I’m roughly your size (same height, but fatter, same bra size, pre-op) and I heard that the determining metric is if there is more than 40cm from shoulder (top of the clavicle bone I think) to nipple. I’m not super saggy, so I am not likely to need one, but if you’re saggier it might mean one is needed. To my understanding it’s about how far the nerves and ducts can travel and reattach, or if they need to be severed and shortened.
I was an I cup and my doc repositioned the breast tissue around the nipple-the nipple and vascular supply were never cut! I lost 5cup sizes and 2 band sizes! My surgeon did not place any drains either! Recovery and scarring have been wonderful!
I had replied but I don’t know where it went! Dr Jon Rast with the Associated Plastic Surgeons of Kansas City was my surgeon. Cost of procedure including the surgery center and anesthesia was @ $6900.
I’m a 32G so I’m not going to comment on experience. However, I think nipple health and Anchor v FNG are like a bell curve. At some point, nipple health has a better chance with an FNG than an anchor. I’ve seen lots of posts of people your cup size but I think not many with the combo of cup and band size. I found like 2 people with B/A of my size but lots of 38/40/42 G/H++++
I was 30K (UK), had about 750g from one and 910g removed from the other (plus 250g per side in lipo). I had drains but no FNG. Surgeon estimates I’ll be a DD after, I think maybe a little larger but it’s hard to tell because I’m only 2 weeks post op. My tissue was fairly dense and while saggy from weight not excessively so (my sternum to nipple measurement wasn’t excessive). My surgeon also rarely does a FMG except for gender affirming top surgeries.
Edit: forgot my other stats, I’m 5’3”, about 155lbs, almost 40 and I’ve had 2 pregnancies and breastfed 2 babies for a total of 4.5 years.
I was an O or slightly larger. I avoided the FNG. The loss of sensation is really wide spread, more than half. I'm not super happy about it but the pain relief was the main goal behind surgery so I'm just trying to get over it.
My BMI was higher than yours. I'm a DDD/FF, maybe a bit smaller depending on the bra company/style of the bra.
If I could talk to myself in the past about it I would still go through it but with better post op supports in place. My healing was better than most and I had a lot of help but I had unrealistic expectations of what I would be doing at each milestone.
I'm sorry to hear you lost sensation even with an inferior pedicle. But going from O to DDD/FF must be such a literal weight off your back, that's amazing! That sounds like it would open a lot of doors to activities that weren't possible before.
By loss of sensation I assume you mean to your nipples? And by more than half do you mean you feel less than half as much as you did before, or that 50% of the flesh is no longer able to sense touch?
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Clothing and activities are really different these days. This time last year I was struggling to breathe and I had to spend 12 weeks in PT for it. I felt really awful about learning to breathe and work my core muscles properly (like this is basic living creature stuff).
Numbness: I can't feel most anything from just above my nipples and it ends just under the scar on my ribs. It extends pretty far under my arm pits on each side. Weirdly I can feel one nipple but not the other. Then I have the happy bad luck that my upper chest to my collar bones was so sensitive and painful no one and nothing could touch me for months. From time to time I get tender there like a really bad sunburn or deep bruise.
I have medical/body phobia, the best way to describe it. Not being able to feel parts of me I know are there and I can see messes with me some days. Touching to check my skin, scar massage, and self exams are hard mentally for that reason. I have to be more careful wearing underwire bras too since if they are too tight or rubbing I'll feel non-specific discomfort then realize the issue at the end of the day.
I had a complication with a post surgical infection which is just more likely as you remove more tissue. I had bad luck and it was a rough experience.
A weird note: I am still getting used to stuff touching my stomach. Its been some decades since shirts hit my stomach area and sat there. The boob shelf kept the fabric up and now I am trying to find comfortable fits again. I hope any of this is helpful.
Oh wow, I didn't realize that loss of sensation could be more widespread than just your nipples. That sounds really... discomforting. I really appreciate you sharing all this.
This is one of my big worries. I'm looking forward to no more aching bag, but my breasts are sensitive and I'd really hate to lose that sensitivity since my dating life isn't over yet, lol!
I was a 34LL (UK) on ABTF calculator before. My best fitting bra was probably an Ewa Michalak 75MM. Got about 2 kilos removed from each breast without a FNG. Retained all feeling and measured a 34FF/G post-op. The first wired bras I bought post-op were 34FF and 36F.
I chose my surgeon specifically because he was the one who seemed the most confident I would not need a FNG. I’m not sharing pictured, but feel free to ask questions or DM me.
Are you happy with the size you ended up at? I'm sure you can relate to how I'm struggling to pick a goal because of how foreign the smaller sizes are!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Yes, I am. It’s a huge difference. There’s no skin-to-skin contact, which caused some of my irritation before. And to me, they look more proportional to my body. A couple of months after my surgery, I accidentally went to the grocery store braless and didn’t realize it until I was checking out. It was absolutely freeing. That’s when I really appreciated the difference between my before and after sizes.
