reduction surgery - ladies

[Tiggeroo]

if you wish to get breast reduction surgery and your insurance covers it under your particular circumstances, but you also need to lose weight,
You are working on the weight loss and when you lose weight you will lose breast weight. Do you lose the weight first or do the surgery first. Too much weight lost in the breast area might make you ineligible for the surgery with insurance coverage.

 

[Serena]

If the reduction is medically neccessary, then I'd go ahead and do it. Losing weight is iffy, and you might not lose it in your breasts.

 

[Tiggeroo]

reduction would be helpful but I won't die without it. I have spinal arthritis, the worst spot is the bra strap area. My back hurts alot. The weight loss is medically necessary as well, for this problem and general health.
The thing is after the surgery i'd like my 40yo twins to be in their proper place. This will be covered if it's done at that time. I wonder if that will still be the case if they will still be good if I get the surgery and then lose the weight.

 

[Serena]

I getcha, but I don't have an answer. I hope someone else does

 

[Mom2Em]

I don't have the answer for you about the whereabouts of your twins... If you have a surgeon in mind, I would go ahead and make an appointment to discuss the surgery with him/her... It does not mean you have to do it now... If it is a med nec procedure, insurance should cover no matter what...

 

[TiggerStac]

I'm one of the lucky ones when I lose weight, I never lose it in my chest. I am planning on having reduction about 1 year after having my son. My doctor and I have discussed it and she wanted me to wait until I was sure I was done with kids...and I am. I need to wait 1 year to lose some weight (baby weight and probably another 20-30lbs) and then to be eligible for FMLA again.

My mom had it done a few years ago. I have the same body type as her and she had to lose weight before her, per doctors/ins co orders. She never seemed to lose in her chest, either... She is so happy she did the surgery...has made a huge difference.

 

[Sherri]

if you wish to get breast reduction surgery and your insurance covers it under your particular circumstances, but you also need to lose weight,
You are working on the weight loss and when you lose weight you will lose breast weight. Do you lose the weight first or do the surgery first. Too much weight lost in the breast area might make you ineligible for the surgery with insurance coverage.

Most Doctors know how to word it for insurance. Go for a consultation and see what they say.
I have to say that I am so happy that I had it done. I am thrilled. My sister in law had it done and is miserable.
You say about needing to lose weight first.
That could be a catch 22. If you are big busted, the pain from back strain can stop you from exercising to your full capacity.
When I went to my family Doctor, I was straight forward. First the appointment was for back pain, which I was having. I told him point blank what the orgin of pain and cause was. He totally agreed and refered me to a plastic Surgeon. That was in March, I had the surgery in July.

 

[rie'smom]

Most women I know who wanted any type of procedure are encouraged to lose weight first. It's safer for the patient and easier for the surgeon.

 

[Sherri]

I wanted to add that a woman I work with had it done, she is quite short and very heavy. I am guessing her insurance paid for it.

 

[Hercules10]

Dang, ya'll unner-stood that? "Who's on first"?

My SIL had it done and her insurance wouldn't pay for it until she lost weight AND maintained the weight loss. Got nooooo idea why they do it like that.

 

[scanne]

I'm in the process of trying to get the procedure covered by insurance. I have been to my regular doctor about 6 times in the past 18 months complaining of back pain and shoulder dents from bra straps. I have to lose weight - that's the first requirement. He has also referred my to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in diagnosing necessary breast reduction surgery. I've lost about 5 pounds so far (just in a little over a week - Weight Watchers) BUT, DH and I are lightly thinking of having a third baby, so breast reduction might have to wait. We'll see.

Good luck to you!

 

[krcit]

I had a reduction 11 years ago, about a year after I had my first dd. I had lost about 17 lbs on WW after having dd, so I was 140 lbs at 5'4"-which is thin for me. The plastic surgeon wrote that I was 5'3" and 130 lbs to help get it ok'd by my insurance. I would lose the weight first if possible. Good luck. I am soooo happy with my surgery although I'm about ready for a 'lift", lol.

 

[ilovepcot]

I've had the procedure myself and have also worked for a reconstructive surgeon who performed these procedures.

Very often a woman who was a potential candidate for a reduction would inquire about losing weight first. In most instances, the doctor explained to the women that if they *qualified medically* for the procedure, there was little likelihood of losing enough weight in the breast area to jeopardize eligibility requirements where insurance was concerned. A *lot* of weight would have to be lost for that to happen and if it did, she most likely did not meet *medical* requirements to begin with...just was uncomfortable and wanted it for personal reasons.

Things may have very well changed since that time but this is what I heard my surgeon repeat over and over. He performed the procedures on some very obese woman and I know that many went on to trim their bodies down and get in good shape when their "obstacle" was removed.