Will Getting a Breast Reduction Make Me Look Larger Around The Middle?

Your question is a very interesting one.  Reducing the breasts can change all sorts of things in body appearance.  Patients are often able to stand up straighter, hold their shoulders up better, and overall move more comfortably. Exchanging a hunched over, round shoulder appearance for one that is more square shouldered and upright is a nice change.  I did have one patient ask me postoperatively what I had done to make her belly bigger.  I was puzzled, because I had not operated on her abdomen in any way.  Later on, I realized that in reducing the breasts that had hung down to her belly button, I had probably uncovered her large belly, allowing her to see it without the distraction of the breasts.  So, it is possible that your belly may appear more full to you after the breast reduction, but weigh that against the improvement in comfort you will have with smaller breasts.

In general breast reduction patients are exceedingly satisfied with their overall results.   After a breast reduction, your breasts are smaller and people frequently ask if you have lost weight!  The surgical goal includes making your breasts more proportionate to your body.  Additionally, you should be able to exercise more efficiently hopefully leading to weight loss. 

But with the breasts lifted off the abdomen, the stomach may be visualized more.  Be that as it may, it is not uncommon to perform abdominal liposuction or abdominoplasty simultaneously in good candidates to enhance your overall results.

 

Hi there-

Because a breast reduction results in a smaller breast profile, without any change in the rest of your torso (abdomen), there will always be a change in the relative proportions of the bustline and abdomen.

If you are already concerned that your abdomen is larger than you would prefer, it is indeed likely that making your breasts smaller will leave you feeling even more so.

This is not to suggest that you should not proceed with reduction- only that it would be wise for you to expect this probability and prepare a plan for its management (diet and exercise, or a tummy tuck as appropriate to your situation).

Hi Shelby,

Reducing your breasts and lifting them off your abdomen does make your mid-section more apparent. However, having a breast reduction does give patients an overall slimmer 'look'. Many have commented that because they fit better in smaller tops, they actually are perceived by friends and family to have lost weight. Having the weight of the breasts reduced allows patients to stand straighter and taller helping with this illusion. This is what my patients tell me all the time. Glad to share, Dr. H

A good breast reduction will reduce the size, weight and length of your breasts - your abdomen will be more visible after this procedure. To date, I have had several patients comment on this fact, but nobody has regretted doing the breast reduction procedure because of the aesthetic and funtional benefits that they derive from it.