To cover my breast reduction, my insurance requires 284 grams to be removed. I’ve been to a consultation and pre-op appointment but my surgeon told me that she thinks the risks are too high and that it will end up pretty much being a mastectomy and that my nipples have a high chance of dying. Is either of that really true? I want some other opinions but I don't want to have the long wait for another consultation. I want to be a B or an A.
August 15, 2015
Answer: Is 284 grams too much removed for 32DDD/G breasts? Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; this operation tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. Generally speaking, a roughly 300 g reduction is not considered a "large" reduction; however, the size of reduction may be too much for you, depending on your current physical examination and your breast size goals. Unfortunately, online consultants will not be of much help to you in this regard. Discussing current breast size and goals in terms of cup sizes is simply not helpful. I would suggest that you work closely with your plastic surgeon. Show him/her what your goals are; in my practice, I would ask that you use goal photographs. For example, you could show your plastic surgeon what you consider "too big" as well as "too small" when it comes to your preferences. Then, evaluating your current situation and your goals carefully, you and your plastic surgeon should be able to come up with the best way to proceed with. Best wishes.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 15, 2015
Answer: Is 284 grams too much removed for 32DDD/G breasts? Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; this operation tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. Generally speaking, a roughly 300 g reduction is not considered a "large" reduction; however, the size of reduction may be too much for you, depending on your current physical examination and your breast size goals. Unfortunately, online consultants will not be of much help to you in this regard. Discussing current breast size and goals in terms of cup sizes is simply not helpful. I would suggest that you work closely with your plastic surgeon. Show him/her what your goals are; in my practice, I would ask that you use goal photographs. For example, you could show your plastic surgeon what you consider "too big" as well as "too small" when it comes to your preferences. Then, evaluating your current situation and your goals carefully, you and your plastic surgeon should be able to come up with the best way to proceed with. Best wishes.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 15, 2015
Answer: Is 284 Grams Too Much Removed? Thank you for your pictures and questions.In discussing what size to reduce the breast to, my answer to patients is always "smaller." Now I don't mean to sound flippant, but the goal of this surgery is to reduce your breasts to a size that is compatible with your frame and body type while primarily reducing them enough to help relieve some of the symptomology that led to you pursuing breast reduction in the first place. As most women know, a discussion of cup size depends only on where you bra shop, because a 34C from one store can be completely different from a 34C in another store. I can be a good idea to tell a surgeon in what range you want to be because that will give him or her an idea, but no surgeon can guarantee any certain bra size going into surgery. Have the surgery, then go get a bra fitting afterward.In performing breast surgery, there is a range that can be achieved safely. If you take too much of the tissue then it can compromise the blood supply to the remaining portions of the breast. If you do not take enough tissue, then the closure can have too much tension and the symptoms may not be relieved. In addition, if your insurance has a minimum requirement, that can be a problem. In your specific case, it might be useful to try to predict a cup size. In very rough estimates, a cup is about 150-200 grams of tissue, so a reduction of 284 grams would decrease you by about 2 cup sizes. So I think that if you want to be an A or B cup at the end of surgery, this is not an unrealistic goal. Get another consultation with a local plastic surgeon for another opinion. If after being seen by 2 or 3 surgeons, you keep getting the same answer, then that may help you make your decision. On the other hand, there may be other surgeons out there willing to help you achieve your goals.Best of luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 15, 2015
Answer: Is 284 Grams Too Much Removed? Thank you for your pictures and questions.In discussing what size to reduce the breast to, my answer to patients is always "smaller." Now I don't mean to sound flippant, but the goal of this surgery is to reduce your breasts to a size that is compatible with your frame and body type while primarily reducing them enough to help relieve some of the symptomology that led to you pursuing breast reduction in the first place. As most women know, a discussion of cup size depends only on where you bra shop, because a 34C from one store can be completely different from a 34C in another store. I can be a good idea to tell a surgeon in what range you want to be because that will give him or her an idea, but no surgeon can guarantee any certain bra size going into surgery. Have the surgery, then go get a bra fitting afterward.In performing breast surgery, there is a range that can be achieved safely. If you take too much of the tissue then it can compromise the blood supply to the remaining portions of the breast. If you do not take enough tissue, then the closure can have too much tension and the symptoms may not be relieved. In addition, if your insurance has a minimum requirement, that can be a problem. In your specific case, it might be useful to try to predict a cup size. In very rough estimates, a cup is about 150-200 grams of tissue, so a reduction of 284 grams would decrease you by about 2 cup sizes. So I think that if you want to be an A or B cup at the end of surgery, this is not an unrealistic goal. Get another consultation with a local plastic surgeon for another opinion. If after being seen by 2 or 3 surgeons, you keep getting the same answer, then that may help you make your decision. On the other hand, there may be other surgeons out there willing to help you achieve your goals.Best of luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
