5'4, 160 lb w/ 38DD, suffering from chronic neck/back pain for the past several years. Am I a candidate for a Breast Reduction?

You
are an excellent candidate for a new technique called The Ultimate Breast
ReductionTM.Breast tissue is
reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and
more medial to increase your cleavage.This technique avoids the ugly vertical scars of the traditional
technique, maintains nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed.The weight of the breast is transferred to
the underlying muscle resulting in immediate pain relief and allowing you to
keep the size proportionate to your body.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

By what you are
describing, it seems that you would be a good candidate for breast reduction if you
find that the size of your breasts restricts you from activity or causes pain
and discomfort.  However, if in future you wish
to breast-feed then it may be best to delay the procedure until you are done
having children.  Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with elite
credentials to discuss your surgical options.  At that time you can discuss his/her approach, scarring, breast feeding and what you can
expect with the outcome of your surgery.

I would simply have a discussion with your primary care doctor and simply asked if you may have a referral to a plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon will give you information as to whether you're appropriate candidate for breast reduction. The plastic surgeon will discuss the scarring and the ability to breast-feed because we the experts in this arena.  Your primary care physician needs to be helpful in regards to supplying notes documenting your back pain and no-surgical treatment of your back pain. 

Each insurance plan is different.  Call your insurance company and ask them if your plan covers breast reduction and if you need a referral to see a plastic surgeon.  If you do need a referral, call your primary care's office and ask them for one.  If you are a good candidate and are willing to accept the scars to improve the pain, I would assume your primary care would send you a referral.  If not, you always can change PCPs.   Only someone who performs the surgery can tell you if you are a good candidate.  Breast reduction surgery does produce scarring on your breasts.  However, the trade off is treatment for neck pain, back pain and chronic rashes.  If you have tried and failed multiple conservative measures (and it sounds like you have), you should be a candidate for surgery.  The surgery has a very high satisfaction rate because it effectively treats these symptoms.  No one can tell you if the surgery will affect your ability to breast feed, but many women are able to breast feed following breast reduction surgery.Good luck,Trey Aquadro, M.D.

From your description you are a good candidate for the procedure and will benefit from a more proportionate breast size. I would recommend getting a consultation from a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the medical and insurance concerns you have. Your surgeon can discuss the scarring involved and breast feeding possibility after having the surgery.

Thank you for the question. Based on your description and breast cup size alone, you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. However, much more information is needed to determine whether you should proceed with surgery, and if so when (timing).
“Typical” patients who present for breast reduction surgery are women who have disproportionately large breasts, causing problems such as neck/back/shoulder discomfort, postural changes, bra strap grooving, skin irritation/rashes under the breasts, and/or difficulty with activities of daily living and/or exercise etc. There may be both physical as well as psychosocial “stress” caused by the disproportionately large breasts.
Reducing breast tissue mass and elevating the breasts on the chest wall tend to improve or alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disproportionately large breasts.
Patients considering breast reduction surgery should also consider the potential downsides (risks/complications) associated with the procedure as well. Poor scarring, for example may be associated with the procedure.
When the time is right, I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Without an exam I can not say for sure if you are a candidate for a breast reduction, but if you want smaller breasts you do not need the approval of your primary car doctor.

Unless you have a health plan that restricts you from seeing a plastic surgeon you might not need to have your primary's approval. Even if you do, there may be surgeons in your area as we do which offer a complimentary consultation to consider breast reduction. Scars and a reduced ability to breast feed are true, however the satisfaction rate with the procedure is very high. It is worth a visit with surgeon to get the facts.