How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

Question

It's just that I am turning 18 soon, and with 34C breasts, I've gone through so much crap, emotionally and psychologically. I've tried losing weight (currently 117 lbs, 5'5") but that did nothing. In all honesty, I don't have regular neck/back pains which come with bigger breasts, but mine are disproportionate to my body, saggy-ish, and I just want to know if it's available to me, because of my lack of physical 'symptoms' - preferably prior to university, but I realise it might be too soon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the physical and psychological problems your disproportionately large breasts have caused for you.  Your description is consistent with a young lady who may benefit from a relatively small breast reduction or breast lift at some point.  Unfortunately, without viewing photographs,  you will find that online consultants will not be able to provide you with meaningful specific advice. Ultimately, in person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will be necessary. Careful measurements, careful planning, and careful communication will be key.  Based on your description, it is unlikely that insurance companies will cover the procedure; however, best to be evaluated in person for more accurate/reliable information/predictions. You may find the attached link, dedicated to breast reduction surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Insurance authorization is based on objective criteria. You can get a copy of the criteria from your insurance company.Insurance companies almost universally require us to remove a certain amount of tissue in order for the procedure to be considered medically necessary.This amount often correlates with a patient's weight or height and weight.In a small person, this may be around 400 g to 450 g.Earlier this week, I did a breast reduction on a patient who weighed 203 pounds. The requirement was that I remove 600 g of breast tissue per side.Had she weighed 190 pounds, I would have had to remove 550 g.In her case, I removed 620 g from one side and 750 g from the other side. One side was obviously larger than the other.It is possible for an insurance company to deny payment if insufficient breast tissue was removed during the procedure.This is where experience on behalf of the plastic surgeon is critical.Your surgeon needs to assess the size of your breasts, how much tissue is reasonable to remove and what size breasts you will have afterwards and if they are consistent with what would make you happy.In general, women who have had excessively large breasts are happy with a much smaller cup size.Breast reductions are proven to give great benefits to a patient's quality of life.It is an operation that consistently gives some of the highest satisfaction to patients of any procedure we do as plastic surgeons.Consult with one or more experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

James M. Kurley, MD (retired) · Answer

Pauline, That is a great question that does not have a simple answer. The answer, from an insurance standpoint in the United States, varies from company to company. They usually have a minimum volume of tissue removal they require before they will consider it medically necessary. Your situation sounds a little different from that. A lift, with limited tissue removal, sounds to be what might be the best choice for you. You would need to be evaluated by a qualified Plastic Surgeon before a proper course of action could be undertaken. I hope this answer will help guide toward the next step, a proper consultation.

Mark Edinburg, MBBCH, FRACS (retired) · Answer

Hello Pauline and thank you for your question.In my practice, over 20 years, I have found that women with large breasts are quite traumatised(as you sound) by this problem. And if they are traumatised and my assessment shoes no medical reason not to have the surgery, then they are generally delighted with the results and the relief obtained.It sound from your contact that you may be a good candidate. In the end, a detailed face-to-face consult with an experienced Plastic Surgeon will give you the opportunity to ask your question and express your concerns. It will also give you the opportunity to receive an opinion from an expert in the field. Talk to him, discuss with him, get the information. Then you are better equipped to make an informed decision.I hope you have supportive family. Take one of them with you to the consult so that you can both hear the information and discuss it afterwards.I trust this has been of value for you and wish you well.

Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS - Account Suspended · Answer

Many thanks for the question.I can see that you do need some help.The simple answer is what you think about yoruself.If you think they should be smaller for your figure than you are a candidate for breast reduction.I wish you good luck.

How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

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Answer: Size of breasts to justify breast reduction

Answer: Size of breasts to justify breast reduction

Answer: How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

Answer: How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

Answers (5)

Answer: Size of breasts to justify breast reduction

Answer: Size of breasts to justify breast reduction

Answer: How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

Answer: How "big" do your breasts have to be to be able to get a breast reduction?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.