Who qualifies for breast reduction surgery?

Whether you qualify for breast reduction depends on your reasons and on your own circumstances, and both are named below. This is a deciding-stage question.

The reasons the sources name

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says overly large breasts can cause health and emotional problems. The NHS makes that concrete. It lists back, shoulder or neck pain, skin irritation under the breasts, grooves on the shoulders from bra straps, low self-esteem or depression, and not being able to take part in sport or exercise.

If several of those describe your daily life, you have a reason worth bringing to a surgeon. If none do, the surgery is a different decision.

What else gets weighed

The NHS adds that the size of your breasts, your weight, your general health and if you smoke may also be considered. Smoking and weight are the two you can act on before a consultation, so they are worth settling early instead of discovering at the appointment.

The change that would alter your answer

Your answer is not fixed. A change in weight or in your health can shift how a surgeon reads your situation, so a conversation that went one way last year may go another way now. Revisit it when your circumstances change.

The question that usually follows

After qualifying, the next question is cost and coverage. Before you take that up, read how other publishers describe the operation: the NHS on breast reduction, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on breast reduction and MedlinePlus on breast reduction surgery.