Ask Dr. Elliott: Questions About Breast Reduction

As time goes on, people’s preferences for their appearance change. This happens on both an individual and societal level, leading to new trends that emerge over the years. One such trend that we’ve seen recently in the world of cosmetic surgery is the preference for smaller, more natural-looking breasts. While this obviously may change on a person-to-person basis, many fewer women today seem to want the especially large, voluminous breasts that were once in vogue. I perform breast reduction surgery to help women who wish to decrease the size of their breasts. To help patients gain a better understanding of this procedure and what it can do, I have answered a few common questions about breast reduction surgery.

Question #1: How do I know if I need breast reduction or a breast lift?

These two procedures are often conflated, but they are different and serve different functions. During a breast lift, excess skin is removed to alter the positioning of the breasts without drastically changing their size. Breast reduction focuses more on the removal of tissue from the breast to reduce size and volume, although the breasts are typically also lifted in the process.

Question #2: What’s the best time to undergo breast reduction surgery?

This depends on your specific needs and circumstances. For women whose large breasts are causing back pain and posture issues, the desire to undergo breast reduction may be expedited. The “best” time is whatever time feels right to you. One factor to keep in mind is that pregnancy can negatively affect the results of your surgery, so I recommend waiting until after you are done having children.

Question #3: Can I choose a specific cup size that I want to achieve with my breast reduction?

While you do have the ability to choose how much you want to reduce your breast size, basing your choice on a particular cup size isn’t the best strategy. Similar to breast augmentation surgery, patients shouldn’t expect to achieve a specific cup size with their breast reduction. Cup sizes are not standardized and vary depending on the bra manufacturer. Regardless of this, the satisfaction rate among breast reduction patients is extremely high in my experience.

I hope you found these questions and answers helpful. Breast reduction surgery can be an excellent way for women to achieve the smaller, more modest breasts that they desire. The first step in any patient’s breast reduction journey is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to confirm that they are a good candidate for the procedure. For more information, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a plastic surgery consultation. You can also follow along with me on Facebook and Twitter for additional tips, news, and more.