American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
lapantera
2 years ago
Answered

Breast reduction

What should I look for in a surgeon for a breast reduction? Do insurances cover it? Also what is the best way to decide on breast reduction size for body?

Procedure: Breast Reduction
Location: san antonio, TX

Replies 4

Farhad Rafizadeh
ASPS Surgeon

You need a plastic surgeon with lots of experience doing breast surgery. Look at before and after pictures. Look at the shape of the breasts before and after. Insurance would cover the surgery if you and your surgeon can prove that the procedure is not cosmetic. They look at your height, weight and the amount of breast tissue to be removed. This will have an impact on the final size of the breasts.

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Michael Freedland
ASPS Surgeon

In my practice I see many patients that request breast reduction. You should of course start by finding a plastic surgeon that does a lot of breast surgery. It is typically recommended that you seek 3 consults to make sure that you feel comfortable with the surgeon, their technique and their experience.

With regard to insurance, different insurance have different criteria. For instance, BC/BS of Michigan requires 600 grams of tissue removal per breast to be considered medically necessary. While I understand that insurance companies do not want to pay for cosmetic surgeries, you should also be sure that the reduction that is proposed does not result in your breasts being too small, ultimately requiring a breast augmentation.

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Nelson Castillo

Thank you for sharing your question. I would use this website to find local certified doctors in your area with whom to consult. Based on an in-person examination of your tissues they can provide you the best information. Additionally speak to your insurance carrier to see if they cover the expense of the procedure and what criteria you would need to meet .

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Jose Accetta Filho
ASPS Int. Surgeon

Breast reduction depends on several factors. Age: The breast is made up of skin, gland and fat. From the age of 40, the gland undergoes a process called lipo replacement. Necessary to take into account: breast width, chest circumference, waist and hips. It is very important, before surgery, to be with the desired weight, as the loss or increase of more, or loss of 4.0 pounds can compromise the post-surgical result.

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