I (Darlene) have known and respected the blogger behind Les Gros Bonnets for many years–I even got to spend an afternoon with her in Paris four years ago. Her perspective on the H+ experience is invaluable, and I couldn’t believe Hourglassy‘s good fortune when she contacted me after her breast reduction surgery to suggest writing for us. You are going to get SO MUCH out of her new column, Still Busty.
When I decided to get a breast reduction, I had fantasies of going really small, running free with nothing in the way. I quickly realized that it wasn’t even an option. There are various reasons why you might end up larger than you expected after a reduction, some avoidable, some not.
If your surgeon and you have different images of what « a full C » is…
During your consult, the surgeon is going to discuss with you the size they can get you too. Be aware that most people have a skewed view of cup sizes and if they say they can bring you down to a C cup or D cup, that is pretty meaningless, especially if you’re wearing a small band size, as in my experience, when people mention cup sizes without specifying band size, they tend to have a 34-36 band in mind. In any case, check if you are on the same page by asking them to show you pictures of past patients with results similar to what you can expect. Asking if they think they can get your breasts half as small or two-third as small will give you a more accurate idea than discussing cup size. You may want to ask them how many grams, pounds or cc they’re planning to remove. They won’t be able to tell you for sure, but their answer will help you figure out if you’re on the same page.
This graph can be helpful to get an idea of how much your breasts weigh.
If your surgeon is concerned with an aesthetic ideal…
The surgeon might tell you not to worry about size and that they are just going to make you more proportional. It can be helpful if you want the relief of a reduction, but have a hard time picturing what you will look like in your future size. Still, I have some issues with that way of proceeding. Most people don’t have this surgery for cosmetic reasons alone, so being proportional might not be your goal. A chubbier woman might want to be almost flat chested because that would suit her lifestyle better, a smaller woman might want to stay somewhat busty because she built her identity that way. The patient might have unrealistic expectations but the surgeon should at least listen and discuss. Some surgeons think that since they are the experts, they get to decide what will look best on you. I believe you are the expert on how you feel in your body and should make sure there is some dialogue. If the surgeon seems to force their aesthetic tastes on you, don’t be scared to shop around.
If your breasts are on the wide side…
If your surgeon say they want to make your breasts proportional, they might mean a completely different thing from what I discussed above. A reduction will not impact your breast footprint, that is the width and height of where your breast root attach to your chest. It can only reduce the projection (or length) and possibly the fullness.As a result, reduced breasts tend to be wider and taller, so shallower. At some point, reducing them further would give a shape with almost no projection, like very wide pancakes. Beyond the potential aesthetic concern, that shape will be hard to fit in a regular bra. Of course, if this is something you don’t mind, discuss it with your surgeon.
If you start from a very large size/have dense tissue
Large reductions are kown to be riskier. Complications such as nipple necrosis in particular are more frequent after a certain size. To avoid compromising blood flow, a surgeon may decide to remove less breast tissue than originally planned. If the distance between your collarbone and your nipple is longer than around 40 cm and/or if you want to remove a large amount of tissue (say over 1500 g/breast), they may also recommend you have a free nipple graft, a procedure through which your nipple is completely cut off and sewn back later instead of keeping it attached to a band of tissue before replacing it at the right spot. Should you chose to get a free nipple graft, beware that you’ll very likely won’t be able to breastfeed or have erotic feeling in your nipple anymore. Once again, discuss it with your surgeon and if you’re feeling unsure, shop around.
As for me, I measured as a 34L the week before my surgery and was a 34FF/G two weeks after. I wish I could have gone smaller (and I might still loose a cup size or two, as you only get your definite result one year post op), but I went in knowing from the start that with my size and breast footprint, I would never be a 34C/D. I felt that it would still be worth it to get in the D-G range. And I’m thrilled this could be achieved without a free nipple graft. Whatever you decide, be sure to do your research and manage your expectations.
Thank you, this is indeed fascinating reading. Always good to keep other perspectives in mind: I’m wearing a 32FF/G cup these days and used to thinking of myself as larger chested. it’s interesting to see this as you’re your “small size” 😉 Reading about the nipple graft, I had to gasp out loud…
I wish you happiness with the results!
Thanks!
That’s true about perspective, but there are also a lot of things that come into play in our perception of what’s a big, average or small chest: frame size, overall height and size of the person, breast shape and projection… I used to be about the same volume (smaller band, larger cup) as a teen and felt huge. I also see before/after of women with my current size as their “before”, and they also look bigger. Reduced breasts are typically shallower and fuller on bottom. That results in a more compact chest and a smaller profile.
I hope still busty will be a regular column , and definetly looking forward reading it. I also had a reduction a few month ago with very similar before and after sizes, and I am a bit lost on what to wear with this still busty figure. Before the surgery all my clothes were either custom made or from busty retailers like Urkye/ Dd atelier/ Biubiu/ bravissimo. Now, none of those fit, but with 34F I am still too busty for most RTW. Plus becausethe pandemic , I can not go around to the malls to try on all the different brands to see what might work.
I hope the column is helpful! I’m also still figuring out how to dress my new figure, but I was lucky enough to be able to try on stuff in store before the pandemic. I’m happy to report that there are so many more options both in terms of what fits and what is flattering. I was thrilled to fit in some RTW and in lots of cases, things can fit with very minor alterations (like an extra stitch on a wrap dress, or adding a snap fastener on a button up). I have kept my surgical bra and use it as a minimizer with a dress that would otherwise need an extra stitch and that I haven’t taken to the tailor due to the pandemic. Also, some of my old tops could be saved by tucking them in my pants or skirt.
I’m quite late to the party, although I’d like to add, “shop around for a surgeon.”
I had mine done by a mastectomy/reconstruction specialist and she was able to take me from a 34H/I to a 32C. I had side lipo to remove migrated tissue, hence the band change, it put my breasts in what she calls a “small C/full B.” It was done without the nipple graft, and even if she had to do that, she said many women do get sensation back around a year post-op. I am very happy with my results.
I’ve seen others suggest looking for a surgeon who does top surgery (complete masculinization) of the shape and removal of breast tissue, as they have more practice in going smaller.
Some women who don’t expect to breastfeed are even opting for nipple free breasts, there are many options.
Even so, having a reduction changes everything, it’s true, although some favorite things can be salvaged with a good tailor making some alterations.
Thank you so much for writing this; the way you describe the wide roots when reducing was like a lightbulb moment to me. I’ve recently had a reduction from 30K to 30F and was devastated as I was promised a C. I’ve been Googling non stop and causing extra anxiety for myself. Your description has helped me to understand that the C was not possible for me and that I literally would have ended up with pancake boobs. 30F was probably the smallest I could go and that having tiny boobs is never really going to be an option for me because of my wide roots!! My mind is blown and I’m now finally understanding and processing my reduction. Thank you!