17yo DD wants elective surgery!

[angierae]

Thanks for the info! I have been thinking of it. I'm trying to lose weight and my new doctor would like to see if that will make a difference. Personally I'm not so sure that losing weight will take enough off the breasts to make a difference. But I do need to lose weight regardless.



How does a family history of breast cancer come into play with getting approval for a reduction? Does a breast reduction reduce the odds of cancer? Or is it something else? My mom went through breast cancer.

Basically, if you have less breast tissue, there's less to develop the cancer. It does't actually lower your odds, but there's less tissue to worry about. Also, they generally biopsy any tissue removed, and i know of at least two people on the BR support board I read who were diagnosed with cancer as a direct result of their reduction and are now doubly happy they had the surgery.

 

[DISdreamin']

Did anyone here need a reduction as a result of pregnancy hormones? This was my experience. I was normal size before pregnancy, added many sizes during pregnancy, and gained even more the week after birth and none of it went away. I had my reduction a year after my son was born and never chanced another pregnancy for fear it would happen again (as warned by my doc) and insurance might deny me a second surgery (as warned by the insurance co).

Oh, YEAH to the hormone story! I was a 34D when I got pregnant with my first, somewhere beyond a 34DDD when I got pregnant with my second (I could still squish - literlally - into a 34DDDD reducing bra), and after I had my second I finally leveled off at 34J to K, depending on the style. I felt horrible and freakish. I couldn't wear normal clothes, my top sizes were far and away disproportional with bottoms. Forget about squeezing into a bathing suit. It was just not right. I had to order bras online - noone here carried anything remotely large enough.

So yes, I feel your pain, quite literally.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

Oh, YEAH to the hormone story! I was a 34D when I got pregnant with my first, somewhere beyond a 34DDD when I got pregnant with my second (I could still squish - literlally - into a 34DDDD reducing bra), and after I had my second I finally leveled off at 34J to K, depending on the style. I felt horrible and freakish. I couldn't wear normal clothes, my top sizes were far and away disproportional with bottoms. Forget about squeezing into a bathing suit. It was just not right. I had to order bras online - noone here carried anything remotely large enough.

So yes, I feel your pain, quite literally.

You poor thing! Thank you for letting me know a second pregnancy probably would have been disasterous. I guess I was smart to stop at one.

 

[JerseyTink]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement! We've been to the surgeon for a consult. He took measurements, markings, photos etc. He feels it's a no-brainer but says that BC/BS is the hardest ins company to deal with for this particular surgery. He is a private Dr from a Plastic Surgery Practice not a surgical center or anything. His assistant said she will submit everything to ins co for the pre-approval but some of you are saying I should call them? Should I? or should I let them handle it? I don't know what or what not to say LOL - I don't want to jeopordize anything.

Thanks again!!!!

Unless your doctor's office says otherwise, let them try to get the pre-approval. They should notify you of the insurance company's decision. If it is denied, you may have to call the insurance company. But, check with the doctor's office first to make sure it will not interfere with any appeals they may be planning. You may have to keep at it and be persisitant. Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Best of luck!!!

 

[sherreis]

I haven't read the whole thread but based on what you've written and what you're daughter has tried, I would approve the surgery. That's what I do for a living. Pre-certification. Are you taking her to a breast surgeon? Or, a plastic surgeon? I would recommend a breast surgeon.

They are going to know exactly what the insurance company wants as medical necessity. Make sure that every time you go to the doctor, she complains of the problems - the back pain, shoulder pain, numbness, tingling, chaffing, that she is wearing good bras. Conservative measures include things like chiropractor, Physical Therapy - in other words- measures to address the pain that are conservative compared to surgery.

My sister is 65 yrs old and just had the surgery done in September. I am 53 yrs old and planning on it for next year. Right now, I have to work on losing weight as part of my conservative measures.

Good luck with her!

 

[Piecey]

Basically, if you have less breast tissue, there's less to develop the cancer. It does't actually lower your odds, but there's less tissue to worry about. Also, they generally biopsy any tissue removed, and i know of at least two people on the BR support board I read who were diagnosed with cancer as a direct result of their reduction and are now doubly happy they had the surgery.

This exactly.

My grandmother died of breast cancer, and my mother had it twice (30, 37) She actually took me to the plastic surgeon who rebuilt for her after her second mastectomy, so he was familiar with her history.