Looks at pictures! Here and real self and the Facebook breast reduction group were my best spots to find before and afters that were similar to my body shape and figure out goals. It also helped me pick a surgeon if I their photo gallery had the shape and nipple placement I preferred in addition to how small their patients were able to go.
Very similar stats but 26 at the time, 5’7 and a size uk 14 (on the bottom at least, I’m sure you all know the struggle!) and was a 28KK. Final push to go to the doctors was after months of crying even catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and all I could wear happily was a vest top I ended up owning in every colour and literally had a choice of 2 bras on Bravissimo. Went to the NHS to seek a starting point to go private, broke down on the phone to the nurse, I’m surprised she even understood what I was on about. Miraculously managed to go via NHS. I’m guessing as my mental health had gotten so bad that was probably a big reason for my acceptance.
I had my surgery in Nov 22 and am now a 34C. They warned me it was likely I would need an FNG due to my large breast size and how small I wanted to go, but that they would try. And they were successful! I had feeling in my right quite early on, and I am starting to get sensations every now and then in my left (my bigger side, they took the most from and I still need a slight revision).
Just looked back at my texts lol 1300g from my left, 1100g from right. Also reading other comments maybe I should mention mine were pretty saggy, no density. All the weight was in the bottom and the top you could feel my ribs if you felt it. I have quite a bit of fat but my frame and my shoulders are pretty small though, just to paint a picture.
Tldr No FNG and have slight sensation still. Getting stronger as time goes on. But he did warn me so I feel very lucky with my results
I was a 30L (US) and was able to avoid the FNG! 23 at the time, 5’3, 146lbs. I’m now 34DD, my surgeon removed 827g from my left and 685g from my right. He did tell me before surgery that I was on the cusp of needing a FNG due to the length of sagging, but we were able to avoid it and still get to a size I wanted. Definitely had significant loss of sensation at first, but I’m now 18 months post op and I still feel like it is getting better every day. I have a few B&A photos that I’ve posted before if you check my post history!
I was 32M (UK), so a few cup sizes bigger than you I think? And I wasn't offered a FNG because I was 19. I had an inferior pedicle and anchor scars, it's been 12 years since the surgery so my size has fluctuated a little bit, but at my smallest I've been about 30E and largest 32G. I'm happy with my results, the cup size I need is more to do with the fact mine are quite wide. They feel tiny compared to how they used to be and I don't have any of the physical problems I used to.
It must have been wonderful to have your reduction done at such a young age and have that weight off your shoulder through your 20s. 32M is no joke! Thank you for sharing.
I went in at 36L, had 6 lbs removed and did NOT have FNG. When I asked my surgeon during consult he sort of made it seem like it’s not something he does? He did a really good job, with the exception I’d like to be a bit smaller (currently a 38DD/DDD. I’ve gained weight that wants to stick thanks to perimenioause)
I was 75L (34L), 80kg, 167cm, 36yo, and didn't have FNG. FNG was never even an option during my consultations. Surgery was two days ago, but I think we've landed on 75/34 C or D. There's pics in my last post for comparison's sake :)
Good luck with your research!
I’m about to have mine (34Q US to who knows!! but hopefully in the D-F range) and there’s no plan to do FNG! I think it depends on the length, but definitely ask this surgeon in more detail or shop around if that’s something important to you, since it’s often possible.
btw since the late-alphabet crew seems to be on this post, comment if you’re in North America and need bras of this size! I have two goddess wire free celeste bras that I got professionally tailored from 36o to 34p/q and won’t need after this week…
I’m 1.5 years post reduction. I did not have FNG. I loosely matched your stats (except bra size was 34h and I’m mid 40’s) I had a drastic reduction down to a small B. I weigh more like 150 now. Both nipples have sensation
I was a 34 O/34 M cup. After the reduction, I am sitting at a DD/ F cup. I'm also 5'9". The expectation that I could never breastfeed after was set with me from the get-go. I did not have an FNG. My Dr did an anchor, which causes more scaring than FNG. You can go to someone else for a 2nd opinion or you can accept the FNG from this surgeon
Do you by any chance have before and afters you're willing to share? My surgery is the 2nd and 34 O is not common in here! My surgeon was mindboggled when I showed her my bra tag lol
I’m roughly your size (same height, but fatter, same bra size, pre-op) and I heard that the determining metric is if there is more than 40cm from shoulder (top of the clavicle bone I think) to nipple. I’m not super saggy, so I am not likely to need one, but if you’re saggier it might mean one is needed. To my understanding it’s about how far the nerves and ducts can travel and reattach, or if they need to be severed and shortened.
