Am I a good candidate for a breast reduction?

Dear srh224

With an "I" cup bra it seems you should certainly be a candidate for breast reduction surgery as a medically necessary procedure. Insurance companies vary in their coverage of reductions, and often have different criteria for approval.

Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who does a large number of breast reductions. In our practice, 80 % of patients are able to be qualified for insurance coverage.

Attached is some information on insurance.

Best of Luck
Dr. Romanelli

Large breasts can cause health issues. In addition to self-image issues, you may also experience physical pain and discomfort. The weight of excess breast tissue impairs your ability to live your daily life. I highly recommend a breast reduction surgery for anyone who is suffering physically and emotionally.

For an exact answer, we need to see your breasts. But if you feel back pain and if you are sure that this is because of your breasts, you can have your breast reduction operation.

It's understandable that you're considering a breast reduction given the physical and psychological issues you're experiencing. Many insurance companies do cover breast reduction surgery when it is deemed medically necessary, and your symptoms could potentially qualify you for coverage. Here’s how you can improve your chances of obtaining insurance coverage:
Document Your Symptoms: Keep detailed records of your physical symptoms, including the severity of your pain, posture issues, and any skin rashes. Document how these issues impact your daily life and activities.
Medical Documentation: Obtain a letter from your primary care physician or a specialist detailing your symptoms, the impact on your quality of life, and any conservative treatments you have tried (such as physical therapy or pain management) without success.
Consult with a Board-Certified Surgeon: Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reduction. They can provide a thorough evaluation and help document the medical necessity of the procedure.
Insurance Criteria: Review your insurance policy to understand the specific criteria for coverage. Insurance companies often require evidence of physical symptoms and failed conservative treatments. Some policies have specific requirements regarding the amount of tissue that needs to be removed.
Submit a Pre-Authorization Request: Your surgeon's office can help you with the process of submitting a pre-authorization request to your insurance company. This request will include all necessary documentation to support the medical necessity of the breast reduction.
Follow Up: Stay in contact with your insurance company to track the status of your request and address any additional information or documentation they may require.
By carefully documenting your symptoms and working with your healthcare providers to submit a comprehensive insurance claim, you can improve your chances of obtaining coverage for your breast reduction surgery. If you have any specific questions about the process or need assistance, your surgeon's office can provide valuable guidance.

Dear srh224,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello, with insurance breast reduction cases they can be tricky with getting covered. Even though you may have all these symptoms that you know are related to the large breasts, some insurances won't cover the surgery. The insurance will give out what they feel is an acceptable amount of breast tissue to be removed off your body height and weight. If you meet that requirement then they will pay for it. I think this is something worth looking into for yourself. Best of luck!

From your description you sound like a good candidate for a breast reduction. In addition to removing excess breast volume the surgery also will remove excess skin and lift the nipple position. The result is a shapely, smaller breast that is more proportionate to your frame. The next step is to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you. I've included a video on breast reduction surgery that I hope you find helpful.

Hello,

And thank you for the question.

Based on what you are describing and the fact that your large/heavy breasts are causing you physical symptoms, breast reduction is a good option for you.

During breast reduction surgery, excess breast tissue is removed, the breast is lifted and nipple/areola is typically made smaller. It is easiest to think of breast reduction as including the breast lift.

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, Dr. Karanetz

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Breast Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
(516) 833 0309
Oakland Gardens, New York

Thank you for your query. Based on the bra cup size you have mentioned and also your symptoms, you are certainly a candidate for breast reduction. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

At size 30 I, you may benefit from a breast reduction. Unfortunately, insurance companies have certain criteria that must be met, which are often times impossible to meet. You can have it done electively and the technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. This technique is not covered by insurance.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.