Am I a good candidate for breast reduction?

Question

I'm 18 and have 30H. What do you think realistically about how small I could go. Will they sit higher on my chest too?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Hi.  You are a perfect candidate to have a breast reduction.  I'm sure it will relieve the strain in your neck and upper back that occurs from your bra holding up your large breasts.  There are several factors to consider when deciding how small you want to become.  It would be best to talk to a PS who has a lot of experience with breast reductions, so you can get your questions answered in person.  Best of luck!

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for posting. You have larg breasts but they are nicely shaped. Surgery will guarantee smaller breasts but it wont guarantee nicer looking breasts. This plus the added scars and your age is enough reason for me to recommend holding off for surgery for now.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Anyone who is symptomatic from their large breasts or is simply unhappy with their appearance is a candidate for breast reduction. Insurance only pays for surgery when it is functional/medically related, i.e. having symptoms of back/neck pain, painful bra strap shoulder grooves, or skin rashes under the breasts. Insurance companies are more likely going to pay for a breast reduction surgery when the prospective patient has seen their primary care doctor with complaints of pain and discomfort, and/or she has seen a chiropractor for neck and back pain. 'Required' weights of breast tissue excised during the surgery are dependent on the weight of the patient, so the smaller your body is relative to your breasts, the less weight the insurance companies expect to be removed.

Ramiro Morales, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures.  Yes you appear to be a good candidate for a breast reduction likely down to a B or C and along with the reduction would be a lift so your breasts would sit higher on your chest.  Be sure to see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for your consultation.

Anmol Chugh, MBBS, MS, MCh · Answer

Yes, you are. I would advise the Lollipop scar approach with offloading extra tissue from the lower side of the breast. The superiomedial pedicle approach works well.

Longwood Plastic Surgery - Brookline · Answer

You are likely a good candidate for a breast reduction especially if the weight of your breasts are causing you neck and back pain, poor posture, shoulder indentations from bra straps, and/or rashes underneath the fold of the breast. You would not end up with a completely flat chest since your surgeon will need to leave behind some breast tissue to allow blood supply to the nipple, but your surgeon will likely be able to remove a substantial amount of breast tissue. Your resulting breasts will appear more uplifted as well and sit higher on your chest. However since you are still young, it is possible that future breast development, pregnancies, and/or pregnancies could change the shape and size of your breasts further down the line.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your nicely posted photos and seeing the shape of your body at your age of 18 without a impersonal virtual consultation, I would recommend against the trade-off of a breast reduction with the potential scarring at this point but again best of virtual concert with to discuss in more detail. Board certified plastic surgeons try to look at the wrist benefit ratios of doing a surgery And in this case trading a large breast that is shapely with the shapely body might not be a good idea at this young age. Good luck.

Am I a good candidate for breast reduction?

Answers (8)

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