Am I a good candidate for a breast reduction? 22yo, 32DD who can't wear underwires.

Hi and thanks for your question.  From your photos you are likely a good candidate for a small breast reduction.  A visit to a plastic surgeon's office will help you to understand if you're a candidate for the procedure, and what aesthetic outcomes are realistic in your particular case.  In order to get a qualified, ethical, and expert opinion on your surgical options and expectations, always schedule an in-person office consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best of luck,
Keith M. Blechman, MD
New York, NY

Thanks so much for reaching out. By the photos you provided does not look like your breasts are big enough for breast reduction surgery to be covered by insurance. Also the amount of breast tissue removed will likely not change your complaints as not that much weight will be taken off. However that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t pursue reduction if that is an aesthetic goal of yours.I hope this helps :-)

Although you have back pain, you will not meet the insurance company's baseline criteria in terms of gram weight resection. You could certainly have the surgery but on a fee for service basis. Best wishes.

Perhaps a small reduction would help you. Dont expect a guarantee that your shoulder back and neck pains will go away. 

While you can definitely made smaller, I do not think you can get to an "A" cup and maintain a reasonable shape. You would likely have to be self-pay as I do not think your breasts are large enough to get this "covered" by insurance.  You can check with your insurance company first to find out their criteria for approval.

Thank you for the question. Based on your photographs, your breasts are certainly smaller than the average patient presents for breast reduction surgery. However, based on your description, concerns, and goals, you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery.   However, much more information is needed to determine whether you should proceed with surgery, and if so when (timing).  In my practice, I individualize the “timing” of surgery based on a lot of information that is transmitted during the consultation process.
“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.  Additional surgery may be necessary in the short or longer term for a multitude of reasons.
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.
Then, it will be important that you communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon and make sure that you have realistic expectations prior to proceeding with any type of surgery. In regards to breast size desired, also communicate carefully. In my practice the use of goal pictures are helpful in this regard; a discussion of cup size can be confusing and imprecise.   Therefore, I would not suggest that you communicate your goals and/or base your satisfaction with the outcome of surgery on achieving a specific cup size.  I also find that the use of pictures is more helpful than the words “natural” or "proportionate” or "A or B cup" etc., which can mean different things to different people.
Many of my patients choose to have enough breast tissue removed to help alleviate symptoms while retaining enough breast tissue to remain proportionate to the remainder of  bare torso.
Best wishes.

After reviewing your photos i appears that insurance would probably not cover you for a functional breast reduction. In light of that my recommendation would be a 1. aggressive breast lift with the removal of approximately 200-300gms from each breast which would take you down to a C cup. 2. you do have a slight asymmetry with your left nipple a little more lateral and lower than you right and this would  have to be addressed during the breast lift procedure. Good Luck