How Can You Tell if Your Breast is More Tissue Than Fat?

Hi Tessaleann,

An experienced plastic surgeon can estimate whether your breast contains significant fat, but mammography is more accurate.  The mammography images give a picture of the relative fatty and glandular tissues, and are graded by the radiologist on the BI-RADS system, where a BI-RADS 1 means that your breast is over 75% fat, and a BI-RADS 4 breast is over 75% gland.

It’s
virtually impossible to estimate the relative proportion of glandular tissue to
fatty tissue in any particular women’s breasts. This ratio can be affected by
multiple variables including, genetics, hormonal status, patient’s weight and
age.A past history of breast shrinkage
with weight loss suggests the presence of significant amounts of fat.In contrast breasts that don’t change with
weight loss are likely to have more glandular tissue.Your history indicates that your
breasts have remained unchanged despite weight loss.This suggests a relatively high proportion of
glandular tissue in your breasts.Under
these circumstances you would probably be an excellent candidate for breast
reduction surgery.

Dear Tessa,

All women have a combination of breast parenchyma and fat in their breasts. Concentration of fat is mostly dependent on BMI status.

Based on your height and weight your BMI is 22 which means you are not overweight. BMI range and fat concentration in breasts is often equally proportional. In addition, the fact that despite loosing weight and not decreasing in breast size tells me that your breasts are mostly composed of parenchyma.

Congratulations on your successful weight loss!

Kind regards,

Dr. H