I'm 64 years old and am currently on a lifestyle change journey. I'm eating healthy foods and have hired a personal trainer to design a workout for me. When I lose all the weight I want to lose, I will still see saggy breasts hanging there whenever I look in the mirror.
I would like to hear from others who have had breast reduction surgery for aesthetic reasons. What has your experience been?
A breast reduction usually envolves dropping at least two cup sizes. A breast lift or mastopexy usually envolves dropping at least 1/2 of a cup size. Both procedures normally include a lift. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
Breast reduction is not considered aesthetic, although the results should be. Commercial insurance will usually cover the operation if you meet their criteria, and prior approval will be requested by your surgeon. At age age 65 you will presumably go on Medicare. Federal Medicare does not give prior approval, but does conduct retrospective determination to decide if the operation should have been covered. If not, it will recoup the payment from the surgeon, which is one reason many surgeons are reluctant to operate on Medicare patients if there is any doubt as to whether the procedure will be covered. Medicare Advantage plans usually give prior approval, but any Medicare payment-Federal or advantage-is usually less than what a commercial policy will pay. Of course, if money is not an issue...See Dr. Culbertson's remarks. Bear in mind that the scarring from breast reduction is extensive; the trade-off is an improvement in contour.