My pre-surgery mammogram showed a spot of concern. Spot compressions didn't clarify so they wanted to biopsy, but surgeon looked at the film and said he'd be cutting that area out and he'd make sure that went to pathology. It was all fine, which was obviously a relief

 

[IDoDis]

My friend's DD had breast reduction surgery when she was 16. She's 20 now and doesn't regret it. The surgery got approved by the health insurance company.

A very close friend of mine had the surgery when she was 18 (30 years ago). Her breasts have not gotten larger over the years.

I considered the surgery after I had my 2nd child. My doctor said he could help me get the surgery approved by my insurance company, but I decided to wait until my DS was a little older so that he would not be running into my chest after the surgery (like toddlers do). But then I never had it done. I just got over the idea.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know why the insurance thinks going to a chiro or physical therapy is MANDATORY to be considered for coverage? It wont make her breasts any smaller!

Because they will help make her body stronger, which could help her not have so many problems.



I know that not every teen was like me, already dreaming of the time I would nurse my babies, but still, make sure she really understands the possible implications of naturally feeding future babies. For ME, it would never be a chance I would take. Amd considering how big my chest got while pregnant, I definitely know what it feels like to have problems up top! I spent the last hald of my pregnancy dreaming of attaching a small crane to my back to hold them up with the help of pulleys....two weeks post conception-time I'd gone up TWO cup sizes and didn't stop there... So I know the pain, but the risk wouldn't have been worth it to ME. Make sure she really understands. Along with the other risks of surgery of course.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for the info! I have been thinking of it. I'm trying to lose weight and my new doctor would like to see if that will make a difference. Personally I'm not so sure that losing weight will take enough off the breasts to make a difference. But I do need to lose weight regardless.



How does a family history of breast cancer come into play with getting approval for a reduction? Does a breast reduction reduce the odds of cancer? Or is it something else? My mom went through breast cancer.

With extremely large breasts, it's very difficult for a physician to give a thorough physical breast exam.

Just want to say I'm a mammographer at a large Phila hospital and talk to many ladies & see a lot of breasts every day. It's my own little personal research "survery" you might say but many ladies who get implants later regret it, saying "Oh my husband at the time thought it was a good idea." etc. I don't ask them; they offer it. OTOH, I do ask ladies who've had reductions if they ever regret it and only once in 12 yrs has someone actually regretted it due to problems with scarring. Probably hundreds have said they wish they had done it sooner.
Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side.
PM me if you'd like a 2nd opinion dr. We have an awesome group who did my mom & sister's reconstruction post mastectomy. We feel fortunate to have access to such great docs in our area.

Good luck with your dd and getting insurance approval.

 

[Evi]

I do understand your daughters pain. But and this is a big but due to her age and how young she is I encourage you to find a plastic surgery who will not only give her a reduction but perhaps a lift and will leave her with a beautiful result. Many hospitals that do breast reductions do to pain etc are not exceptionally concerned with esthetics. Perhaps I'm wording that incorrectly but I knew a women who had a reduction and she explained how she had to search for a doctor because some didn't seems too concerned with after surgery esthetics. Where she is so young I think she should be very comfortable with her after surgery breasts not just how they feel in a bra.

Just my opinion. If it were my daughter I would want her to have no regrets and be happy with the end result.

 

[bucket o' butter]

I had a friend who was very well-endowed from a young age. She was having back issues by her late teens and her parents spoke with a surgeon. It was recommended to them for her to wait until she was finished having children because pregnancy weight gain usually adds to the breast size. So, she did wait and eventually did have the surgery when she was about 35 and insurance paid for it. Her surgeon was willing to do the surgery, but almost guaranteed that he would have to re-do it later on.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I do understand your daughters pain. But and this is a big but due to her age and how young she is I encourage you to find a plastic surgery who will not only give her a reduction but perhaps a lift and will leave her with a beautiful result. Many hospitals that do breast reductions do to pain etc are not exceptionally concerned with esthetics. Perhaps I'm wording that incorrectly but I knew a women who had a reduction and she explained how she had to search for a doctor because some didn't seems too concerned with after surgery esthetics. Where she is so young I think she should be very comfortable with her after surgery breasts not just how they feel in a bra.

Just my opinion. If it were my daughter I would want her to have no regrets and be happy with the end result.

