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Asked 2018-11-26
How likely is it that I will qualify for a breast reduction covered by insurance? I am 18 years old, so obviously I cannot afford to pay for surgery out of pocket. I have had large breasts for years, I was around a B cup by the time I reached 5th grade. I am now 5 foot 4 1/2 inches, weigh 150 pounds…
3 Answers
Curtis S. F. Wong, MD
Answered: 2018-12-11
Insurance coverage for breast reduction is based on whether your surgeon can remove a minimum amount of tissue/weight. If you meet this, insurance will cover it but you still have your co-pays and deductibles so it may still cost more than you think. You could have a cosmetic reduction for around $6500 in my neighborhood if your out of pocket expenses exceed that... but it may not count towards your deductible since it was done cosmetically. Best to see a contracted Plastic Surgeon for an evaluation and determination if your situation will quality. Realize that this procedure WILL impact your ability to breast feed AND that its likely you will lose sensation to your nipples in addition to the scarring that you must accept. So it is not an easy decision when you are as young as you are.
Asked 2018-08-24
I had an anchor lift with implants placed over muscle 6 wks ago. YES, I know it is too early to make changes but since this is my 3rd surgery (last 2 lasting 8-12 yrs) but I can see a potential problem already. Bottom pole is so tight that it's flat & square while my nipples are so high that they…
2 Answers
Curtis S. F. Wong, MD
Answered: 2018-12-11
Bottoming out (what you describe when you drop and fluff) can be rectified with transverse excisions using the same scars you already have so I hope you were not too worried about what the future will bring for you. Your bottoms will round out as well. I hope your surgeon was able to offer you the reassurances you were needing back then and that your outcome has met your expectations.
Asked 2018-10-17
I have had one child and have lost approx. 20+ pounds. I have loose skin on the abdomen. I am wanting to know if liposuction and skin removal is an option. I never had a flat stomach even at my lowest weight. So I'm not concerned with that.
4 Answers
Curtis S. F. Wong, MD
Answered: 2018-10-21
Combining liposuction and skin excision can definitely be done but you must find a surgeon that is comfortable with this concept as there are still holdovers from the 90's when we were taught it was forbidden to do the two procedures at the same time on the tummy. If you are thinking liposuction elsewhere besides the tummy, that is a certainty that they can be combined. Lipoabdominoplasty was a concept introduced years ago that proved combining liposuction and skin excision on tummies was safe to do.
Asked 2018-10-18
I’m quite tall at 6ft and my build is wide but I’m not overweight. I’m a DDD and I feel like my breasts look awkward. Could I get a reduction or would they say that I don’t need one?
4 Answers
Curtis S. F. Wong, MD
Answered: 2018-10-21
Breast reduction covered by insurances do require that a certain minimum weight be removed. You should schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon on your insurance panel to see if you would qualify for this option. If the anticipated amount removed won't meet the insurance minimums, then you can consider doing this cosmetically. In my practice, when this is done cosmetically, I bill for the mastopexy fee (which is a lot less than the reduction fee) and any tissue sent in for pathology would be a self pay by the patient. You would also get to determine just how much smaller you will be so you can control of your outcome. So if doing this cosmetically, make phone calls as you will see surgeon's fees all over the place this one.
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