Breast Reduction?

suzanne4, RN · Jun 24, 2005

If it is done for health reasons, it is usually covered by most medical insurance plans.

Kimmi73 · Jun 24, 2005

I had a breast reduction or also known as a mammoplasty in 2001. At the time I was 21 years old. Sounds like my body type was much like your daughter's. Although you never mentioned her height. I am barely 5'2. I was around 140lbs. I had constant pain in my shoulders and lower back. I never regret having my surgery! It's one of the best things I decided to do besides pursue nursing. :) My insurance or rather my parents was a conservative HMO and I had to go through many things before it was approved. I first tried anti inflammatory meds, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic visits, and massage. Wondering if I left anything out? haha Finally after a year and half my insurance approved the surgery. I had about 1.5 total taken out. I had an excellent surgeon. Hope this helps and if you ever want to talk let me know.

BTW I was so big I barely knew my corect size too. I think I was about a 40 or 42 DD. My friends always joke that I should've shared my excess. :chuckle

Good Luck! Oh one more thing it is vital to exercise and eat healthy. Of course... it's hard to work out when you are running the risk of getting to black eyes when you jog! Another benefit of having it done was to improve my life and to work out. But with your daughters chosen profession it maybe something to consider. I can't imagine not having it done and working as a nurse!

My daughter will be 19 next month. She is very well endowed for her body type. She has never been properly fitted for a bra but yesterday she tried on a 38D and it is now too small. They just seem to be getting bigger. She weighs about 155 which she would like to lose about 15lbs. but when she does take off pounds it doesn't come off in that area. The other problem is the back pain she has had since freshman year. She does have a medical condition that a few vertabrae do not line up. She has back pain almost all the time. She goes to a chiropracter on a regular basis and has for years, he has even told us to consider letting her have a breast reduction that it might help. She brought this subject up yesterday. I don't think our insurance will cover it because they consider it elective surgery. I do know a friend who has the same insurance and she fought with them and was able to have it done. I'm going to talk to her this weekend. I guess I am looking for some feedback on this whole thing. If you have you any info that could help us out I would really appreciate it.
Thank you!
P.S.- My daughter is going to school in the fall to be an RN. I figured you guys might know of some people that had the surgery done. With her doing clinicals and being on her feet for hours on end, having a bad back is bad enough, but maybe taking some of this weight off could help. Thanks!

live4today, RN · Jun 24, 2005

I had a breast reduction...............................BTW I
was so big I barely knew my corect size too. I think I was about a
40 or 42 DD. My friends always joke that I should've shared my
excess. :chuckle.......

One of my sisters had a breast reduction, and I remember asking her if I could lay on the table next to her during the surgery and have the surgeon transfer what they took from her into me own breast. :rotfl:

On the serious side.........my sister says it was the best thing she had done

for herself, too. Her insurance paid for the surgery since her large breast were causing her to have other serious health problems.

grannynurse FNP student · Jun 24, 2005

I had reduction mamoplasty done in 1981. I had a total of six pounds removed from my chest. It reduced my upper back and neck pain. And it was entirely covered by my health insurance. I went to a plastic surgeon, who documented my massive problem, with photos. He forwarded them to my insurance company and they authorized my surgery within a few weeks. It is the best thing I ever did for myself.

Grannynurse :balloons:

prmenrs, RN · Jun 24, 2005

I saw a mammoplasty done on Discovery Health Channel once; the surgeon said that post-op, these pts. were the happiest in the waiting room!

I think you should take her in to the PCP, document all the back issues and ask that it be submitted to the insurance co. The worst that can happen is that they'll say no, but, it doesn't sound like this is totally a cosmetic proceedure. She's having problems due to the breast size, that may justify the surgery. If they say no the first time, find out what you have to do to appeal the decision.

I say, give it a shot!

caseyrb · Jun 24, 2005

Thanks for the great advice. My daughter is about 5'4/5'5. We are going to strongly start talking to her chiropractor, family doctor, and even her pt. Hopefully it won't take very long for her to get approved because when she starts school, other than christmas time there won't be another time she could get it done. Thanks for the great advice. We willkeep everyone posted!