I am 53 years old, 5’4” and weigh 250 pounds. I currently wear a 48DDD size bra. I have large grooves in my shoulders and constant back pain. Would I be a good candidate for a breast reduction and at this age, will the stretched skin be a problem?
Answered by: Kent V. Hasen, MD
Naples, FL
You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery; however it depends if you have other illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking history, asthma or emphysema, etc. If you don't have other medical issues, the breast reduction surgery can certainly help reduce your breast size and help with the drooping of the breasts. Most of the time, this helps with back pain, but there is no guarantee.
Furthermore, you would be classified as morbidly obese with a body mass index of 43. It has been shown in several published reports that patients with body mass indexes over 30 are at much higher risk of operative complications including wound breakdown, delayed healing and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus.
The stretched skin is really not a problem at this point, but the blood supply to the nipple can be compromised if the distance it has to be lifted up is excessive. Only in consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would your true risks, benefits and likelihood for success be properly assessed.