1444 grams of breast tissue removed from each breast - too much?

While that is a large amount, with your stated bra size it is not totally unreasonable. Many large breasts area also very dense, making the weight removed even larger. If you truly desire relatively small breasts, then this may be a good option for you. However, your surgeon should be able to guide you through what would be a reasonable and expected outcome given your build, breast size, and body type.

Hi,

Thank you for the question.
Based on what you are describing, it does sound that you have large/heavy breasts causing physical symptoms, and breast reduction may be an option for you.

During breast reduction surgery, excess breast tissue is removed, the breast is lifted and nipple/areola is typically made smaller. It is easiest to think of breast reduction as including the breast lift.

Schnur Sliding Scale is a scale used by many insurance companies as a guideline for how much breast tissue should be removed in order to improve your physical symptoms. In addition, most insurances in order to approve the surgery, will require for 2-3 letters of medical necessity (from your chiropractor, primary doctor, OBGYN, Dermatologist, etc) demonstrating that your physical symptoms due to large breasts are not improving with conservative management.

The goal of breast reduction surgery it to make the breasts smaller and lifted, but also proportionate with the rest of your body. Based on your height and weight, it is reasonable that the plastic surgeon needs to remove 1444 grams of breast tissue.

I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast Reduction surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.

I hope this helps.
Best regards, Dr. Karanetz

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Breast Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Absolutely, each breast is indeed unique in its composition, which can vary significantly from person to person. Factors such as the proportion of glandular tissue to fatty tissue, as well as overall breast density, can influence the weight and volume of the breasts.
For example, patients with a higher proportion of glandular tissue may have heavier breasts, whereas those with more fatty tissue may have breasts that weigh less but occupy a larger volume. This variation underscores the importance of individualized assessment and surgical planning to achieve optimal outcomes for each patient.
Additionally, it's crucial to consider the viability of the nipple and surrounding tissue during breast reduction surgery. The blood supply to the nipple must be preserved to ensure its survival, which can limit the amount of tissue that can be safely removed.
As a result, while the insurance requirement for a specific amount of tissue removal serves as a guideline, it's essential for surgeons to assess each patient's unique anatomy and take into account factors such as breast composition, nipple viability, and desired aesthetic outcomes when planning the surgery.
By taking a personalized approach and considering these factors, surgeons can tailor the procedure to meet the individual needs and goals of each patient while ensuring safety and optimal results.