What if I don’t end up as small as I’d like to be after surgery?

Question

My biggest concern with surgery is that My surgeon won’t take enough and I won’t be as small as I’d like. I try very hard to be clear, without using cup sizes. I want a nearly-flat chest, pretty much. If after the recovery period I’m unhappy with my size, would most surgeons go back and remove more tissue?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Straightforward775867, thank you for your question. When considering surgery, it is vital to communicate clearly with the surgeon about the expectations you have regarding said procedure from the beginning in your consult. In terms of breast reduction surgery, you want the breast to appear in harmony with the rest of the body and to be shaped aesthetically. The best aesthetics result for me is a breast that has an adequate shape and proportion, that the projection is slightly conical, that has a slight descent in the upper part so that it looks esthetically adequate. The best course of action is to consult one or several board certified plastic surgeon for more information. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

Tommaso Addona, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
In my practice, the rate limiting factor of a breast reduction is the blood supply to the nipple and areola. Depending on your body surface area, your surgeon will need to remove a certain amount of tissue as per your insurance if they are covering this procedure. If you would like to go as small as possible, I personally would go as small as I can safely while preserving the nipple and areola along with keeping an aesthetic that you would be happy with.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Straightforward775867,
finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Make sure he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. There is a number of different sites where you can check for reviews (Realself, yelp, google, etc.).You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's best to discuss your goals for surgery at length with your surgeon prior to surgery versus trying to go back for a revision later.  Describe what you want, use cup sizes, bring photos of those with breast size you are wanting.  Good communication should get you the answers you need.  Keep in mind that the surgeon will need to keep adequate blood supply to the tissues and nipple, so that will be a consideration in the amount that can be safely removed.  In addition there needs to be enough tissue to shape the breast.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
This is a discussion that is best had before surgery. Reach out to your surgeon with your questions and concerns. Make sure you are both clear on your goals/outcome with this surgery. Best of luck!

Andrew T. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

The short answer is yes. If you are not pleased and want more removed…. Most plastic surgeons will offer to revise and make smaller for you. I can not speak for all the surgeons so make sure to show your surgeon pictures of sizes you would like to be. I find it very helpful to have patients show me pictures of what size they want to be and i make sure to keep those photos in the operating room to guide me. Make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon

Best of luck to you.

Yours,
Andrew Cohen, MD

Best of luck to you.

Yours, 
Andrew Cohen, MD

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!Congratulations on your decision to undergo breast reduction. Breast reduction to almost any size can be accomplished. Larger breast reductions may require a free nipple graft as the soft tissue pedicle otherwise maintaining the viability of the nipple may be compromised due to its length. 15% of all cosmetic surgeries may benefit from secondary touch-up procedures.Best wishes...

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