I am 5'3", 160 pounds and my breasts are a size 34DD. Am I candidate for a breast reduction?

Hello and thank you for your question.
It sound like you may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery. The best thing to do is to schedule a in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best of luck!

The best way to determine what your breast size should be with respect to your anatomy and give true advice would be an in-person exam with a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of breast procedures annually. No direct correlation exists with cup sizes. A PS cannot guarantee that a breast will be a specific cup size after reduction. Very large breasts rarely are reduced by more than two or three "cup" sizes.
Not only does proportion depend upon the aesthetic balance of your breasts with your shoulders, waist, hips, and buttocks, but also upon your objectives, active lifestyle, soft tissue quality, muscular anatomy, and long-term concerns. There is also a limit to how small you can go due to tissue that needs to be retained for the nipple/areola to maintain a good blood and sensory nerve supply.

At size 34 DD, it is unlikely that insurance will cover a breast reduction. However, you can undergo a lift/reduction using 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.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello, It is challenging to tell without photographs what exact surgery you are a candidate for, but it sounds like Breast Reduction would benefit you. Sometimes it isn't about removing a tremendous amount of breast tissue, but simply lifting the breasts into a more proper position on the chest wall can be relieving. Good luck on your journey! I would advise consulting with a plastic surgeon to determine which plan is right for YOU!

It does sound like you would benefit from a breast reduction. I can’t tell you however if your insurance will cover it. If you want insurance to cover it you should call them a find out the steps you need to take.

Dear ally940,breast reduction is best suited for women who wish to decrease the size of their breasts. While there are different techniques used to perform this surgery, I prefer the vertical incision (lollipop pattern) breast reduction technique instead of the anchor scar pattern, which reduces more noticeable scarring than usual. I also use a SAFE liposuction technique to reduce additional fat around the stubborn axilla area and bra line. This way, my patients are achieving beautiful results with minimal incisions which reduces downtime and delivers an overall better breast shape long term.If you are considering breast reduction surgery, you should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and make sure your surgeon understands your goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

From your description it does seem you would be a candidate for a breast reduction. The procedure would remove excess volume, reducing the weight on your neck, back, and shoulders. Part of the procedure includes a breast lift which would raise the position of the nipple and correct sagging. I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

By just hearing your symptoms alone you seem to be a good candidate for a breast reduction but other factors do play a role such as BMI, past medical history, current breast exam, ect... Make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to get a full exam and go over all your options.

If you want a reduction, you may have one if you have no medical issues that would interfere. If you want your insurance to cover this, you may want to discuss this first with your insurance company to see what they require. You should also meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss what can be done.

Thank you for the question and you do sound like a candidate for a breast reduction. So go on some consultations with experts and compare recommendations after a full examination and discussion of desired results and look at photos of similar patients and become fully informed about the desired procedure

Dr Corbin