Is removing 1,000 grams from each breast reasonable for a 38H breast reduction? (Photos)

Question

I’m 25 years old, 5’3”, around 179 lbs, and currently wear approximately a 38H. I’m pursuing a medically necessary breast reduction because of back/shoulder discomfort and other symptoms from having large breasts. My insurance (Aetna) is requiring my surgeon to remove approximately 1,000 grams from EACH breast for coverage. My previous surgeon felt that amount was more than she wanted to remove and estimated closer to 700 grams per breast. I would personally be comfortable with a significant reduction and would ideally like to end up around a B/C cup rather than a D. I understand cup size cannot be guaranteed. For someone with my height, weight, and starting breast size, is a 1,000-gram reduction from each breast generally feasible while still maintaining a natural breast shape? Would I likely still have a reasonable amount of breast tissue remaining? Are there additional concerns with nipple/blood supply or complications when removing this amount? I’m getting another consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon and would like to understand whether the 1,000-gram requirement itself is unusually aggressive for someone my size.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Thank for your question, some policy includes a clause stating that any reduction removing more than 1,000 grams per breast is automatically deemed medically necessary, regardless of BSA. It is common for initial insurance pre-authorizations or automated reviews to incorrectly apply this blanket 1,000-gram rule rather than calculating your specific BSA threshold. we suggest you to explore your options and evaluated your options.
Dr. Luis Mejia
Let's make it better

Kelly Schultz, MD · Answer

Hello! Based on the height and weight you provided, a requirement of 1,000 grams from each breast does sound quite aggressive. Using those measurements, your estimated body surface area would generally correspond to a substantially lower resection weight on the Schnur scale (roughly in the 475–500 gram range per breast). I would ask your surgeon to confirm the requirement directly with Aetna and make sure your height, weight, and calculated body surface area were entered correctly.
From your description, a reduction in the 500–700 gram range per breast may potentially provide a significant reduction and could be more consistent with your goal of a smaller, proportionate breast size. However, the appropriate amount cannot be determined from height, weight, and bra size alone. An in-person examination is important to assess your breast volume, tissue distribution, skin envelope, and anatomy.
Removing 1,000 grams per breast may certainly be technically possible in some patients, but I would not recommend removing additional tissue solely to satisfy an insurance requirement if doing so would compromise the breast size, shape, or result that is appropriate for your anatomy. Larger reductions can also place greater demands on maintaining blood supply to the nipple-areola complex, although the actual risk depends on your anatomy and the surgical technique used.
I think getting another consultation with a board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeon is very reasonable. I would specifically ask them to independently calculate your anticipated resection weight and verify Aetna's requirement before making a surgical plan.
Wishing you the best of luck!

Is removing 1,000 grams from each breast reasonable for a 38H breast reduction? (Photos)

Answers (2)

More Breast Reduction Questions

46 P - What is the smallest size I could achieve with a breast reduction?

Can you have a breast reduction using liposuction only?

Do I need a free nipple graft based on my ptosis? (Photos)

Notch to nipple distance of 40cm - will I need a full nipple graft?

Is it too early to get a breast reduction and lift at 20 years old?

Bellesoma breast reduction/lift or auto augmentation? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS