Breast reduction from A-cup to flat-chested. Possible?

Question

I'm a 24 year old with breasts that are around 34A, and I was wondering if it is possible to get a breast reduction to become basically flat-chested with my size? I know that many say that there should be some small amount of tissue left to keep blood flow to the nipple, and ideally I would like to have nipple sensation left if I were to get a breast reduction. Would it still be possible for me to become flat-chested? I've just always enjoyed the look more than what I have now.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Sure, I do this all the time for transgender patients whose anatomy qualifies for "keyhole" or periareolar mastectomies. Calling this a "breast reduction" will not help improve your chances for nipple sensory retention, as this depends on the actual amount of tissue removed, and whether or not the nerve is included in the tissue. The more tissue that remains, the higher the potential chance of retaining sensation. But if you really want "flat chested" as you have stated in your question, then essentially all of the tissue is removed, and with it the nerve in most cases.If you are transgender, this is a common request and surgery we do all the time. Click on the web reference link below for some examples of my work, including a couple of keyhole mastectomies, er, "reductions."Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you are considering transgender surgery, performing a subcutaneous mastectomy is certainly an option. Best of luck.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

What you are asking about, whether or not you are transgender, is the same kind of thing we to for "top surgery" in our FTM, or female-to-male, transgender patients.  Those patients wish to have a more masculine, or "flat chested" appearance, even though they are genetic females and have breast development.  There are procedures for accomplishing this, and we do it all the time.  Depending upon the amount of breast tissue a person has, some require more extensive scars than others.  In your case, it appears from the pictures that you could get away with perhaps a more limited approach since your natural breasts are smaller in volume, your tissue tone appears good, and you don't have a lot of hanging, or "ptosis' of the breasts.  The thing to understand is that in order to preserve nipple sensation, a certain amount of tissue must be preserved too, as the nerves run through the tissue.  Thus, we are often at competing goals of "totally flat chest shaping" and trying to preserve nipple sensation.  In most cases, contour and appearance win, and we wind up sacrificing nipple sensation in favor of a more masculine chest contour.Be sure to consult with board certified plastic surgeons with experience in this kind of surgery, and if you are transgender, preferably also experience in dealing specifically with transgender patients, as their needs are often unique, and surgeons must be sensitive to those.   In addition to being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only generally recognized organization which certifies true plastic surgeons and has the term “Plastic Surgery” in its title, your surgeon should also participate in the Maintenance of Certification program administered by that board. This program requires that surgeons who participate continue to update their credentials and professional standing regularly, as opposed to practicing on a single lifetime certificate like those plastic surgeons who elect not to participate. To find further information about this program and any surgeons you might consider for your surgery, I suggest visiting these sites: abplsurg.org and abms.org. Good luck.

Breast reduction from A-cup to flat-chested. Possible?

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Breast reduction from A-cup to flat-chested. Possible?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.