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Breast Reduction - How Do I Proceed? What to Ask? How to Find the Right Doc?

asked 1 year ago by redtailgal in statesville, NC
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 206 times
Tags: age 35-44, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, consultation, I cup

Hello! I am 5'3", 37 years old and a mother to two teens. I have lost 50 pounds and am working on another fifty to get me to my goal weight of 140 (I am muscular, lower than 140lbs and I am too thin). Right now, I am wearing a 38I cup. Yes, I said "I" cup. It hurts. My breasts have NOT decreased in size with weight loss, and they are pendulous. Insurance is a problem even though I am being treated for back/shoulder pain, and have had surgery on both arms now. How do I get started? Thanks!

12 answers to Breast Reduction - How Do I Proceed? What to Ask? How to Find the Right Doc?

Insurance coverage for breast reduction

The most common complaints that I hear from patients desiring breast reduction are: Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain Poor posture Bra strap grooving chronic intertrigo under the breasts Insurance coverage varies from patient to patient. Some companies require evidence of failed conservative therapy, some require a specific amount of tissue removal based on a patients BMI, some don't cover the procedure at all. A letter from your surgeon to the your... more

Mark Preston, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Planning for breast reduction

Breast reduction is a common operation with high patient satisfaction. It is the only known effecive treatment for severe breast enlargement (hypertrophy) with the symptoms you describe. Symptomatic macromastia is the most descriptive term. The information you convey contains many issues that bear careful consideration and discussion. If indeed you believe that an additional 50 pounds of weight loss is attainable and sustainable then it would likely be wise to wait until... more

Richard J. Wassermann, MD, MPH
Columbia Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction and Insurance

First off, congratulations on your weight loss! I would suggest that you get within 10 pounds of your ideal weight before proceeding any further. Check your insurance policy to make sure that breast reduction coverage is even offered. Many insurance plans now list breast reduction as an exclusion which means they will not pay for this procedure. You can review your plan book or contact your insurance company. Your board certified plastic surgeon's office staff should be... more

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction insurance coverage.

Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction 80% of breast reduction questions on RealSelf are about insurance coverage. Here are some helpful points. 1) Insurance companies try very hard not to pay for breast reduction, even though they should. Even small breast reductions relieve many symptoms such as back pain and shoulder pain, and even some types of headaches. 2) Very big reductions (like from an F cup to a C cup) will usually be covered. 3) Many policies will pay... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction and Insurance Coverage?

Thank you for the question. It sounds like you are dealing with breast hypertrophy along with the physical and psychosocial consequences of this diagnosis. In other words, the breasts are too large for the frame causing both physical and psychological distress. Please make sure you do your homework and understand the potential risk and complications associated with breast reduction surgery, including abnormal scarring. You should also understand that further... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

The Issue of Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction Surgery

Check with your insurance company and find out specifically what they require to cover a breast reduction. Some companies want documentation that you have been treated for neck and shoulder pain either by a neurologist, or orthopedist. Some companies require a trial of physical therapy before they will agree to certify surgery. Documentation is important so get whoever operated on your arms to give you a letter. When you have your plastic surgery consult, pictures of your breasts and... more

Carlin Vickery, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.5thavesurgery.com

Breast reduction and insurance coverage.

As you continue to lose weight, you can begin gathering infomation so everything is ready when you get to the weight you are trying to acheive. First, find several board certified plastic surgeons you can consult with. Contact The American Society of Plastic Surgeons for a list of surgeons in your area. Once you have met with and found the surgeon you are comfortable with, they should be able to help you navigate the insurance coverage, depending on your insurance. ... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction - How Do I Find a Plastic Surgeon

Hi redtailgal in statesville, NC, Excellent question. I usually recommend the following: 1) Contact your primary care physician to see if he or she knows any plastic surgeons in your community. No use in reinventing the wheel if someone near you has already done the research. 2) Do the research. Go online and do some basic reading about this procedure. It's in your best interest to do the work ahead of time so that you and your surgeon can... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction

Back and neck pain is one of the most common reasons for a person to have a breast reduction. Reducing the size of your breasts can definitely relieve a lot of this pain. The first thing you need to do is find a surgeon in your area that accepts insurance, some Plastic Surgeons do not. After you have found a few near you, interview them. This is really a consultation but you are finding out if they are the best fit for you! At your consultation make sure to see their before an... more

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

Breast reduction starts with insurance predetermination

One of the best ways to find a surgeon for breast reduction is a search through your insurance plan list of doctors within your plan. Reduction is a covered benefit for some companies, and an I-cup is sure to be within range of covered benefits. The plastic surgeon can discuss options after examination and begin an insurance predetermination to confirm benefits. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction - How Do I Proceed? What to Ask? How to Find the Right Doc?

Start with looking for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area; you may want to go to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website to do a search for doctors in your area. Look at their photos as a picture can speak 1,000 words. When you meet with them, review the type of reduction they perform, and once you feel good about the doctor himself/herself and like their work, go get the surgery! You will only wish that you hadnt waited so long! more

Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction

First, I would get down to the weight you want to be at. Then I would reassess your breasts at that time.. Each insurance company has different criteria, and you whould contact them to find out what those criteria are.