I am 5'6", weight 200lbs Wear a size 36JJ bra. I have worn the same bra size even when I weighed 20 pounds less. My insurance has approved my breast reduction, for 800grams each. I am fine with that but when I asked the office what size I might end up, she said the Dr. said a Large A to Small B. I'm not a small person nor will I be, this was tramatically small. Other people I have heard of were only a G cup and 800grams each took them to a C. Which is my ideal size. Am I worrying over nothing?
Answer: Breast Reduction Breast Reduction is a complicated procedure that is best done by those with the most training and experience. It is very difficult to determine the resultant cup size and shape based solely on the number of grams that are removed from your breast to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast reduction and lift surgeries, including different approaches, techniques and even fat transfer and implant choices if you are lacking superior breast fullness.This is because several measurements—not to mention breast characteristics such as density—are needed to determine how much and where to remove breast tissue to meet your goals. Without knowing your existing breast shape, dimensions, and the density of your breast tissue, it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the same volume of breast tissue will weigh different amounts (measured in ounces or grams) in different people depending on its density. The existing base width of your breast and what you will ultimately want to look like will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume and weight that will need to be removed for the best result.Please click on the link below for more information!
Helpful
Answer: Breast Reduction Breast Reduction is a complicated procedure that is best done by those with the most training and experience. It is very difficult to determine the resultant cup size and shape based solely on the number of grams that are removed from your breast to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast reduction and lift surgeries, including different approaches, techniques and even fat transfer and implant choices if you are lacking superior breast fullness.This is because several measurements—not to mention breast characteristics such as density—are needed to determine how much and where to remove breast tissue to meet your goals. Without knowing your existing breast shape, dimensions, and the density of your breast tissue, it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the same volume of breast tissue will weigh different amounts (measured in ounces or grams) in different people depending on its density. The existing base width of your breast and what you will ultimately want to look like will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume and weight that will need to be removed for the best result.Please click on the link below for more information!
Helpful
December 30, 2011
Answer: 800 gram minumum for breast reduction
It is difficult to say but after an 800 gram breast reduction you will probably have a B cup. If you do not want to be this small, you can have the procedure performed as a cosmetic surgery and the surgeon is then not required to remove a certain amount on each side. Best of Luck.
Helpful
December 30, 2011
Answer: 800 gram minumum for breast reduction
It is difficult to say but after an 800 gram breast reduction you will probably have a B cup. If you do not want to be this small, you can have the procedure performed as a cosmetic surgery and the surgeon is then not required to remove a certain amount on each side. Best of Luck.
Helpful
November 16, 2011
Answer: Be careful what you agree to
Hi there-
In my long experience doing a lot of breast surgery, I can tell you that too often it seems patients and surgeons agree to remove amounts of tissue from patient's breasts that precludes their long term happiness.
In other words, I always worry that in the interests of getting the insurance company to agree to pay for the operation, we forget what the patient wants.
This sometimes can lead to you being unhappy with your breasts- or even feeling like you need implants down the road to achieve what you wanted in the first place.
Without examining you, it is difficult to say whether the planned excision is going to achieve your goals or not, because this requires an understanding of the density of your breast tissue (something I could only learn from examining you).
Your best bet is to be open and honest with your surgeon about your goals for breast size AND appearance. Ask them directly- "Do you think that if we do what the insurer wants us to do that my goals are possible or likely?"
If you and your surgeon feel that removing this amount of tissue will still allow the approximation of your goals, then great- but if either of you believe that your goals may suffer in order to make the insurer happy, believe me you are better off saving your pennies until you can afford to pay to have the operation done in a way that results in YOUR long term satisfaction.
Helpful
November 16, 2011
Answer: Be careful what you agree to
Hi there-
In my long experience doing a lot of breast surgery, I can tell you that too often it seems patients and surgeons agree to remove amounts of tissue from patient's breasts that precludes their long term happiness.
In other words, I always worry that in the interests of getting the insurance company to agree to pay for the operation, we forget what the patient wants.
This sometimes can lead to you being unhappy with your breasts- or even feeling like you need implants down the road to achieve what you wanted in the first place.
Without examining you, it is difficult to say whether the planned excision is going to achieve your goals or not, because this requires an understanding of the density of your breast tissue (something I could only learn from examining you).
Your best bet is to be open and honest with your surgeon about your goals for breast size AND appearance. Ask them directly- "Do you think that if we do what the insurer wants us to do that my goals are possible or likely?"
If you and your surgeon feel that removing this amount of tissue will still allow the approximation of your goals, then great- but if either of you believe that your goals may suffer in order to make the insurer happy, believe me you are better off saving your pennies until you can afford to pay to have the operation done in a way that results in YOUR long term satisfaction.
Helpful
November 18, 2011
Answer: Insurance vs self pay breast reduction
Dear Erin,
I sincerely doubt removing 800g will leave you with an A cup. However, you are wanting to know what your 'ideal' size would be. That needs to be determined by you and what your demensions are. That being said, what your insurance co. requires to be removed and what your 'ideal' size would be, may be two very different things. If you cannot finance your reduction, I strongly suggest you come to terms with what your insurance dictates. This is, unfortunately, the ugly reality of our health care system. Best of luck to you, Dr. H
Helpful
November 18, 2011
Answer: Insurance vs self pay breast reduction
Dear Erin,
I sincerely doubt removing 800g will leave you with an A cup. However, you are wanting to know what your 'ideal' size would be. That needs to be determined by you and what your demensions are. That being said, what your insurance co. requires to be removed and what your 'ideal' size would be, may be two very different things. If you cannot finance your reduction, I strongly suggest you come to terms with what your insurance dictates. This is, unfortunately, the ugly reality of our health care system. Best of luck to you, Dr. H
Helpful
November 14, 2011
Answer: Breast cup size after Breast Reduction?
Thank you for the question and pictures. Congratulations on deciding to proceed with breast reduction surgery; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
Unfortunately, no plastic surgeon is able to predict exactly what cup size you will be after breast reduction surgery. As you know, cup sizes vary depending on who makes the bra; this makes discussing cup size an inaccurate way of communicating your goals. There is also no “ideal size”; every patient has different goals. I would agree with you that achieving breasts that same proportion to your body type will be in your best interest.
Communication with your plastic surgeon will be important prior to surgery. In my practice I use goal pictures to communicate with patients. With this technique patients are able to demonstrate what they are trying to achieve and what type of looks they do not like as well. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.
I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.
Best wishes.
Helpful
November 14, 2011
Answer: Breast cup size after Breast Reduction?
Thank you for the question and pictures. Congratulations on deciding to proceed with breast reduction surgery; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
Unfortunately, no plastic surgeon is able to predict exactly what cup size you will be after breast reduction surgery. As you know, cup sizes vary depending on who makes the bra; this makes discussing cup size an inaccurate way of communicating your goals. There is also no “ideal size”; every patient has different goals. I would agree with you that achieving breasts that same proportion to your body type will be in your best interest.
Communication with your plastic surgeon will be important prior to surgery. In my practice I use goal pictures to communicate with patients. With this technique patients are able to demonstrate what they are trying to achieve and what type of looks they do not like as well. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.
I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.
Best wishes.
Helpful