Breast Reduction: Q&A

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Wait to Lose Weight Before Breast Reduction?

I use 42DDD bras. I want Breast reduction but I want something like a D. I have Medical. Will Medical cover it if I just want a D?

I'm overweight. Would it be best to wait to loose the weight before I get a reduction?

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breasts D cup DDD cup female weight loss insurance

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by mri831 in salinas ca

Doctor Answers (13)
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Weight loss before breast reduction

Patients should always try to be at a stable weight before any surgery, especially if their weight might affect the final result. Most doctors ask the patient to do what is reasonablly possible, not get down to some impossible weight. My colleagues are absolutely correct that after breast reduction many patients become more active and lose even more weight.

Lose weight prior to breast reduction

It is better to lose the weight prior to undergoing breast reduction because your breasts may further decrease in size with ongoing weight loss. Therefore if you become a D and lose weight your D cup could become a C cup. In regards to medical, I would contact one of your local physicians. In many instances state agencies will not accept predetermination of benefits letters. In this instance coverage may be determined by the amount removed.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Weight Loss before Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery. It is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. The ideal situation is for you to lose weight and be stable in regards to weight prior to surgery - that will give you the best chances of long-term results you will be happy with. If you, for example, have the surgery and then lose 20 more pounds, you may need to have another surgery because... more

Weight Loss Before Breast Reduction

First, I would recommend losing the weight prior to having breast reduction surgery. Significant weight loss after surgery will affect your cosmetic result from the breast reduction. Second, your surgeon would need to get an authorization to see if your insurance company would cover your surgery. Hope that helps.

Weight loss before breast reduction

Although breasts are comprised partly of fat, even drastic weight loss won't result in significant shrinkage in that area (and even then, the breasts will still be saggy). Many doctors ignore a crucial dilemma: When your breasts are so large, exercise is a miserable, if not impossible, option. Being overweight doesn't exclude you from having breast reduction surgery. In fact, it will motivate you to lose weight by improving your body image and freeing you to exercise with minimal bouncing... more

Breast reduction and weight loss

If you are planning to lose a lot of weight I would wait to undergo a breast reduction. The breasts will get smaller with weight loss and so I would wait.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction, Weight Loss and Medical Insurance Coverage

Great questions - several comments are in order. WEIGHT LOSS - If you are over-weight then weight loss to a healthy range (or better your ideal weight) is in order regardless of any plans for a breast reduction. You would feel, look and be healthier. Moreover, IF weight loss causes you a decrease in the size of the breasts, you really would want it BEFORE a breast reduction - not after. Finally, many insurance companies require you to lose weight before they would authorize a breast... more

Breast Reduction & weight loss

You will always get your best results, with the greatest safety, and with the longer lasting results, the closer you are to your ideal weight. Insurance companies are fickle and variable. Try to get your physician to do a pre-certification.

Better to lose weight before breast reduction

It sounds like you are in the difficult situation of needing to lose weight but having difficulty exercising because of heavy breasts. However, you need to know that the risk of complications with surgery is higher in patients who are overweight, and your results will be better in my opinion if you can lose the weight first.

OK to have breast reduction if overweight.

Hi. Breast reduction surgery will benefit you right now. Being overweight is a separate issue. Having smaller breasts often encourages women to lose weight after surgery.

Should I lose weight before my Breast Reduction?

Hi there- It is always in your best interests to achieve your goal weight and be stable at that weight for at least a few months before surgery on the breasts or body. Losing weight will change the relationships between the breast tissue and the skin, between the breasts and the body, and also will change the quality of the skin. All of these will affect your long term outcome if they occur after surgery, making the odds of needing secondary revision surgery much higher. Once you've... more

Wait to lose weight before breast reduction

It is a personal decision of yours and maybe the surgeon. It is best to be close to an "ideal" weight but we live in a real world, so try but do not let it be the final determinate of having surgery. Regards.

Always lose weight before body surgery

It is critical for the best results to be near your ideal body weight before having any body contouring surgery including a breast reduction. Increase your exercise, decrease your calorie intake, maintain a healthy protein intake and you will lose weight.