In my obsessive reading leading up to and after by own breast reduction
I have noticed 2 things. (1) there are many women complaining of being too big after a BR and (2) many Dr's
Seem to really dislike the idea of doing FNGs. Like it offends their professional ego's or something.
For women who are truly large (G/H/I/J+) and/or have particularly long droopy breasts you in essence have a choice between a DD/DDD or your nipples.
As long as it is YOUR choice no problem.
I'm writing this because I'm not sure that Dr's discuss this or that it is fully understood in the 15 minutes you get with a Dr. in a consultation. I know I personally take a long time to process new information.
I realize that the majority of women will not choose an FNG for a smaller size. I wrote this because I wanted to make sure women understand that it is a viable option to consider, then dismiss.
So here is my probably technically incorrect understanding of the issue.
To maintain a fully functional nipple it has to stay attached to something called the "pedicle". This is a set of veins and tissue that supplies blood to the whole nipple complex. While I'm sure it doesn't look anything like an umbilical cord that is one way to think of it. When reducing the breast this has to stay intact and with good blood flow or the nipple dies. The Dr. has to fit this long pedicle into the new breast shape and size. If it's very long and/or big the Dr. can't get it to fit into a B or a C or maybe even a D cup without..I don't know, folding it up so tight that blood flow is compromised like kinking a garden hose or taking so much tissue away from it to get down to size that it cannot get enough blood to the nipple. And you definitely do not want to risk dealing with a dying nipple complex. So there you are with a DD or DDD etc..
What if you really really want a C cup? Your Dr. could do a procedure called a free nipple graft. In this procedure the nipple is detached (sounds better than cut off lol) from the pedicle, the pedicle is shortened and treated I guess like all the other tissue and the nipple is skin grafted back on to the breast in a new position last thing. Let me just say, at this point I don't know that you can really call it a nipple anymore. It won't function like a nipple.
So, you can choose, as long as you understand your options and the results. Some women don't have much sensitivity to begin with and are past child bearing. There is an emotional attachment for some as well.
If you are very large and/or with long breasts - has FNG come up as an option? If it is important to you to maintain any of the following:
1) nipple sensitivity and the ability for your nipple to get erect
2) the ability to breast feed
3) appearance; nipple grafts tend to fade and get pale
4) your feelings of femininity are vested in your breasts/nipples
Then a FNG is not for you.
However if you have never had sensitive nipples, are done breast feeding and are not concerned about appearance or erect nipples...then it should be something you discuss with your Dr. If your medical needs are so severe that you do not want to risk being larger sized, then discuss ALL your options with your Dr.
Do your own research, ask questions. Know yourself and what you really want and what you can live with.