Can breast reduction operations remove too much tissue?
There is an old saying that the key to plastic surgery is “just enough but not too much”. This is very much the case with breast reduction surgery – where the goal is to remove enough breast volume that the patient experiences an improvement in her symptoms, but not TOO much volume such that the breasts are now too small and out of proportion with the rest of the body.
Sydney Plastic Surgeon, Dr Damian Marucci, recently answered a question on this very topic on the breast.com.au forum. The question was:
A breast reduction is something that I have spoken to my doctor about and they agree that it is a good idea for me, so once I have had children I will be doing it… but How much smaller is too small?
I am 21 years old and currently a 16J… I am in the process of losing weight but I still worry that I will look out of proportion. I have seen people that have gone down 2-3 sizes and they have looked “not right”
What do you think?
And Dr Marucci’s response was:
A breast reduction involves not only reducing the volume of the breast, but also improving the shape of the breast. The shape of the breast may need improving if the breast tissue has “sagged” off the chest wall – a condition known as “ptosis”. Breast reduction surgery involves not only removing the excess breast tissue, but also moving the nipple/remaining breast tissue – with its blood supply and nerve supply – into a new improved position. A certain amount of breast tissue, therefore, needs to be preserved to safely protect the nerve and blood supply to the nipple. For this reason, it may not be possible to make your breasts a B cup (for example) if you are starting from a J cup.
As plastic surgeons, we are trained to accurately assess and measure your current breast dimensions and then give you a realistic idea about what can and can’t be achieved. It is important to discuss in great detail with your surgeon what your goals are with the surgery, and then your surgeon will let you know whether they think your goals are achievable. All that being said, breast reduction surgery is very popular. The vast majority of patients are delighted with the outcome.
To see some examples of Dr Marucci’s breast reduction results, click here.
Dr Marucci is an expert, specialist plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon who has rooms in Kogarah in Sydney’s south, and Caringbah, in the heart of the Sutherland Shire. Dr Marucci performs breast reduction surgery both as day surgery and as an inpatient procedure (where patients can recover in a private hospital).
If you are interested in breast reduction surgery, or would like further information, contact Dr Marucci’s rooms today.
