Once I got into highschool, my breasts grew fast. And from that, I have had off and on back pain, but nothing too serious until about a week ago. I began having severe stabbing pains from my mid back, up through my shoulders and I am currently a size 38D and stand at 5'4", 150lbs Would it be better to get a breast reduction, or would a breast lift work about the same?
Usually health insurance will cover breast reductions for women with a bra size of DD or greater. They also usually require removal of breast tissue to drop your breast size down by about two cup sizes. At 150, your weight is a little higher than ideal, so if weight loss is possible, that would be the best place to start. Chiropractic evaluation might be helpful to determine what is causing this recent increase in your back pain. Both breast reduction and breast lifting have been shown to reduce back, neck, and shoulder pain. Unfortunately, breast lifting is considered "cosmetic" by insurers and patients have to pay for it out-of-pocket. See a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if you might qualify for surgery under your insurance, or what the cost might be if you opted for a lift.
It really would depend on what you wish. A breasst reduction reduces the size of your breasts to whatever you wish and it also results in an uplift and reshaping of your breasts while a breast uplift reshapes but minimally reduces your breasts. I do both of these as an outpatient under a general with a recovery usually of about two weeks.
Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Newport Beach, San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla
Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)
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Plastic Surgery- 2005-2018
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Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your pain. Unfortunately without an in-person examination of your tissues, or a full series of photographs, it is difficult to offer definite advice. Based on your measurements alone a breast lift with small reduction may be your best option.
A breast reduction would make your breasts smaller and lift them at the same time. A breast lift is done to lift the breasts into a more youthful position. Both can be effective with back pain. Obtain a face to face consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to be examined and discuss treatment options in detail.