Breast Reduction

When it comes to breast surgery, there are a number of procedures that are available to alter the breast shape, size and appearance. If you are interested in a breast augmentation, lift or reduction, chances are you have come across your fair share of myths and rumors regarding these surgical procedures. To help you decipher fact from fiction, I have debunked five common myths I typically hear about breast surgery.

#1: Losing weight eliminates the need for breast reduction.

There is a common misperception that losing excess weight can help to naturally reduce breast size. Unfortunately, weight loss does not necessarily guarantee that your breast size will shrink. The breasts are made up of both glandular tissue and fat and it is impossible to lose excess glandular tissue through weight loss and exercise.

#2: Breast implants need to be replaced after 10 years.

While breast implants are not expected to last forever, they also have no standard expiration date. Replacing your breast implants is only necessary if there are issues, such as a leakage or a rupture, or if you decide you’d prefer a different size or type of implant. In order to minimize possible complications, it is important to attend regular follow-up appointments following your surgery.

#3: You cannot breastfeed after breast surgery.

If you are planning on having children, you may be worried that undergoing breast surgery could affect your ability to safely breastfeed. Fortunately, there are little to no risks associated with breast surgery that would impact future pregnancy or breastfeeding. Rarely, milk production and nipple sensitivity can be affected depending on what type of breast surgery you undergo. Additionally, there are no medical risks for babies who are breastfed by women with breast implants. As always, I will guide you through what to expect post-procedure during your consultation.

#4: You can have surgery to perfectly fit a certain cup size.

When undergoing breast augmentation surgery, you will have an idea of what size your breasts will be, but it is extremely difficult to know what your exact cup size will be. Because implant sizing is measured in cubic centimeters, or ccs, not cup sizes, this makes predicting your final cup size a challenge. Additionally, when I perform this procedure, one of my main goals is for the end results to look natural and align with the dimensions of your body. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your sizing options and find the perfect fit for your vision.

#5: Any surgeon can perform breast surgery.

When choosing a surgeon to perform your breast surgery, there are a number of important factors to watch out for. An important distinction is to make sure that your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon. While any surgeon can offer breast surgery, only board-certified plastic surgeons have years of specialized training and experience and are certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Another important factor is their prior breast surgery experience. For example, a talented physician who specializes in liposuction, but has little breast surgery experience might not be the best choice. Fortunately, I have over 30 years of experience performing breast augmentation, lift and reduction surgeries.

Separating fact from fiction is an essential part of learning more about breast surgery. If you have any questions about breast surgery, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Also, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more plastic surgery insights and monthly specials.