Breast Reduction, Insurance Coverage, and weight - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

redbedhead · 05-07-2002, 11:31 PM

Hi everyone! I am presently a full DD- and in all honesty for some reason the last month or two- my breasts seem to have gotten larger. It is odd- because I have lost weight. My experiences in the past were that the fist place I gain or loose weight is in the breast area. I am a bit overweight right now (size 14) but even when I was a size 8 or 10 I still had a full D cup. I have wanted to have breast reduction since I reached a D cup. Nothing ever fits right...etc...etc...it hurts to exercise- I can't run. I do have a large bone structure- so I have not really had much pain in the back/shoulders area- yet. I am 34 and I expect as I get older it might get worse. I don't have any children- but I can only imagine what will happen to "them" when I decide to get pregnant- and I would like to have a child before I am 36. I have a ton of questions, but I am all ready to go ahead with the surgery- regardless of scars, pain, etc. I am sure it would be all worth it. I am more concerned about finding a good surgeon and the cost. I have pretty good insurance- but is it standard that they pay for something like this? Is there a procedure I would need to follow in order to be approved by my insurance company? How much does insurance usually pay-if it is proved to be medically necessary? and....how much would it cost---ballpark figure??? My husband and I don't have the extra cash to pay for it- if it is up around a thousand (apart from insurance) or more. Can something like this be financed??? And....is it even worth my time to go to a doctor- since I need to loose some weight. Will they just tell me to loose weight and see what happens- even though I know I will never be smaller than a D cup. Thanks for reading and for any advice!

evdld · 05-08-2002, 12:33 AM

hi! i had my reduction done in 1994 and am definitely happy with it. my insurance paid for the whole thing (so i don't really have any idea how much the total cost was), and i think if you can show that it contributes to back/neck/shoulder pain, they should pay for it. this is something that your doctors office should help you with; my doc pre-certified the whole thing so we knew it would be covered before it was scheduled.

you dont' sound grossly overweight, so i really don't think the docs will say anything to you about that. i noticed that after i had my reduction, i shed some weight over the next year, as my body seemed to be resizing itself more in line with my new proportions. i would say the worst part was getting really sick from the anesthesia. not to say that i wasn't sore while they healed (i can't even remember how long it was... a month maybe?) and that it was tough to sleep on my back for a long time (i'm a stomach sleeper)... but the ability to wear whatever i want (and sometimes go braless!) and get pretty bras to fit, and bathings suits, and button-down shirts.. it's awesome! also, i have to say it took a long time for the scars to fade, and you can still definitely see them on me (i am very pale) but all, in all, definitely worth it. i say go for it for sure. hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by evdld (edited 05-08-2002).]

Jewliz13 · 05-08-2002, 11:08 AM

I am 18 years old, and I got my breast reduction done in Dec of last year, so almost 5 months ago....and I have never been happier in my whole entire life!! I was a large DD and went down to a full B cup.....in all 3 pounds taken out! As the girl above my insurance ( well my moms ) paid for the WHOLE thing. I saw the bill for it though and it was about 6,000 in all. IT IS SO WORTH IT IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT!! Here is my experience : I had never had surgery before so for me that was the scariest part. I must say this: The only time I EVER felt alot of pain was when I FIRST woke up from the surgery, just because it was so different from when I went to sleep. When I was wheeled back to my hospital room after being in the recovery room, whenever I sat up I IMMEDIETLY felt a huge relief off of my chest! I looked in the mirror and saw how little the bra they had on me was and I just wanted to cry! The owrst thing about the whole surgery was getting sick from the anesthia. I would have to say on a scale of 1-10 on the pain, it would be about a 1 at the most...more than anything it was just uncomfortable...I couldn't lift your arms, and I just felt like I needed to protect them. Also, I had to sleep on my back for the longest time. It was the strangest feeling the first time I took a shower, I crossed my arms in front of me to protect them! I took some pain medication at first because they told me too, but after day 1 I didn't take anything, not even tylenol. I was up and about 2 days later, I was just careful about what I did. I ordered a tube top bathing suit on the internet and just got it and it fit me!!! I was so happy!! I would go with the advice about having a few VERY comfortable sports type bras that snap in the front, also I put vitamin E oil on my scars everyday. I LOVE MY BREASTS NOW!! My PS did such a beautiful job!! I hope this helped, if you have any more specific questions, I will be happy to help!!!!