AboutAlan M. Engler, MD, FACS Expertise Dr. Engler has answered over 2300 plastic surgery questions for Allexperts. His expertise is in cosmetic plastic surgery including breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts etc.
Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction."
Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (SEARCH FOR "DR. ENGLER"). His website is www.bodysculpture.com.
Experience Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.
Organizations belong to ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery); ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons); ACS (American College of Surgeons); Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York
Question I just had my first professional bra fitting and was shocked to learn that I wear a G cup, not a DD like I thought. I’ve had back, neck, and shoulder pain for years, but assumed a DD wasn’t large enough to convince insurance to pay for a reduction, so I just lived with it. Until recently, I’ve never discussed my pain with my doctor because I assumed there was nothing he could do. I have been to a chiropractor off and on over the years, but breast size was never discussed as the root of my problem, and I typically only go if the pain gets severe. Now that I know what size I really am, I’m considering looking into getting a reduction. I’m 5’8” and currently weigh 190 lbs. I’ve recently lost 30 lbs (none from my breasts) and am planning on continuing with my weight loss plan, however, even when I was at my goal weight I was large breasted, so I doubt I’ll lose much from my breasts. My concern now is the fact that I don’t have a medically documented history of back pain to show my insurance. How long of a history do insurance companies typically require?
Answer Hi Tina,
There's more about breast reductions at www.bodysculpture.com.
Each insurance company is different so you would have to have your plastic surgeon contact your insurance company and see what their criteria are. I have worked with companies that don't have specific minimums, and others that require six months of documented pain and failed conservative therapy.
You may want to start with conservative therapy, which can include chiropractic assessment, physical therapy, etc pretty soon. It may be a few months until you can see a surgeon and have your criteria assessed; in that case, you'll be well on your way to documenting your discomfort and the attempts you've made to relieve it.
