6 Common Myths About Breast Surgery

Whether you are interested in a breast reduction, lift, or augmentation, you have likely heard some of the myths surrounding breast surgery. Pop culture and the internet can provide information that often misrepresents reality. That is why, as a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I would like to debunk some of these breast surgery myths.

1. If you lose weight, you won’t need a breast reduction.  If you are overweight, weight loss may be a healthy thing to strive toward; however, weight loss cannot guarantee shrinkage in specific areas. Although you may be losing weight, you may not necessarily lose weight in your breasts because they contain glandular tissue in addition to fat. Glandular tissue is impossible to lose through exercise.
2. Implants cause autoimmune illness.All breast implants in the US are FDA cleared and many scientific studies show that breast implants are not linked to autoimmune or cancerous diseases.
3. You need to replace your breast implants every 10-12 years.There is no exact timeline in which your breast implants need to be replaced because they don’t expire. Breast implants need to be replaced if they have issues such as leakage or if you personally elect to have breast revision surgery. It is necessary to attend regular follow up appointments (or MRI’s for silicone breast implants) to minimize your risk for issues.
4. Breastfeeding is impossible after breast surgery.Breastfeeding is both possible and safe in most cases after a breast reduction or lift. Depending on your procedure, you may have trouble with milk production or nipple sensitivity, but these factors depend on the type of breast surgery and your personal goals.
5. You can have surgery to fit a specific cup size.While you will have an idea of what size you can expect your breasts to be, there is no way to know exactly what cup size you can expect your breasts to be. Many underwear manufacturers have different sizing scales depending on the designer or country of origin—because of this, a C-cup at one store might more closely resemble a B-cup or even a D-cup at another store.
6. Insurance will not pay for breast surgery.  This greatly depends on your circumstance and insurance provider. However, this is more often true than not. If you can provide evidence that your breast reduction is medically necessary, you might get approved. Talk to your insurance provider to learn more.<

If you have any questions about breast surgery, please contact my office at 404.843.0840. I, Dr. John LeRoy, and my staff would be happy to help you navigate the breast surgery process. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more information about cosmetic surgery.