Can I have breast reduction to become flat chested?

Question

I am a 20 year old and I have been considering getting breast reduction for some time. I am a D cup, but wish to get reduced to the point where I can appear flat chested. I am not a person wishing to transition from one sex to another. I want to reduce my breasts for the following reasons. I have had chest, neck and back pains since they developed when I was 12 and that I just no longer wish to have breasts. Is full breast reduction possible for me?

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD, MS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In short, yes you can have your breasts reduced a great deal, but it is also possible for you to lessen the burden caused by your breasts by reducing to a smaller size.  Please be seen in person by a board certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in the procedure to determine what would be the best course of action for you.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us. After having analyzed all the information provided to us, i can realize that you have very large breasts for your height and weight, and can be responsible for head, back, neck and shoulder pain.In the future may cause  permanent osteo-articular damage in the back and shoulders and skin problems (mainly under the breasts). For for this reasons, certainly you need a breast reduction surgery.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, there.  If you have large breasts that are giving you physical symptoms and giving you limitations on daily work/activities, you can benefit from breast reduction.  Breast reduction is a great procedure to reduce breast size and to lift them at the same time. Things to consider..1. Select your plastic surgeon carefully 2. Learn about breast reduction - benefits, limitations, alternatives3. Breast reduction will reduce your breast size; however, some breast tissue needs to be left to maintain blood supply to nipple.4. You will have scars from breast lift.5.  Your nipple sensation may change or decrease from surgery.6. Breast feeding ability may decrease from surgery.Best wishes.

Patrick C. Wilson, MD · Answer

In order to make you flat chested, you would likely require a free nipple graft breast reduction that involves removing the nipples completely, performing the reduction, and replacing the nipples as a skin graft.  When performing a standard breast reduction, we are limited on how small we can make a patient's breast because we have to keep enough breast tissue to keep the blood supply to the nipples intact.  Two of the large drawbacks to performing a free nipple graft breast reduction is guaranteed loss of nipple sensation and ability to breast feed in the future.  You do not have to make a patient flat chested to dramatically improve back/neck/shoulder discomfort and rashes under breasts.  You will likely be very pleasantly surprised how much your symptoms improve with a standard breast reduction.  Basically think of how much easier it is to carry a half gallon of milk against your chest than a full gallon of milk with your arms stretched straight out as an analogy.  I wish you the best with your plastic surgery journey!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are talking about almost having a mastectomy. While this can be done, it is not recommended.

Stephen M. Chen, MD · Answer

Thanks for asking a good question.  Breast reduction is designed to make breasts smaller and then secondarily help to reduce neck back and shoulder pain.  You will need to be evaluated and then your options can be discussed.   Please come by for an evaluaition!

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

You could achieve your goals without being totally flat chested. For aesthetic purposes, a small B cup might produce the best outcome in proportion to the rest of your torso.

Can I have breast reduction to become flat chested?

Answers (7)

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