Am I a good fit for breast reduction? (Photos)

Question

A little overweight but my neck and back is starting to bother me. Really considering a reduction. Is it a bad idea?

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

You appear to be a good candidate for a breast reduction and lollipop lift based on your history and the pictures you submit. My advice is to find a board certified plastic surgeon near you who performs a lot of breast reductions with a lollipop lift. I do a lot of these because they typically provide a great result. A lollipop lift (medically called a vertical mastopexy) limits the scarring to around the areola and vertical scar only beneath the areola. This stands in contrast to an anchor scar (also called inverted T scar). The irony is the lollipop lift not only leaves the patient with less scarring but provides a perkier breast than the anchor scar. The latter leaves more scarring and can actually flatten the breast.

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

Considering your symptoms of neck and back discomfort, along with the concern about breast size, I would personally consider you a good candidate for a breast reduction procedure. These physical complaints are very common indications for reduction and often improve significantly after surgery.
With a breast reduction, I remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to achieve a size that is more proportional to your body. This not only helps relieve strain on the neck, shoulders, and back, but also improves posture and overall comfort while maintaining a natural breast shape.
Being slightly overweight is not necessarily a contraindication. In many cases, breast reduction can actually make physical activity easier and support a healthier lifestyle. What matters most is choosing an approach that is safe and tailored to your anatomy.
That said, photos can only provide limited information. I would strongly recommend an in-person consultation so I can properly evaluate your breast structure, skin quality, and overall health to determine the safest and most effective surgical plan for you.

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

Hi, and thank you for your question.Based on your photos, you seem suitable for a breast reduction. Neck and back pain are common reasons to consider this procedure, and many patients experience significant relief after surgery. I hope this helps.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

Whether or not to have a breast reduction is a major decision.  It is best to review this with a plastic surgeon after a full examination.  Although there can be many benefits, there are both many risks and some negative things associated with the surgery.  If you and your surgeon decide that it is a good fit for you, often the risks and scars can be very much worth it.  Everything is a balancing act, but it is demonstrated by many studies that there is a very high satisfaction rate from both improvement of back pain as well as the aesthetics and self-confidence a woman can experience.

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Hi there,
If your back and neck are bothering you a reduction is a great option for you. Reductions are covered by your health insurance, get a consult and talk through options 
All the best

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Am I a good fit for breast reduction? If your goal is to be smaller, it might be a fit. The reduction may or may not help the neck and back pain. It often does. I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements . They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

Yes! Based on your photos you would benefit from a breast reduction. 
This surgery is great at addressing neck/back pain secondary to large/heavy breast. In addition to removing breast tissue, your surgeon will perform a lift and the end result will be smaller, lifted breast. 
I would recommend being weight stable prior to surgery, having a recent mammogram if you're 30+, and stopping any nicotine use.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I think you would be a great candidate for your breast reduction, but I would encourage you to be at your goal or ideal weight prior to surgery. That will get you the longest lasting result. Good luck!

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Yes!  A breast reduction would be a great way to reduce the weight of your breasts.  This in turn will be less weight on your neck and shoulders, and so your pain should improve.   I think this would fix your problems and give you perky, more youthful looking breasts 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.

Am I a good fit for breast reduction? (Photos)

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