Ask a Surgeon - Breast Reduction - My breasts are a size 38DD. I want to have them substantially reduced. Is there...

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My breasts are a size 38DD. I want to have them substantially reduced. Is there a...

Q:

My breasts are a size 38DD. I want to have them substantially reduced. Is there a limit as to how much a surgeon can reduce breast size (guidelines, etc.)?

A:

In the course of a consultation for breast reduction there takes place a discussion of expectations, specifically, upon recovery from surgery, how will the breasts look and what size will they be.

The primary goal of breast reduction is to alleviate the symptoms of the breasts being disproportionally large. The usual goal is to make the breasts proportional to the torso. Usually the patient's first instinct is to make the breasts very small, but a year after surgery when it's time to put on the evening gown or bathing suit, proportionality usually prevails. In any event, prior to surgery there should be a long discussion and clear communication regarding outcome and post-operative size. Although, as surgeons we don't have a cup size measurer in the operating room, usually the results will reflect the patient's desires.

If expectations exceed what can be reasonably accomplished during the course of a breast reduction it is imperative that those red flags are raised prior to surgery. The patient needs to be honest with the surgeon regarding goals, and if those goals can not be reasonably met by the surgeon, surgery should not go forward.