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PS is Resistant to my Size Request...Why?

asked 7 months ago by CrownofHisGlory in Maryland
Latest answer by H. Michael Roark, MD
Question viewed 244 times
Tags: breast size, opinion, smaller

I am a size 38 DDD/F. I would love to be a large C to a medium D. My PS insists upon a size D/DD. I was a DD before I had my son, and I do not want to be so large. The decreased weight in my chest will allow me to exercise without pain. Therefore, I plan to lose weight after my surgery. I do not tend to lose weight in my chest. Even when I lost weight and became a size 6, my breast remained at a DD. Are there any reasons that my breast have to remain larger?

14 answers to PS is Resistant to my Size Request...Why?

Cup size after breast reduction

A D-DD cup size is, in my opinion, too large to reduce the neck, shoulder and back pain resulting from overly large breasts. This may be a communication issue so I would encourage you to discuss sizing with your plastic surgeon. If your surgery has been improved by an insurer, it will require removal of a minimum number of grams per breast (commonly 500 at minimum). The surgeon has discretion as to how small to make the breasts and there should be a meeting of the minds... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.foresthillsplasticsurgery.com

Cup Size After Breast Reduction

I NEVER discuss cup size with patients. The reason is that different manufacturers use different algorithms to determine cup size. So while you may be a DDD in one, you may be an F or DD in others. So no surgeon can gurantee cup size and frankly shouldn't be discussing cup size. If you were my patient and you told me you wanted to be a full C/small D I would understand that to mean you wanted your breasts to be proportionate with your body. I feel that it is... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Size after breast reduction

As my colleagues have said, it is impossible to exactly predict breast size after breast reduction. More important than size, however, it sounds like you and your plastic surgeon are not communicating well and cannot agree on the goals of surgery for you. It is important for you to have confidence in your surgeon and it is important for your surgeon to understand and agree with your goals. Sometimes compromise is necessary so that your goals are realistic and something your surgeon feels... more

Margaret Skiles, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

See another doctor.

Sounds like you need a second opinion. I am sure the doctor you saw had his reasons. Maybe you need a second opinion.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Cup size not perfectly predictable with breast reduction

We are unfortunately stuck with an imperfect system for measuring breast size, because the cup is determined as much by the size and dimensions of the chest as it is by the actual volume of the breasts. In your case it may be a matter of communication rather than refusal by your plastic surgeon to go to a certain cup size. Over-reducing tends to result in flat and unnatural-appearing breasts, so your plastic surgeon may be hesitant to go too far for that reason, or it may simply not be... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast Size After Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your decision to proceed with a breast reduction procedure; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. I think you will also be wise to lose any plan to wait prior to your surgery if at all possible. Unfortunately, there is no direct correlation between the amount of tissue removed and the ultimate cup size that a patient will wear after breast reduction surgery. In other words, it will be very hard for... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Can a patient request a specific cup size for breast reduction?

The answere is yes and no. The breast size should be relatively balanced with the patients over all size. A cup size larger is usually easier to do than making a patient smaller than the anatomy will allow. Excessive reduction leads to dissatisfaction and the likelihood for secondary surgery including implant placement. Remember, you can get a second opinon to better understand the risks, and possible outcome of your surgery as performed by the doctor you have... more

H. Michael Roark, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Miscommunication

I believe there is a miscommunication. You really can only design a pedicled reduction, by the book. O sure there can be parameters we can reach with regard to more off the pedicle or less but ultimately, we need to leave enough tissue to keep the nipple alive. Predicting or guaranteeing a size is challenging as it isn't predictable as you have already read. Consult a Plastic Surgeon you feel understands you and explains to you what the... more

Alan Weiss, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Size requests and breast reduction surgery

Hello, Breast reduction surgery utilizes calculated geometric designs to attempt to preserve blood flow to the tissues. Making the breasts smaller than a certain limit tends to compromise blood flow and wound healing. This is likely the reasoning behind your surgeon's reluctance to go as small as you desire. On the weight loss, try to get to a weight that you can maintain after surgery beforehand. This will make changes after surgery less likely. Results change with... more

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Breast size after a breast reduction

In most cases the breasts can be reduced to a C or D cup. I would have to examine you to know if there was a specific reason your surgeon thought you could only go down to a D/DD. If your breast tissue is very dense and a large amount of tissue volume is necessary to provide blood supply to the nipple, you may need to stay on the fuller side. Also there is a difference in appearance in a DD perky and lifted than a DD that is very saggy and hanging on your chest. I would... more

Marialyn Sardo, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

www.centerforbeauty.com

Breast size after reduction

While impossible to predict the exact breast size after surgery, it is important to understand goals of the patient and attempt to achieve those goals. Generally speaking, it is possible to reduce a breast to a full C small D cup with reduction surgery. While all patients are different, it is worth seaking a secpnd opinion to determine if your goals are realistic for your body.

Beverly Friedlander, MD
Short Hills Plastic Surgeon

PS is Resistant to my Size Request...Why?

Hard to answer without photos and more medical information. Please seek in person second opinions in your area.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Why can't my breasts be reduced to C or D cup?

This is simply an impossible question to answer without more information. The amount of ptosis (sagging), type of ptosis (skin, nipple-areola, glandular), chest size, beginning breast size, your overall body build, and technique for breast reduction may all be influenceing your surgeon's advice. Often, if a woman has a large body (overweight), I prefer not to disproportionately reduce the breast and diminish the patient's femininity. If your chest is very broad, a C... more

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction size

One explanation might be that he is concerned about complications such as loss of your nipple. The bigger you are, the smaller you want to go, the more tissue has to be removed, and the more potential damage to blood flow to the nipple. However, more importantly, you might question the timing of your surgery. If you are not at a stable weight, your surgery might not be as predictable or stable if your weight continues to fluctuate after surgery. I might question whether you should wait... more