I have 40M Breasts. At 21 years old, what should I do? Breast reduction, or possibly another problem? (Photo)

You did not say what your weight was 2.5 years ago. As you become more obese, so do your breasts enlarge, though that is not the only cause.Insurance coverage is virtually always related now to objective criteria of height, weight, and amount of breast tissue that will be required to be removed to fulfill the Schnur formula. All of the other symptoms are subjective, and every plastic surgeon knows what to write in the insurance prior-authorization letter. Which is why insurers went to objective (BMI) criteria.  Certainly you may qualify for "coverage," but based on your weight (since your height is "fixed'), you will have to have a significant amount of breast tissue removed in order to fulfill those criteria.Pain, chiropractic care, inability to lose weight, rashes under your breasts, grooves from your bra straps, and numbness from bra strap pressure on the nerves in your shoulders all are listed by plastic surgeons in their letters of prior authorization. But based on your height and weight, a number is calculated, and this is the MINIMUM amount of breast tissue that must be removed per breast in order to qualify for insurance coverage. Regardless of symptoms, exercise inability, etc.To answer your question, I would want you to see your primary physician and run a comprehensive set of tests to evaluate why your overall weight has reached this degree of obesity, not just the breast enlargement part of your anatomy. Even if your breasts are all gland and no fat, losing weight to a BMI of less than 30 will allow safer breast reduction surgery with fewer healing risks. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Good question. I always advise my patients to make sure that they have not changed in in breast size, height or weight for two years before they have surgery. That's because if you are still growing your surgical results could change. When you are done growing, your plastic surgeon will need to submit a letter to your insurance company describing your physical symptoms, the amount of tissue to be removed, and a picture of your breasts. The insurance company will then determine if your surgery will be covered as reconstructive or denied as a cosmetic procedure. I believe you would be a good candidate for a breast reduction and get a great deal of relief from the surgery. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear all the suffering you have as a result of your large breasts.  Weight reduction is generally a good idea, but it sounds like your breasts are affecting your ability to exercise and make the weight loss even harder.  Based on your description, you sounds like a candidate for breast reduction especially because of the back pain you have.  Whether insurance covers it is another issue as each company is different and has different criteria.  I would recommend speaking to a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and submit to insurance if applicable.  All the best, 

Thank you for your question and pictures.  I think that you would definitely benefit from a breast reduction and most of the time BCBS will cover the surgery.  Seek a consultation from a Board Certified PS.

Thank you for your question and photos. Yes! You are a #candidate for a #breast #reduction surgery. Candidates for #BreastReduction surgery
are women who wish to have smaller #breasts to achieve a more proportional
appearance or to alleviate physical discomfort. Breast reduction can correct
symptoms from excessively #largeheavybreasts that may cause the inability to do
certain exercises, or create back, shoulder and neck pain, poor posture,
bra-strap shoulder indentations and chafing or rashes under the breasts. Women
experiencing these discomforts may benefit from Breast Reduction, also called #ReductionMammoplasty.
Furthermore, large breasts may interfere with normal daily activities or
exercise and will be more comfortable when reduced. Women who feel that their
excessive breast size decreases a sense of attractiveness and self-confidence,
or results in unwanted attention are also candidates. In my opinion, it's important to be cleared for a #breastreduction by your primary physician. Best wishes to you!