Breast Reduction Q&A

95%

WORTH IT RATING

450 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Reduction Cost: $4,675

Learn about Breast Reduction

1,810 people and 560 doctors are talking about Breast Reduction

Get Free Email Updates

Breast Reduction Surgery in 1 Week But Doctor Never Discussed Size - Normal?

asked 11 months ago by beachbaby1212
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 203 times
Tags: consultation, expectation, normal

The issue I have is that my PS never talked to me about what size/shape I'd like to end up with. AFter measuring, etc. he told me he wanted to take "500-700 grams" from each breast. I will not get a chance to see/talk to him again until just before the operation. Nurse in his office told me that with insurance approval he was now committed to the 500-700 grams and said that they do not deal in "cup sizes". Does this sound right? Should I be nervous??

13 answers to Breast Reduction Surgery in 1 Week But Doctor Never Discussed Size - Normal?

Breast Reduction and Size?

Thank you for the question. I would suggest you call your surgeon's office and asked to see him again in the office prior to surgery. In general, it is in everyone's interest for patients to feel comfortable that they have communicated their goals clearly. In my opinion, this should not be left for the day of surgery. But they will be potentially filled with lots of anxiety and distractions. it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction - What Will a 500-700 Gram Reduction Bring Me To?

Hi beachbaby1212, I think you should be able to have this discussion with your PS before you arrive on the day of surgery. It is true that many insurance companies require a minimum of approximately 500 grams in order for the procedure to be "covered," but you have to make sure that that's about the amount you want removed. Or at least you need to be able to talk to your PS about this. In GENERAL, it's about 150-200 grams per bra cup size, but it's... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction size

If you were a patient of mine and you had uncertainty about upcoming surgery I would want to talk to you either over the phone or in person. A response from an office staff member, that you will not be able to speak to the surgeon until the morning of surgery, simply would not fly in my office. If you call back the office and request to talk to the surgeon, I would bet he or she would be willing to do so and I think you should insist on it.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Get involved in the planning phase of breast reduction surgery

During your initial breast reduction consulation as well as during your pre-operative exam there should have been amble opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations. In breast reduction surgery it can be difficult to predict final breast size in turns of cup size. In general the breast will be reduced to a size and shape that fits your overall proportions. Be sure that you let your plastic surgeon know what your expectations are so that he can plan the appropriate... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Predicting results from a breast reduction

You should never feel that you don't have access to your doctor before an elective operation. All questions should be comfortably answered by them in order to have the optimal relationship and partnership in the process. If you are not getting that, you should consider another doctor. You can't guarantee cup sizes in reduction other than saying that you won't be a B. Shape is also very dependent on the nature of your tissues, the technique used, and the... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction volume

Without an exam I could not tell you if this is adequate to give you a nice shape and size. Many insurance companies want a minimum volume removed to fit their criteria, but it does not always leave a reasonable volume of breast tissue. In many cases, I have taken off more than 1000 gms per side but it is all individualized

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Concerns about several issues prior to a breast reduction

From your description of the situation, I would be VERY nervous. First of all, even though cup size can't be predicted, there should have been a discussion with regard to approximately what you should expect with regard to size, appearance and even proportionality. Second, to remove a particular amount of breast tissue just to satisfy the insurance company is not the right approach if the end result will be breasts that are far too small or deformed. Yes, this is a procedure that is... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Breast reeduction

Breast reduction is usually a combination of reduction of weight/volume to relieve symptoms of large breasts (i.e. pain or discomfortin shoulder, neck or back, dermatitis, etc.) and reduction/shaping for cosmetic appearance. Every surgeon approaches the surgery differently. I usually try to get a sense of what is important to the patient (symptomatic relief, size, shape, scars,etc.) and will customize the procedure for each patient. Sometime insurance concerns can influence what you end up... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction Size

If you still have concerns about your surgery, then you should make an appointment to talk with the surgery prior to the planned surgery date. It is your body and you should feel completely comfortable with the planned procedure. If they will not meet with you, then perhaps you should look for a more accommodating surgeon. As for the amount of tissue to be removed, if you are having the surgery paid for by insurance, they often stipulated a minimum amount of tissue to be... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Planning size for breast reduction

You should feel uncomfortable with your surgeon if you cannot see him/her when you need to before surgery. Absolutely do not go to the operating room if questions are unanswered or if the answers you get do not make sense. The nurse's comment that the doctor is now "committed" to a certain volume of tissue for reduction is very worrisome: the surgeon should maintain all flexibility to get the best result and should absolutely not be a slave to his or her original... more

Daniel Greenwald, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Cup Size after Breast Reduction

The goal of breast reduction surgery is to help reduce symptoms of macromastia. In doing so, considerable breast tissue may be removed and the remaining tissue will dictate your eventual cup size. Many women who have this surgery are actually quite larger then they want to admit to and the bra cup sizes in general do not represent an exact measurement. For these reasons, your surgeon may not have discussed a cup size with you, i.e. it is not an exact science. ... more

Stephen Delia, M.D.
Boston Plastic Surgeon

If a doctor is not spending time before surgery...

If a doctor does not spend time with you before surgery, how will he be after surgery? In my office, I meet with my patients at least twice before surgery. Once as an introductory meeting which includes a full explanation of all available options, a physical exam, a discussion of the patients concerns and desired outcomes. The second meeting is designed to fully review our previous discussion and answer any new questions or concerns - inlcuding size. After surgery, my patients have... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

What to discuss before breast reduction

During your consultation for breast reduction it is typical for the surgeon to address common risks, scars, anticipated cup size, issues concerning recovery. If you did not have the opportunity to ask all questions you wished and will not be allowed to talk to your surgeon again before surgery there seems to be red flag. Call and cancel as that is a sure way to get his attention. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd