Would breast reduction surgery benefit me and reduce chronic back and neck pain?

Question

I wear a size 38D cup. I've two spinal fusions; L4-Sacrum and C4-6. I stay as physically active and ride a recumbent bike regularly. I've nursed my four kids. I've chronic pain and I dislike taking pain meds due to the damage they do to my stomach. My first fusion was 15 years ago and I am facing additional surgery and hardware as I have two more bulging discs above my lumbar fusion. My question is do you believe a breast reduction would benefit me and mitigate the pain?

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

If you are a D cup and would be happy with a reduction of several hundred grams, it may be an option for you.  The amount reduced has to meet a minimum amount based on your height and weight.  It is important you are not unhappy with the smaller breast size however.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

While you might be a good candidate for a breast reduction, there is no guarantee that performing a reduction will alleviate your symptoms.  But it might.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast reduction should help to alleviate your back pain but, if you need spinal surgery, then under the circumstances I do not see it as a way of avoiding the additional surgery.  If you are a true D cup and do not have 500 grams of breast tissue to spare and keep you proportional, then reduction would not be covered by your insurance carrier. Best of luck.

John Newkirk, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

I have had a number of patients with chronic back pain from disc disease and many have benefited with a decrease in pain following a breast reduction. Since you wear a D cup bra, you are probably a candidate for surgery.

Would breast reduction surgery benefit me and reduce chronic back and neck pain?

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Would breast reduction surgery benefit me and reduce chronic back and neck pain?

Answers (4)

Answer: Back pain reduction after breast surgery.

Answer: Back pain reduction after breast surgery.

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