Question:
Anyone have breast augmentation after a gastric bypass?

I am 7 months post op and I have lost 90 lbs I am scheduled for breast augmentation on March 28th. I was wondering if anyone has has this done also? What are the chances insurance will cover this if any? Any advice?    — Jennifer L. (posted on February 5, 2002)

February 5, 2002
My breast reduction was covered by insurance because of back strain. I had mine done after I had lost 100 pounds using phen/fen. Before my insurance would cover the reduction I had to loose weight because they felt loosing weight might relieve the lower back pain but it didn't. Good luck.
   — Laura R.

February 5, 2002
My poor breasts, they don't know what has hit them! They look like tube socks with nipples on them! I was a 52 DD before my surgery 8 wks. ago and have had back pain, rashes under both breasts, and always spilled food all over my chest when I was eating for years. Not that I am a slob but if I spilled something it landed on the ledge that was my chest first! When I saw my GYN doc last Nov. she warned me that I was really going to lose some breast tissue and boy was she ever right! I have no idea what size bra I wear now but my husband and I took all my measurements before my surgery and then compared them at one month out and my bust was already 3 inches smaller. My silly bra rides up my back and my breasts don't even fill the cups anymore. I am going this week to get a smaller bra, I can't stand the old one anymore. (I know if any men WLS pts. are reading this they are just loving it! HA! HA!) I think if you have rashes, back pain, etc. even after losing lots of weight like you have that an insurance company will be much more likely to pay for it but I don't know. My insurance wouldn't cover my WLS so I guess if they won't cover whatever other surgery I might need to improve how I look and feel about myself after I lose all the weight I want that I will start trying to figure out a way to pay for it myself again! Guess my husband and I just won't be able to go to Europe that summer! (just kidding!) I have no idea what I will "look like" when I have lost 125+ lbs. (my goal) since I have been so big for SO LONG but if I need a little plastic surgery to fix things I hope I can get it. Good luck to you, both with the insurance and with your new bod!
   — esthjb

February 6, 2002
Hi there! I was wondering, are you having this surgery because you have always had a small bustline, or because of changes you experienced due to weight loss? I would be really interested in having it...for enhancment purposes:). I'd love to get a fuller "perkier" look. But, for now I'm relying on underwire bras.......
   — August S.

February 6, 2002
If I understand the question, you're not scheduled for a reduction or a lift for the excess skin. An augmentation means .......well, you're enlarging and lifting.....correct? If that's the case, I'd be surprised to see insurance cover it because it would be considered cosmetic surgery. Most insurance companies will give consideration to breast surgery if it is considered reconstruction, not cosmetic. Good luck!
   — Pam S.

February 6, 2002
I think if you are having a lift to remove skin they may cover part. I know some insurances will cover a reduction for back pain and shoulder indents (from bra straps). Are you having a lift? If not I don't think insurance would do anything cause augmentation is for cosmetic reasons (unless you've had a breast removed). But if you are doing this for reconstructive and insurance approves it, you may only have to pay the surgeon fees for the augmentation portion of the operation. Good luck. I plan on having a lift and implants when I reach goal (open rny in 7 days!!). I don't believe insurance will cover any of it. I am only a 42C and after I lose weight I don't beleive there will be enough skin for insurance to find it nessasary.
   — M. S.

March 30, 2003
I had a breast lift with augmentation one year after my WLS. My insurance, Blue Cross covered the lift, but they did not coverthe anethesia time and cost of the implants. Unfortunately the doctor who performed my breast,Thomas Taylor of Pasadena, did a terrible job. He inserted implants and raised my nipples but I still had sagging. He felt that because I was a WLS patient, my skin would not respond the way anyone elses would to the lift (makes no sense). Luckily Blue Cross covered another lift after reviewing my case and realizing how bad I looked, and now my breasts look great, thanks also to Dr. Edward Henjyoji of Westlake Village, a plastic surgeon who knows what he's doing.
   — cmg2000

March 30, 2003
I had a breast lift with augmentation one year after my WLS. My insurance, Blue Cross covered the lift, but they did not coverthe anethesia time and cost of the implants. Unfortunately the doctor who performed my breast,Thomas Taylor of Pasadena, did a terrible job. He inserted implants and raised my nipples but I still had sagging. He felt that because I was a WLS patient, my skin would not respond the way anyone elses would to the lift (makes no sense). Luckily Blue Cross covered another lift after reviewing my case and realizing how bad I looked, and now my breasts look great, thanks also to Dr. Edward Henjyoji of Westlake Village, a plastic surgeon who knows what he's doing.
   — cmg2000

October 26, 2003
I had breast augmentation July 11th of this year....almost 3 years after my WLS. I have BCBS of Michigan and they would not pay for the implants ( didn't need a lift ). Before WLS I was a sagging 46C.....before my breast augmentation I was a very small 36A. I'm now a perky 36C or 38D. I love my new boobs! I can't believe what they do for my own self-image (and my hubby loves 'em!) LOL Good luck!
   — Lynette B.