Do I need to lose weight for a breast reduction and get it covered by insurance?

It depends on the insurance plan you have. Most plans require documentation of neck, back or shoulder pain that has failed conservative measures (physical therapy). Having a history of recurrent rashes that require treatment helps as well. Breast size does not reliably change with weight loss (especially in your age group) so planning to lose weight is not typically required. Especially for women whose breast size interferes with exercise and makes weight loss difficult.
Set up an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss your breast symptoms. You will likely need to complete physical therapy. If you have breast rashes, request a prescription for treatment. Social distress and self esteem are important parts of your history, make sure you tell your provider about this part of your history. Most insurance companies will cover your breast reduction if you meet these criteria.

Hi,
Thank you for the question.
Based on what you are describing, it does sound that you have large/heavy breasts causing physical symptoms, and breast reduction may be an option for you. However, it is difficult to tell without seeing the photos and/or in person consultation. During breast reduction surgery, excess breast tissue is removed, the breast is lifted and nipple/areola is typically made smaller. It is easiest to think of breast reduction as including the breast lift.
Schnur Sliding Scale is a scale used by many insurance companies as a guideline for how much breast tissue should be removed in order to improve your physical symptoms. In addition, most insurances in order to approve the surgery, will require for 2-3 letters of medical necessity (from your chiropractor, primary doctor, OBGYN, Dermatologist, etc) demonstrating that your physical symptoms due to large breasts are not improving with conservative management.
I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast Reduction surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question. Each Surgeon will have their own protocol when it comes to surgery and BMI. Insurances are all different and require different guidelines. I would suggest seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in person to evaluate you, discuss your options, gather the insurance information and make a plan. Best of luck to you.

Hello and thank you for your question.
You want to be at a healthy, stable weight prior to surgery. Check with your Insurance company to see if this is a covered benefit for you. Many Insurance companies cover this surgery, when medically necessary. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

At this time, being 5'1 and weighing 170 lbs your BMI is 32 and at 180 lbs your BMI is 34. You are in a range where doing surgery is acceptable. An insurance company may or may not cover your procedure depending on how many grams are removed. The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. This technique is not covered by insurance.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear mariaa123,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider surgery, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The more overweight you are, the more tissue is required to be removed in order for insurance to cover the procedure. It is always best to be close to your ideal weight for health reasons. Go ahead and lose weight. At 5'1", you should weight 100-110 pounds, but even 120 would be good. You may find you have little or no change in your breast size which will improve your chances of insurance covering the procedure.

When considering breast reduction it is best to be at a healthy weight, but sometimes that is not always possible. I encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss your interest in the procedure. You can contact your insurance carrier to see if breast reduction is a covered benefit and what criteria are needed for coverage as it varies carrier to carrier.

Hi, we can reduce and uplift your breast. Operation time 1.5 hours, painless. You can continue your life in a 10 days