Breast reductions are trending for a number of reasons.
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Topline:
Breast reduction procedures saw a 7% increase in 2023, according to the America Society of Plastic Surgeons. They've since leveled out, but it seems reductions may be having a moment.
The expert: Dr. Jennifer Keagle, board-certified plastic surgeon based in North East LA, joined LAist's AirTalk to discuss what the things people should think about if they're considering a breast reduction.
Things to consider:
Insurance? Keagle said it's more likely to be covered for symptomatic reasons.
Can you still breastfeed? The short answer: it's certainly possible.
Nipple sensation could be altered, but there are methods to better prevent sensation loss.
Keep reading... for more answers from Keagle.
Dr. Jennifer Keagle does a lot of breast reduction surgeries. So many, in fact, that she's not sure if her numbers are on track with recent trends.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast reductions procedures increased 7% in 2023. That increase has since leveled off, but reductions are clearly in demand.
Keagle, a board-certified plastic surgeon, joined AirTalk, 89.3's daily news program, to discuss what to consider.
A heavy load
Maria in Lakewood got breast reduction surgery 25 years ago after begging male doctors to approve it. She cried when the approval finally came. It helped correct years of upper back issues, a misaligned neck and even yeast rashes.
"I would suggest it to any other woman who is having the issues that I had," Maria said.
Keagle said she sees patients for a combination of reasons, including symptomatic ones like Maria's. She said it's more likely those patients will have the operation covered by insurance as well.
"It's one of the more satisfying operations that I do," says Dr. Jennifer Keagle about breast reductions.
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Can you still breastfeed?
Keagle said you can have a breast reduction and still nurse. The caveat — there's no way of knowing who could successfully breastfeed before the surgery.
"It's always something you learn once you've had the baby," she said.
Bottom line? It's possible.
Nipple sensation
Keagle said it's also possible that nipple sensation can change after surgery.
"I always want to know if it's very important sexually them," she said.
If it is, she might consider doing a different type of incision that could better preserve nipple sensation.
Scarring
Penny in Long Beach said she was left with significant scars after her doctor made incisions that didn't correspond to the natural crease.
Keagle acknowledged that a breast reduction surgery requires large incisions.
If scarring occurs? It's not too late to address it, even for someone like Penny. Keagle suggested a scar revision procedure to reduce the size of the scars.
Fitting your body type
Whether you're augmenting or reducing, Keagle said you probably want to consider getting boobs that are in proportion with your body. It's something she talks through with all her patients.
If you're on the thinner side, you may wants implants that go up to your clavicle, she said. If you're on the curvier side, you may not want to reduce too much.
Dream big, go small
Lynn in Palm Springs had two choices: double mastectomy or breast reduction surgery. She chose the latter to preserve some breast after her cancer treatment.
"I literally have teenage breasts now," she said, acknowledging it as the upside to the cancer diagnosis and treatment.
"Your breasts are the silver lining; get the breasts you've always wanted."
— Dr. Jennifer Keagle
Keagle does oncoplastic surgeries all the time to remove cancer, and in the process, reconstruct the breasts. She echoes Lynn in her advice to patients: "Your breasts are the silver lining; get the breasts you've always wanted."
