5 Biggest Myths About Breast ReductionsBigger isn’t always better. Women who have larger breasts may have to deal with a variety of issues and complications that their less-endowed peers don’t have to worry about. Larger breasts can put strain on the back, neck and shoulders. They can make it harder to play sports and engage in other athletic activities. And they can draw unwanted attention.
For women who are struggling with these issues, or who think they would look better with a smaller bust, breast reduction surgery can be the answer to their prayers. Breast reductions remove excess tissue and reshape the entire breast into something that is smaller and symmetrical. Unfortunately, many women are hesitant to look into the surgery because of all the myths about breast reductions and misconceptions that surround it.
At the office of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard J. Brown, we’ve helped women of all ages, shapes and sizes find wholeness and wellness by helping them discover the bodies of their dreams. Sometimes to feel whole, some women need to have a little less in their life, and Dr. Brown has the qualifications and expertise to help make that happen. If you’re wondering if breast reductions are right for you but have some concerns, read on as we debunk five of the biggest myths about breast reductions.
Myth 1: You can reduce your breast size through weight loss.
Regular exercise can do you a world of good. It will get you into better shape, it will keep your heart healthy and it will get you to lose weight. If your body is a temple, exercise and a healthy diet are the two pillars holding that temple up. But there’s one thing exercise WON’T do: Reduce the size of your breasts!
Weight loss can have some effect on your breast size, but it won’t make a significant difference the way reductions can. Breasts are made up of two types of tissue: glandular tissue and fat tissue. Sometimes women will gain fatty tissue in their breasts when they gain weight. They may end up losing some of that fatty tissue when they lose weight. Glandular tissue, on the other hand, is different. Glandular tissue develops in response to hormones, and how much of it you have often depends on your genetics. Glandular tissue does not go away with weight loss nor can it be removed with liposuction. The only way to safely remove glandular tissue is through a breast reduction.
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If you know that your breasts tend to get smaller when you weigh less, let Dr. Brown know. He may recommend that you achieve a lower body weight and maintain it prior to surgery. This will reduce the amount of fatty tissue that will need to be removed during the operation. It also has the added benefit of improving your overall health, which will make the healing process easier for you.
Related: When You Should Consider a Breast Reduction
Myth 2: You won’t be able to breastfeed after breast reductions.
Contrary to what you may have heard, you CAN breastfeed after getting a reduction. In most cases of modern breast reductions, during surgery the nipple is left attached to the underlying tissue. This is known as the inferior pedicle technique. It’s only in the rarest of cases where a nipple needs to be completely removed and reattached. It is advised that you wait three to six month after you finish breastfeeding to allow your breasts to return to their normal size before having surgery done.
If you have difficulty expressing milk from your reconstructed nipple, this can be due to a compromised milk supply, nerve damage to the nipple and areola or other issues. In these kind of situations, you do have some options to help get you breastfeeding again. Ask your doctor if he can supply you with or recommend any lactation aids. You can also use galactagogues, which are herbs that can increase your milk supply. If those options don’t work out, you can always bottle feed with expressed milk.
Make sure that you let your doctor know that you plan to breastfeed in the future before the surgery. You’ll also want to be sure that you’re getting your reduction done by a medical professional who understands how milk production and breasts work. A great way to insure that you won’t be able to breastfeed anymore is to put yourself in the hands of a doctor who doesn’t really know what they are doing. Don’t make that mistake: Put yourself in the qualified and board certified hands of Dr. Brown.
Related: Why it’s Important to Tell Your Plastic Surgeon About Health Issues
Myth 3: They are not covered by insurance.
While it’s true that there are many plastic surgery procedures that insurances do not cover, breast reductions are usually an exception to the rule. Since reductions are often sought after to relieve pain and physical stress brought on by overly large breasts, they aren’t considered “non-essential” surgeries like some other types of plastic surgery. Not all insurance companies cover reductions, however, so it’s important to get in touch with your insurance company to see what they do and do not cover.
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One other advantage that reductions have over some other types of breast surgeries is that they usually don’t require any upkeep. Once a reduction is healed, you’re good to go for the rest of your life! But if you feel the need to make further reductions, augmentations or lifts, you can do so.
Related: Phoenix Breast Reduction Candidates
Myth 4: Breast reduction surgery is the same as a breast lift.
It’s a common misconception that breast reductions and breast lifts are the same procedure. The reason why they get confused for each other is because they’re often done at the same time.
Many surgeons will do a lift as part of a reduction. Breasts that have been given a reduction with liposuction and no lift may end up drooping. The lift moves your breast tissue higher on the chest wall and firms up your breasts, giving them a more youthful look. Sometimes the nipples may be repositioned so that they are higher on the breast mound, which also helps gives your breasts a younger and more firm appearance.
Another reason that lifts and breast reductions are often paired with each other is convenience. Both procedures are made by making the same incisions, so you wouldn’t get any additional scars. And rather than having to endure two separate healing periods, you can deal with both around the same time frame and come out of it ready to take on the world!
Myth 5: You can choose your new cup size.
Some people like to think of breast reductions “alphabetically”: “I’ve got a D cup, and I’d like to go down to a C.” Having an image in mind of what you want to look like and sharing that vision with your doctor is a good idea. But you’ll want to be flexible when you’re imagining your cup size, because the truth is it’s actually very difficult to predict the cup size you’ll end up with after a reduction.
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You can get a good idea of what the new size and shape of your breasts will be like from a visual standpoint through computer imaging or before and after photos of patients with similar breast sizes. It’s important to keep in mind that all our bodies are built differently, and that your results may vary. Anyone who’s been bra shopping knows that one company’s B cup is another company’s A! Your breasts may swell up after surgery, so you may get an inaccurate sense of how big or small your breasts are now during the first week of recovery. You’ll want to hold off updating your wardrobe until after the procedure is done and you’ve healed up.
Related: Should I Go Smaller or Bigger for a Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy?
Your cup size isn’t as important as making sure that your new breasts are symmetrical, balanced and complement your figure. So before you start thinking you may need another reduction, live with them for a few months. It’s a common reaction for many plastic surgery patients to feel like they could have either done more or less after a procedure is finished. It’s hard to get perspective when you go through a sudden physical change. Give yourself time to get used to the new you. Trust the work that Dr. Brown has put into helping you achieve your dream!
More Myths About Breast Reductions
To find out if a breast reduction is right for you, or to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Richard J. Brown, give us a call at 480-568-3804.
