I am 57 year old female with spinal stenosis. I wear size 48-50D. Can breast reduction help?

Question

One doctor recommended breast reduction as well as surgery for low back. Will breast reduction be helpful for the spinal stenosis?

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD · Answer

Breast reduction will make the upper back, neck and shoulders feel better. Sometimes the changes in posture can help alleviate lower back as well. It looks like you are a good candidate for a reduction and will,definitely receive a great benefit from it. It may not help the from the stenosis though.

Josef Hadeed, MD, FACS · Answer

A breast reduction may help to improve your posture, but it is difficult to say whether it will improve spinal stenosis.  It might be helpful to consult with a spine specialist.  Best wishes.

Benjamin Van Raalte, MD · Answer

Yes it can help. Aggravating factors can make neck pain and nerve problems worse. But obviously breast reduction will not cure or help the spinal stenosis. More weight though on a problem area does not help and contributes to symptoms and may decrease pain. I would ask your neurologist for their opinion on your xrays, if severe, they may state it may not help.By itself, without spinal stenosis, breast reduction surgery has a 95% improvement in upper neck pain. But I do not know of studies combined with spinal stenosis.The difficulty will be insurance coverage. Most companies require amounts to be resected and a D cup might not be large enough, even going to a B cup, depending on your current  weight. Many use variations of the Schnur scare that require a certain amount of weight to be removed depending on your body BMI. It still can be done but then as a self pay outside of the hospital.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, your situation is more complicated than most patients seeking breast reduction surgery. It behooves you to be seen by well trained/experienced plastic surgeons to get the best advice in person.  Generally speaking, breast reduction surgery tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.Based on your description it seems that you have a significant problem with spinal stenosis (that should be worked up and treated by a spine specialist  prior to seeking additional modalities of relief such as breast reduction surgery).  In other words, it seems to me that the spine issues should be addressed and optimized prior to any breast surgery.You are correct in that the breast reduction surgery ( for the carefully/appropriately selected patient) may help with spinal pain and posture and may make physical therapy easier.I am hopeful that you have a  board-certified plastic surgeon who is able to coordinate your care with your spine specialists. Best wishes.

James H. Scheu, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Sorry you have such a tough go with your back. Most women with overly-large breasts do have some back pain, but usually in the thoracic spine and shoulders. Still, having a breast reduction could help your back in general. Your insurance company may cover the surgery, but it will depend not only on your back pain status (as there is another reason for the pain) and your bra size, but also your height and weight figure into the equation for most insurers. So, see your local board-certified plastic surgeon for an examination and his/her opinion on whether this would be good for you. Good luck with your surgery.

I am 57 year old female with spinal stenosis. I wear size 48-50D. Can breast reduction help?

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