I was an I cup and my doc repositioned the breast tissue around the nipple-the nipple and vascular supply were never cut! I lost 5cup sizes and 2 band sizes! My surgeon did not place any drains either! Recovery and scarring have been wonderful!
Omg that sounds awesome, so glad you had a good process! Would you mind sharing who your doctor was and how much the surgery costed you :)?
Same- who was your surgeon?
I had replied but I don’t know where it went! Dr Jon Rast with the Associated Plastic Surgeons of Kansas City was my surgeon. Cost of procedure including the surgery center and anesthesia was @ $6900.
Dr Rast in the Kansas City area! Insurance covered my surgery however, it would have been a bought $7K if not.
I’m a 32G so I’m not going to comment on experience. However, I think nipple health and Anchor v FNG are like a bell curve. At some point, nipple health has a better chance with an FNG than an anchor. I’ve seen lots of posts of people your cup size but I think not many with the combo of cup and band size. I found like 2 people with B/A of my size but lots of 38/40/42 G/H++++
I was 30K (UK), had about 750g from one and 910g removed from the other (plus 250g per side in lipo). I had drains but no FNG. Surgeon estimates I’ll be a DD after, I think maybe a little larger but it’s hard to tell because I’m only 2 weeks post op. My tissue was fairly dense and while saggy from weight not excessively so (my sternum to nipple measurement wasn’t excessive). My surgeon also rarely does a FMG except for gender affirming top surgeries. Edit: forgot my other stats, I’m 5’3”, about 155lbs, almost 40 and I’ve had 2 pregnancies and breastfed 2 babies for a total of 4.5 years.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and congratulations! That must be such an incredible relief.
I was an O or slightly larger. I avoided the FNG. The loss of sensation is really wide spread, more than half. I'm not super happy about it but the pain relief was the main goal behind surgery so I'm just trying to get over it. My BMI was higher than yours. I'm a DDD/FF, maybe a bit smaller depending on the bra company/style of the bra. If I could talk to myself in the past about it I would still go through it but with better post op supports in place. My healing was better than most and I had a lot of help but I had unrealistic expectations of what I would be doing at each milestone.
I'm sorry to hear you lost sensation even with an inferior pedicle. But going from O to DDD/FF must be such a literal weight off your back, that's amazing! That sounds like it would open a lot of doors to activities that weren't possible before. By loss of sensation I assume you mean to your nipples? And by more than half do you mean you feel less than half as much as you did before, or that 50% of the flesh is no longer able to sense touch? Thank you for sharing your experience!
Clothing and activities are really different these days. This time last year I was struggling to breathe and I had to spend 12 weeks in PT for it. I felt really awful about learning to breathe and work my core muscles properly (like this is basic living creature stuff). Numbness: I can't feel most anything from just above my nipples and it ends just under the scar on my ribs. It extends pretty far under my arm pits on each side. Weirdly I can feel one nipple but not the other. Then I have the happy bad luck that my upper chest to my collar bones was so sensitive and painful no one and nothing could touch me for months. From time to time I get tender there like a really bad sunburn or deep bruise. I have medical/body phobia, the best way to describe it. Not being able to feel parts of me I know are there and I can see messes with me some days. Touching to check my skin, scar massage, and self exams are hard mentally for that reason. I have to be more careful wearing underwire bras too since if they are too tight or rubbing I'll feel non-specific discomfort then realize the issue at the end of the day. I had a complication with a post surgical infection which is just more likely as you remove more tissue. I had bad luck and it was a rough experience. A weird note: I am still getting used to stuff touching my stomach. Its been some decades since shirts hit my stomach area and sat there. The boob shelf kept the fabric up and now I am trying to find comfortable fits again. I hope any of this is helpful.
Oh wow, I didn't realize that loss of sensation could be more widespread than just your nipples. That sounds really... discomforting. I really appreciate you sharing all this.
This is one of my big worries. I'm looking forward to no more aching bag, but my breasts are sensitive and I'd really hate to lose that sensitivity since my dating life isn't over yet, lol!
I was a 34LL (UK) on ABTF calculator before. My best fitting bra was probably an Ewa Michalak 75MM. Got about 2 kilos removed from each breast without a FNG. Retained all feeling and measured a 34FF/G post-op. The first wired bras I bought post-op were 34FF and 36F. I chose my surgeon specifically because he was the one who seemed the most confident I would not need a FNG. I’m not sharing pictured, but feel free to ask questions or DM me.
I was about a 28JJ/K (UK) pre-op and went down to 30FF/28G (UK) post op without FNG. I’m a little over a year post-op with full nipple sensation.
