three to four sessions over the course of a month, both before and after surgery. The goal is to give patients the skills they need to manage their own healing process. “It’s like a lifeline,” he shares. “It’s like somebody is drowning and we’re coming in the middle of the situation and saying, ‘Take that rope. Let me help you. Let me teach you how to swim.’”

AEDITION minimalists-min

Wellness Collection | The AEDITION

Wellness

We’ve talked a lot about what to do before and after cosmetic surgery. So, when we heard that hypnotherapy could reduce pain and speed up the recovery process, we were, well, mesmerized.

Hypnosis And Hypnotherapy For Pre-Surgery, Recovery, Pain-Management

The Healing Power Of Hypnotherapy

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