I need a breast reduction badly but the first doctor I went to just called me outright fat without listening to me.

Question

I've had large breast my entire life (I'm talking bcup in the third grade and currently over spilling my H cup). I have RA(rheumatoid arthritis) and scoliosis. These make it extremely hard to workout(I'm only recommended to swim but can't find swimsuits that fit), but the first surgeon I went to said he wouldn't consider until I lost at least a 100pounds, when my drs recommend only 60-70. He just made feel like a cow. Should I go to another dr or weight it out, to see if I can ever lose the weight?

Ajay Mahajan, MD, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience. A high BMI can put you at an increased risk for a general anaesthetic for the surgery. Also, there are significant risks with wound breakdown and wound healing if operations are carried out in patients with a high BMI. If the large breasts are tipping you over into a high BMI and reducing them is goint to return you to a healthy BMI then you can have the surgery. But if your BMI is significantly high, then you do need to reduce weight before comteplating surgery. I can understand that it must he very hard for you with your RA, but you do need to ensure that surgery is safe for you. The medication that you are on for your RA would also increase risks with wound healing and this will also need to considered.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

I perform a liposuction breast lift that removes tissue from the areas you don't want such as near the armpit and the lower portion hanging near your stomach. Once I use this to shape the breast I then remove the skin to tighten the breast and create a better shape with nice cleavage. Since I perform this less invasively the recovery time is faster. The size would depend on the proportion with your body versus going for a cup size. It works very well if there are asymmetries. I can also use the removed fat as a natural breast augmentation by grafting the fat back into the breast to create more projection or into the top to create more cleavage. This procedure can also be combined with an implant if needed or wanted.  It should not affect nipple sensation, mammograms, cancer risk or breast-feeding. If you gain or lose weight, the transferred fat can do the same.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. First of all I recommend you to send your photos to us to tell you about your future procedure. I usually tell my patients that the first step for a safe plastic surgery is to choose a board certified aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon.

This should have a personal website containing details of his professional biography and some photos of the procedures performed.

Your plastic surgeon should be  transparent and a honest person with you, with ethical and human values, and especially with good reputation and history. Also, it's much better if this doctor have special training and experience in procedures like the one you're interested.Kind regards

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the disappointing consultation experience.Based on your picture and description you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery at some point; it tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. By removing “excess” breast tissue, adipose tissue, and breast skin this operation reduces and lifts the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. By doing so, patients often find improvement in neck, back, and shoulder discomfort and find it easier to form their activities of daily living and exercise.

Timing of the operation will depend on the patient's life circumstances. In general (ideally), it is best to do this procedure ( like all other elective body contouring the stages, when patients have reached their long-term stable weights. Losing weight prior to the procedure will improve the safety of the procedure and minimize the need for further surgery ( in the event of weight gain/loss after the breast reduction procedure). Keep in mind, that some of the complications that may occur when patients undergo surgery while overweight, can be very serious.

On the other hand, as you mentioned, patients with very large breasts have a difficult time exercising to their full potential; for some of these patients, breast reduction surgery (after careful consideration of potential risks/compliations is an option.  In my practice, I individualize these types of decisions, "case-by-case".

Best wishes as you work towards your goals and for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Kelly Killeen, MD, FACS · Answer

I am so sorry you had that experience.  RA is rough, and can make physical activity very difficult.  Patients with BMI over 30 can have increased complications following surgery.  For this reason, we typically try to work with patients to achieve a healthier weight prior to proceeding with surgery.  Depending on the circumstance, we do sometimes do elective surgical procedures on patients with a higher BMI.  I would recommend consulting with another surgeon to get another opinion.  Again I am sorry for your experience and hope you find a surgeon who makes you feel comfortable.

I need a breast reduction badly but the first doctor I went to just called me outright fat without listening to me.

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Answer: Breast reduction while overweight?

Answer: Breast reduction while overweight?

Answer: Breast reduction and weight requirements

Answer: Breast reduction and weight requirements

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I need a breast reduction badly but the first doctor I went to just called me outright fat without listening to me.

Answers (6)

Answer: Breast reduction while overweight?

Answer: Breast reduction while overweight?

Answer: Breast reduction and weight requirements

Answer: Breast reduction and weight requirements

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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