Breast Reduction Recommended if Overweight?

there is some hestitation on my part to get breast reduction. would a good candidate for breast reduction surgery be overweight?

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31 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Breast reduction in patients overweight.

This is a very common question from women considering breast reduction surgery. Many times insurance companies use a scale to determine the minimum amount of breast tissue (per breast) to be removed in order for them to consider it medically indicated. This scale is based on Body Surface Area (this scale is called the Schnur sliding scale and can be found online). Obviously, if a patient looses weight then the BSA drops and therefore the minimum amount of breast tissue... more

Overweight patients can have breast reductions

Both overweight people and those of normal weight may have breast reductions with good outcomes. A breast reduction is an option for anyone in good health whose breasts are larger than they'd like them to be or whose breasts cause them health issues such as back or neck pain, among other things. If a patient's breast tissue has a major fatty content to it, then weight loss would decrease the breast size. In general, about 1/3 of women have breast tissue which doesn't have major fatty... more

Breast reduction if overweight

Not all breast reduction patients are overweight. In the patients who are, I advise them that if they have a breast reduction, then loose a significant amount of weight after surgery, their breasts may or may not get significantly smaller. Most people know if their breasts change much with weight loss or weight gain. If your breasts are large and do not get much smaller when you loose weight, then considering a breast reduction would benefit you in many ways. Good luck!

Breast Reduction

Thanks for your question - Breast reduction is a procedure that can be covered by insurance. It is designed to reduce the size of the breasts to help with back pain, intertrigo (severe rashes under the breasts), shoulder grooving from bra straps and appearance (though the insurance companies do not recognize this concern when evaluating coverage). There have been several studies demonstrating that breast reduction surgery ranks very high in terms of patient satisfaction. Breast reduction is... more

Thinking about a breast reduction?

The proper candidate for a breast reduction is simply one whose breasts are larger than they want. Reductions can come in large or small amounts. Enlarged breasts may also be causing symptoms and limiting exercise and clothing choices if they are large and heavy enough. These symptoms commonly include upper back pain, neck pain, shoulder grooves from the bra straps, and occasionally irritation between the breasts and the upper abdominal skin. The candidate should be in good physical and... more

Patients Who Are Overweight Will Benefit From Breast Reduction Surgery

For many patients breast reduction surgery is a life changing experience. Symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder pain seem to improve almost overnight. Patients note that clothes fit better and over time their self esteem and self image improve as well. Patients who are overweight don’t differ from other patients in this regard. They note similar improvement in quality of life and significant improvement in symptoms. When patients who are over weight undergo breast... more

Breast Reduction

For patients experiencing pain in the neck, back, and shoulders, bra strap grooving, rashes underneath breasts or some combination, breast reduction can help provide relief by reducing the side/weight of the breasts. Whether insurance will cover depends on the specifics of the case and the requirements of insurance.

Breast Reduction - Recommended if Overweight?

Breast Reduction is normally recommended when the excess weight of the breast tissue is contributing to, or causing, neck, back and shoulder pain, bra strap grooving, intertrigo (rashes) underneath the breasts, or some combination of symptoms that can reasonably be expected to be relieved if the breasts are reduced in size (weight). Whether or not it is covered by insurance is a separate (but important) question and, in general, insurance companies are reluctant to pay for procedures... more

Breast Reduction and Weight Loss?

Thank you for the question. At some point you will be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery; it will be in your best interest to reach a long-term stable weight prior to proceeding with the surgery. This recommendation is based on safety of the procedure as well as predictability/long-term outcome of the surgery. Insurance company coverage likelihood will also be improved. Best wishes.

Breast reduction surgery in overweight patient

There are a number of factors to consider before deciding on breast reduction surgery. Is the patient contemplating weight loss, what is the patient's weight history, etc. Then of course there is insurance coverage consideration which is a separate topic in itself. In my practice I see a number of overweight patients that request breast reduction. If I determine that their weight has been stable for some time and the likelihood of weight loss is small,... more