AboutAlan M. Engler, MD, FACS Expertise Dr. Engler has answered over 2700 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.
Education/Credentials Dr. Engler graduated from Yale University (undergraduate) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University (medical school). He did his residency training in General Surgery and, after that, Plastic Surgery, at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
Question Hi
in the past 3 years my left breast has grown a least one cup size larger probably even more. Is it true that by law Insurance companies have to cover fixing that? I have a GHI PPO plan. This is extremely noticeable and very embarrassing. Can lypo be done on that side to correct the imbalance? I've had Mamo's, Sono's & MRI's and it isn't due to a mass or anything.
Thanks
Answer from Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com
Hi Christine,
I can't address the issue of what's required by law but, in general and as far as I understand, insurance companies will typically cover what they believe is medically indicated, but within the limits of the policy. There's a lot of wiggle room there, but that's often the way it is.
Therefore, they are more likely to cover corrective surgery for a problem that is causing pain, discomfort or is dangerous; and are less likely to cover anything that might be deemed cosmetic. The question, then, is whether or not the asymmetry you have is symptomatic on the larger side. The more symptomatic it is, the more likely I believe they would be to cover it.
Your best bet is to see a few surgeons and get an idea based on what they have to say.
