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Breast Implants for C Cup Breasts After Reduction?

I am 5'2, 115 lbs, and 21 years old. I have huge 34DD breasts. I am very active and enjoy staying fit, although it's difficult for me to be able to do all the things I enjoy because of back problems. I got approval from the insurance company to get a breast reduction, but they have requirements on how much they will need to reduce. They want to make me into a small or medium B cup. I won't like my body too much if I went from DD to small B, so I'm wondering if it's possible to get  breast implants after my reduction to have medium or large C cup breasts?

Asked 28 months ago by lovelife941 in wisconsin
Sort 14 expert answers by:
+1

Breast implant sizing

It is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C cup” or "fake looking" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants for C Cup Breasts After Reduction?

Yes it is possible and sometimes one of the better methods to achieve a smaller breast with upper fullness.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reduction

With double D breasts, and with yoru height and weight, you are probably realistically going to be reduced into a C'ish cup or slightly bigger.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do not make breasts too small with breast reduction.

Hi. Many women have your dilemma, and the system is really awful. But it it is not in your best interests to have a radical breast reduction and then have breast implants. If you really cannot afford a proper breast reduction, try the plastic surgery clinic of a teaching hospital. There, the residents do the surgery under supervision, and it is usually a safe environment. In New York City, we train residents and fellows at Lenox Hill Hospital, and they do a very good job. And the... more
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reduction and implants

I would not recommend having implants placed at the time of a breast reduction for the sole purpose of allowing your surgeon to remove enough volume for the insurance company. Not only will this potentially create issues with the blood supply to your breasts and nipples, it would be considered fraud if your surgeon tried to get the insurance company to pay for the implants or time required to place them. I would recommend having the breast reduction done to reduce you to the size you want... more
Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation right after breast reduction

Hi, You're not the first patient to ask this question. Ultimately, though, you're asking if it's possible to enlarge the breasts after first making them too small. Clearly, a better option is not to make them too small to begin with. How can that be accomplished? Find out exactly how many grams your insurance company is requiring your surgeon to remove. Insurance companies do not specify what cup size you must be at the completion of your procedure; they only state how many grams must... more
Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants AFTER Breast Reduction to get C cup breasts

As long as you expect your insurance company to pay the bill you and your Plastic surgeon MUST play by their rules. Many companies have purposefully raised the amount of breast tissue that must be removed per breast to VERY high weights. This was done to restrict the use of Breast Reduction ONLY by women with huge breasts but leaves out a lot of women who COULD symptomatically benefit from the operation BUT who, like you, do not want to essentially have modified modified mastectomies. IT... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants to improve too small of a reduction

Yes, a certain amount of tissue may need to be removed, but it can be skillfully shaped at the same time. If in the event , they are too flat, Implants later are possible. Please discuss these options with your surgeon before undertaking the procedure
Barry E. DiBernardo, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon
+1

Just have Breast Reduction to the size you want

Don't let your insurance company dictate what procedure would be best for you. I know we all want our insurance to cover our needs, but it sounds like a moderate reduction would serve you best. To remove excess natural tissue and place implants just to satisfy your insurance company would be ridiculous. Have your Plastic Surgeon do the correct removal and leave you the right size that will eliminate your symptoms. If this leaves you at a C as you desire, great. Submit the bill as normal... more
David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

How much to remove in breast reduction.

Hi Lovelife941. Talk to your plastic surgeon. Insurance companies usually never say what cup size you will be. They will say how many grams need to be removed in order for them to pay for the surgery. Your plastic surgeon can estimate what cup size you will be after reduction of the amount specified by your insurance company. In order to go from a DD to a B, you would need to have a lot of tissue removed and I doubt that your insurance comany is requiring removal of that amount. ... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

A breast reduction should be all you need and it sounds like it should be covered by you insurance

With the size breast that you describe that you have, I believe you most likely should be able to under go a breast reduction, achieve the size and shape you desire and also find it covered by your insurance. Most often breast reduction is covered if you have 500 grams removed. If your frame is small and you are a smaller person you would probably get an approval with a smaller amount of reduction. Ask your surgeon to specify how much tissue in grams that they plan to remove and ask them to... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reduction then augmentation

You need to step back and rethink what you have said and what you intend to do. Why would you have a breast reduction beyound what would be appropriate for you just to have insurance cover it, then turn around and have synthetic implants put in to increase the breast size: and this would be self pay. Why dont you just pay for the breast reduction if you eventually need to and therby have one operation and no need for foreign material in you breasts.
John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants after Reduction

You should not undergo these 2 procedures. First of all, there is a greater risk of loss of nipple/areolar tissue with an augmentation following a reduction where some of the blood supply has been disrupted. Secondly, I agree with Dr. Rand that you will save money in the long run by having a reduction resulting in a size that you are happy with plus there is no "foreign body" involved.
John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts should not be overly reduced to satisfy insurance demands

The plan you describe is not logical. It also would be more expensive to have implants later than to just have a "cosmetic" reduction and lift down to the size that you want and not go through insurance. That way, you have one operation, get the size and look you want, and don't need implants and can't ever have any implant related problems.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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