I'm a 38G/H, insurance requires min 819g per breast removed to cover. About what size would I end up?

Question

Currently a 38G/H and struggling with severe, chronic neck/shoulder/back pain and poor posture that is non-responsive to PT, etc. I would like to be reduced down to a DD-ish; however, the scale the insurance provides says I have to have 819g per breast removed to be covered. About where would that leave me? Do I have any recourse to advocate for less tissue to be removed, based on the fact that I am obese and therefore my body surface area is pretty high.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Bra cup size varies with the bra manufacturer. There is no direct correlation between the amount of tissue removed and the ultimate cup size that a patient will be after BR surgery. The use of photographs of “goal” pictures can be helpful when you and your plastic surgeon are discussing your desired size.

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello, Thank you for the question. 
Schnur Sliding Scale is used as guideline for how much breast tissue should be removed, but it is just an estimate. If you have very large and heavy breasts, removing 800 grams should still leave adequate volume behind. It is difficult to predict the exact cup size, but I typically tell my patients that the goal should be for the breasts to be proportionate with the rest of the body. 
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 KaranetzFellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

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I'm a 38G/H, insurance requires min 819g per breast removed to cover. About what size would I end up?

Answers (2)

BREAST REDUCTION PROVIDERS NEAR YOU