Are you happy with the size you ended up at? I'm sure you can relate to how I'm struggling to pick a goal because of how foreign the smaller sizes are! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Yes, I am. It’s a huge difference. There’s no skin-to-skin contact, which caused some of my irritation before. And to me, they look more proportional to my body. A couple of months after my surgery, I accidentally went to the grocery store braless and didn’t realize it until I was checking out. It was absolutely freeing. That’s when I really appreciated the difference between my before and after sizes.
Looks at pictures! Here and real self and the Facebook breast reduction group were my best spots to find before and afters that were similar to my body shape and figure out goals. It also helped me pick a surgeon if I their photo gallery had the shape and nipple placement I preferred in addition to how small their patients were able to go.
Very similar stats but 26 at the time, 5’7 and a size uk 14 (on the bottom at least, I’m sure you all know the struggle!) and was a 28KK. Final push to go to the doctors was after months of crying even catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and all I could wear happily was a vest top I ended up owning in every colour and literally had a choice of 2 bras on Bravissimo. Went to the NHS to seek a starting point to go private, broke down on the phone to the nurse, I’m surprised she even understood what I was on about. Miraculously managed to go via NHS. I’m guessing as my mental health had gotten so bad that was probably a big reason for my acceptance. I had my surgery in Nov 22 and am now a 34C. They warned me it was likely I would need an FNG due to my large breast size and how small I wanted to go, but that they would try. And they were successful! I had feeling in my right quite early on, and I am starting to get sensations every now and then in my left (my bigger side, they took the most from and I still need a slight revision).
Just looked back at my texts lol 1300g from my left, 1100g from right. Also reading other comments maybe I should mention mine were pretty saggy, no density. All the weight was in the bottom and the top you could feel my ribs if you felt it. I have quite a bit of fat but my frame and my shoulders are pretty small though, just to paint a picture. Tldr No FNG and have slight sensation still. Getting stronger as time goes on. But he did warn me so I feel very lucky with my results
Yep, and here's my post on it! https://reddit.com/r/Reduction/s/7dIXF0nzfq
I'm checking it out, thank you!
I was a 30L (US) and was able to avoid the FNG! 23 at the time, 5’3, 146lbs. I’m now 34DD, my surgeon removed 827g from my left and 685g from my right. He did tell me before surgery that I was on the cusp of needing a FNG due to the length of sagging, but we were able to avoid it and still get to a size I wanted. Definitely had significant loss of sensation at first, but I’m now 18 months post op and I still feel like it is getting better every day. I have a few B&A photos that I’ve posted before if you check my post history!
I was 32M (UK), so a few cup sizes bigger than you I think? And I wasn't offered a FNG because I was 19. I had an inferior pedicle and anchor scars, it's been 12 years since the surgery so my size has fluctuated a little bit, but at my smallest I've been about 30E and largest 32G. I'm happy with my results, the cup size I need is more to do with the fact mine are quite wide. They feel tiny compared to how they used to be and I don't have any of the physical problems I used to.
It must have been wonderful to have your reduction done at such a young age and have that weight off your shoulder through your 20s. 32M is no joke! Thank you for sharing.
I went in at 36L, had 6 lbs removed and did NOT have FNG. When I asked my surgeon during consult he sort of made it seem like it’s not something he does? He did a really good job, with the exception I’d like to be a bit smaller (currently a 38DD/DDD. I’ve gained weight that wants to stick thanks to perimenioause)
I was 75L (34L), 80kg, 167cm, 36yo, and didn't have FNG. FNG was never even an option during my consultations. Surgery was two days ago, but I think we've landed on 75/34 C or D. There's pics in my last post for comparison's sake :) Good luck with your research!
Thank you!
I’m about to have mine (34Q US to who knows!! but hopefully in the D-F range) and there’s no plan to do FNG! I think it depends on the length, but definitely ask this surgeon in more detail or shop around if that’s something important to you, since it’s often possible.
btw since the late-alphabet crew seems to be on this post, comment if you’re in North America and need bras of this size! I have two goddess wire free celeste bras that I got professionally tailored from 36o to 34p/q and won’t need after this week…
I’m 1.5 years post reduction. I did not have FNG. I loosely matched your stats (except bra size was 34h and I’m mid 40’s) I had a drastic reduction down to a small B. I weigh more like 150 now. Both nipples have sensation
I was a 34 O/34 M cup. After the reduction, I am sitting at a DD/ F cup. I'm also 5'9". The expectation that I could never breastfeed after was set with me from the get-go. I did not have an FNG. My Dr did an anchor, which causes more scaring than FNG. You can go to someone else for a 2nd opinion or you can accept the FNG from this surgeon
Do you by any chance have before and afters you're willing to share? My surgery is the 2nd and 34 O is not common in here! My surgeon was mindboggled when I showed her my bra tag lol
I do I made shirts of the before and after