Fibrocystic breasts, 1000g reduction - is 1000g is an attainable amount that will still leave me with a least a handful?

Question

I am 5'6" 240lbs size 16 pant. My insurance requires 1000 grams per breast removed for the procedure to be considered medically necessary. I wear a properly fitted 38H and have dense fibrocystic breast tissue. The measurements taken at my consultation indicate an FNG will not be necessary. I'm not worried about have breast proportionate to my over all size. I'd like more opinions on if 1000 grams is an attainable amount that will still leave me with a least a handful.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Without an exam it is not possible to answer your question.  One thousand grams is a significant amount of tissue to have removed.  I encourage you to speak with a board certified plastic surgeon about what you can expect in terms of results if that much tissue is removed and how that matches up with your goals.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. It is unfortunate that they have to place a number on whats removed, to obtain insurance coverage since females have smaller frames and have large breasts for their frame but not enough to have insurance cover it. Im not sure how big your breast size is from the cup size alone. It would be difficult for me to determine whether or not 1000 g is too much. I would suggest looking up how much 1000g is.  1000grams is comparable to a 1000cc implant? which is very large and almost unobtainable to vast majority of patients. The dense tissue in your case ma just beneficial to help reach that weight. Speak to a plastic surgeon to assess you in person and go over your options.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear LaurieAnnTX,
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

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At 5'6 and 240 lbs, your BMI is 38.5 which puts you at high risk for complications.  You may want to consider liposuction of the breasts first.  At size 38, each 200 grams removed corresponds to 1 cup size change.  Removing 1000 grams would take you down 5 cup sizes.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

1000 grams per breast is twice what most insurance plans require. I would make sure they want 1000 grams per breast or in total. I have sld done a breast reduction removing that amount from each breast

Fibrocystic breasts, 1000g reduction - is 1000g is an attainable amount that will still leave me with a least a handful?

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Answer: BMI too high for surgery

Answer: BMI too high for surgery

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

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Fibrocystic breasts, 1000g reduction - is 1000g is an attainable amount that will still leave me with a least a handful?

Answers (7)

Answer: BMI too high for surgery

Answer: BMI too high for surgery

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.