I am confused. I thought a lift was part of the reduction. Never heard of a surgeon not trying to give you something remotely close to a natural looking breast. If you remove that much tissue, obviously skin would need to be removed and the nipple repositioned.

 

[mjkacmom]

I am confused. I thought a lift was part of the reduction. Never heard of a surgeon not trying to give you something remotely close to a natural looking breast. If you remove that much tissue, obviously skin would need to be removed and the nipple repositioned.

I wouldn't worry about this issue, when using a plasic surgeon. They usually have big egos, and want nothing more than to make sure you look amazing! A lift is naturally a big part of the reduction, with repositioning of the nipples. At the consult, you will be shown before and after pictures of other women. Nothing perkier that post breast reduction breasts! I loved being able to go bra-less!

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I think this thread is a good example of getting too personal online.
Just wondering, does your daughter know that this thread exists? If it were me and my parents were talking about my personal life online like this I would be pretty upset about it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It's all anonymous anyway. Ok, so now the whole world knows that there's a 17 yr old in NJ who wants a breast reduction. It's not she's putting this on Facebook.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I wouldn't worry about this issue, when using a plasic surgeon. They usually have big egos, and want nothing more than to make sure you look amazing! A lift is naturally a big part of the reduction, with repositioning of the nipples. At the consult, you will be shown before and after pictures of other women. Nothing perkier that post breast reduction breasts! I loved being able to go bra-less!

I have had a reduction, so I know about the consult, procedure, etc. This is not a new procedure, only modified over the decades to reduce number of scars, and wondering what doctor doing such a surgery would not at least understand the basics, which includes a lift (as mentioned in that previous post). I know that people who have extra skin and want implants to make them look fuller might receive a lift for better result (perkiness), but a lift with reduction is automatic and absolutely necessary.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I think this thread is a good example of getting too personal online.
Just wondering, does your daughter know that this thread exists? If it were me and my parents were talking about my personal life online like this I would be pretty upset about it.

She has big breasts and I doubt that is a huge secret. It is not like she can hide them. Even the surgery won't be a secret, because once she goes back to school flatter, people are going to notice. That is a level of personal that is not so personal, if you know what I mean. I did not have my surgery until age 22 and was not a larger size until after a pregnancy, but I had a friend in high school who was large and I know what everyone said about her. They took her last name and modified it to reference the size of her breasts and that is what they called her. She had a reduction in 12th grade and obviously, everyone noticed. The names stopped. The rumors stopped. I am sure the content of this parent's medical inquiry on line is far less damaging emotionally than what some of the guys at school are texting about her right now. I think this thread has been very informative and covered stuff a surgeon might not talk about in depth. It is a surgery not to be taken lightly, especially at such a young age before having children.

 

[krcit]

I had a friend who was very well-endowed from a young age. She was having back issues by her late teens and her parents spoke with a surgeon. It was recommended to them for her to wait until she was finished having children because pregnancy weight gain usually adds to the breast size. So, she did wait and eventually did have the surgery when she was about 35 and insurance paid for it. Her surgeon was willing to do the surgery, but almost guaranteed that he would have to re-do it later on.

I had my reduction after having my first child. I then went on to have 2 more. My breasts grew but to nowhere near what they had been. I think the OP's dd should get it done soon. Why be miserable and uncomfortable for years?? I wish I had had mine when I was 19 or 20 instead of 26.

 

[krystalleigh1]

I didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this is a repeat.

I hope that your DD can have it done. I too was big in High school (not as big as your DD) and I know the self image issues it can cause. Not to mention back pain. It's not something I would wish on anyone.

Also, I wanted to mention (and I'm definitely not an expert here) that when you consult a plastic surgeon, make sure you ask about future breastfeeding problems. I have heard that there is a way to do a reduction and still leave the majority of the mammary glands in-tact so that breastfeeding later in life is possible. But there are other ways where it's impossible (or at least very difficult). I know it's a little early to be thinking about that, but in 10 years she may be glad you did.

 

[horseshowmom]

As the previous poster said, I haven't read the whole thread - just wanted to add my experience here.

I had the surgery about 35 years ago(I was about 18 - completely covered by my dad's insurance. At that time, it was covered if a certain weight amount was removed (I think in my case it was 5 lbs. but don't remember for sure). It was definitely a worthwhile surgery.