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Breast Surgery after Weight Loss (Reduction/lift)



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I had not considered getting a breast reduction or lift until today my PA mentioned that "sometimes insurance will cover it, if there's enough sag in the skin" I highly doubt I qualify, but wondered what info y'all had on this. Anyone had an insurance-supported lift or reduction? Is one considered "medically necessary" and the other "cosmetic?" I laughed as I told my provider. "Hey, if they'll pay for it, I'll have anything done!"

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this isn't specific to massive weight loss patients, but I know sometimes when people's breasts are so large and heavy that they pull on their shoulders and/or backs, or are causing some other medical issue, insurance will cover it. I didn't have issues like that so I had to self pay, but I'm really glad I had the surgery.

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I had a breast reduction covered by insurance 15 or so years ago (i.e., pre-WLS). And yeah, it was covered because of back pain (I had huge boobs for my frame). Note: I'm in Canada and it was covered by my provincial insurance, dunno if that makes a difference one way or the other....

Fast forward to post-WLS, and I had a breast lift which wasn't covered by insurance. Though I also had a Tummy Tuck which was partially covered. Insurance paid for the panniculectomy portion of the procedure and I paid the rest (i.e., muscle tightening and Lipo to flanks).

To get these covered, I had to report my "issues" to my PCP and get his referral.

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