I Am 24 Years Old, 5'1'', 118 Lbs and a Size 32 G. I Want a Breast Reduction but Not Sure How Small to Go?

I suffer from extreme shoulder and back pain and I have been talking to my doctor about a reduction. I don't have the money to pay for it so I would like the insurance to cover it, but I know they require a certain amount of breast tissue to be removed. How can I know how much to remove to relieve the back, shoulder and neck pain for my frame? I just want to be proportional, I don't want to be completely flat.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by PixieDust04 in Los Angeles, CA

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Breast Reduction Size

An in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reductions is where you need to start. It is true that most insurance companies do require a minimum amount of breast tissue to be removed to get coverage, and your doctor can help you find out what your specific health insurance plan will and will not cover. He or she can also help you understand what size you might be after surgery once that certain amount of tissue has been removed.... more

Breast reduction questions

Thank you for the questions. Your questions can be addressed with a plastic surgery consultation. During the consultation, your hopes and desires and concerns are evaluated. The treatment options are given to you. That includes the type of breast reduction and the amount of breast tissue to be removed. The surgery, the outcome of surgery and complications are all addressed during the consultations. You should ask to see for before and after photos. It is also helpful if you take photos with... more

Breast reduction for very large breasts is covered by insurance.

Hi. From the measurements you give, I am pretty sure that you can end up a nice C cup, and have your surgery covered by insurance.

"G" cup and reduction

Without an exam, it is difficult to say what would be best for you, but I will say that in my practice a woman with extremely large breasts will still have reasonable amount of tissue left to create a good shape and size. Remember in order for the nipple-areola complex to survive it needs a certain amount of tissue to be attached, and in order for the skin to close around it and be viable, it too needs a certain thickness.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction sizing

Each insurance company will have its own guidelines as to the minimum gram weight which must be removed for coverage of the procedure. If you are a G cup, you will certainly meet those guidelines. In a younger patient, my inclination is to go on the smaller side as you will likely gain some weight as you age. Experienced plastic surgeons who perform breast reductions regularly will be able to discuss sizing with you in specific terms and in relation to your frame. This is a wonderful... more

Breast Reduction; Concerns about Resulting Breast Size?

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; based on your description, you may be an excellent candidate for this very patient pleasing operation. The majority of patients that I see in the office seeking this operation share your goals. They wish to have enough breast tissue removed to decrease/alleviate symptoms while retaining enough breast tissue to remain “proportionate”. In my practice, I like to use goal pictures so that... more