Breast Reduction Surgery Questions and Answers

Question:

I had a breast reduction about 6 years ago and now they are back. Insurance paid for it the first time and I just wondered can you have the surgery again and will insurance pay for it twice?

Answer:

Dear Emily, Each insurance company is different but if you have symptoms from your breasts being too large, again, the surgery should be covered.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I have cervical spondylosis with encroachment of nerve roots. Also have 44D bra size. Would you suggest breast reduction?

Answer:

Dear Marianne, The nerve problem in you neck has little to do with your breasts although some symptomatology may get interference from the neck problem. As long as anesthesia can be safely delivered, I would suggest the breast reduction in order to at least rid you of that additional strain.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

wonting to no about breast reduction,I have a stint and wonting to no the risk I take moneket 10MG for heartnorvasc2.5mg for blood preasure zoloft 50mglopid 600mg to lower blood lipids and estrace 2mg and asprin 1 a day

Answer:

Dear Sandra, I am not sure what type of stent you are talking about but you are certainly on a number of heart medications. I would suggest that you visit an internist and have a thorough physical examination prior to visiting with you local plastic surgeon. You will have to stop the aspirin and may have to substitute another medication for a short time prior to your surgery.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

i am a preop transgendered female....i am looking for a breast reduction before i go and get top surgery...can you please provide me with some info on what doctors dealing with this sort of situation. Are doctors less likely to perform this sort of surgery under these circumstances?thanks for yer time snd i hope to hear from someone soon...

Answer 1:

Dear Corey, There are few surgeons that perform transgender surgery, but there are many that perform the associated surgeries such as breast reduction/mastectomy. Most plastic surgeons can do this operations. Also, I think you might consider a general plan for your surgeries and that can be done through a center that performs transgender surgery. If you need more information,let me know Dr. Korman

Josh Korman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Mountain View, CA

Answer 2:

I agree with Dr. Korman, I would suggest that a coordinated approach is best and this should be done in a center specialized in this surgery.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

If a woman's breasts are completely different in size is this a birth defect? Would health insurance cover a breast reduction and lift?

Answer:

Dear Melissa, There are a number of developmental abnormalities of the breast such as tuberous breast deformity that some insurances will cover. You have to check with your insurance company and have a physician diagnose the breast deformity. There is a chance but many insurance companys consider breast deformities of any sort a cosmetic problem and not, therefore, covered.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

How can I remove scarring (rashes) under the breast from having too large breast (size 42 T approx. 50 inches); second question, is there a publication that list top plastic surgeons by speciality. I scar very easily.

Answer:

Dear Kimberley, It sounds as though you would benefit from breast reduction surgery. One of the insurance clauses to have coverage is the improvement in your problem (called intertrigo). You should be able to have at least part of the procedure covered by your insurance. There is no listing of plastic surgeons by the procedures that they perform or want to perform. Those plastic surgeons who are most interested in performing cosmetic rather than reconstructive procedures are usually members of ASAPS (American Society of Aethetic Plastic Surgeons). I would suggest that you simply ask the few surgeons in your area that you visit with how many breast reduction procedures they perform each month. If the answer is more than a few, you have an experienced breast reduction surgeon. I recall from my training that we performed at least 4 to 10 reductions per week during our training.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I had a breast reduction in January 2001. I went from an overflowing 40DD to a C cup. Prior to surgery I was told that some lipo is generally done given the shape of my breasts and where/how the reduction would be done. The lipo was to be done where the incision would stop beneath my arms and a small amount in the arm pit area itself. My reduction was covered by my insurance company since it was done for health reasons rather than cosmetic so the outcome causes me concern. Although the front of my breasts are noticeably smaller and are round for the most part, there does not appear to have been any lipo and there are rather squarish protrusions where my breasts previously began. Because of this shape, many bras don't fit properly and I am much more self-concious than I was before when they were too large and in the beginning stages of drooping. I am a bit overweight but was told it wasn't enough to warrant any weight loss pre-surgery so i'm concerned that they will be square even if I do lose weight. Is there anything that can be done now and if so, what procedure and what might it cost me? I am leery of returning to the doctor that did the reduction.

Answer 1:

It sounds like you could benefit from some additional liposuction. If you are not comfortable returning to the surgeon who did the first surgery, there are many excellent plastic surgeons all around. Good luck Josh Korman, M.D.

Josh Korman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Mountain View, CA

Answer 2:

Dear Cyndi, There are different ways of performing breast reduction surgery and those of us who do a lot of this type of surgery are very aware of the "boxy breast" problem which can result from the procedure being performed without this possible result in mind. It may be that liposuction alone will help the problem or that a revision of the outer portion of the reduction is required. I would suggest that you first revisit with the surgeon who performed the procedure and discuss these options with him/her. It may be that this was considered and that the breast may just need time to drop further to achieve a nice shape.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I'm about 50 lbs overweight and I am definitely getting a breast reduction. I was thinking about liposuction as well, now I knw lipo is not the solution for obesity but I've seen before and after pics of women who were larger than me and lipo really help them. There were great noticeable differnces. What is your opinion on this. Thank you in advance.

Answer:

Dear Tesha, Yes, liposuction can give great improvement to the body shape but it will not greatly reduce weight. Most of us feel that it should be limited to being performed on a few areas - for safety sake. There have been a number of deaths across the country due, in large part, to overly aggressive liposuction. Also, although for many people, liposuction can give a "kick-start" to weight reduction campaigns, it will not lead to the lifestyle changes that result in permanent weight loss and fitness.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Hi, I am really short (5') and am almost a 36 D breast size. I am extremly unhappy with my breast and after thinking about a reduction for over a year now, I have realized that I would really like to get one. I am not very overweight (130) and I am continuing to lose weight, but my breasts have not gone down in size. I was wondering if my size would be a good candidate for a reduction or am I not big enough? Also, I know that insurance covers some reductions and I was wondering if the amount that I would be reduced is enough to be covered (36D to a small B)? Thanks a lot!

Answer:

Dear Katherine, Each insurance company is different. Usually, they base coverage on the amount of tissue removed with a minimum being required. I would suggest that you visit with a plastic surgeon in your area and be examined. He or she will be able to give you an estimate on the amount of tissue which would need to be removed to reach your aesthetic goals. You could then check out this amount with your insurance company. Good luck - you will be very pleased as the vast majority of women are who have this procedure performed - especially those who are short waisted.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Are there any types of benign breast diseases/conditions that would require breast tissue removal? If so, have people with any of those such conditions had breast implant surgery for reconstruction?

Answer:

Dear Victoria, There are a number of benign breast tumors and cysts whose removal results in smaller breasts, but usually these are localized reductions of soft tissue and generalized augmentation helps little with the contour of specific areas.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

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