Danielle calls her breast reduction her gateway surgery. Thirteen years later she is still calling it the best thing she ever did for herself. In this episode she sits down with Dr. Sean Doherty, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Boston, to go through it properly.

He explains what actually happens in the operating room, and why a reduction always includes a lift whether or not anyone calls it that. He is candid about scars: where they go, what makes one thick and raised rather than fine, and everything that can be done about them starting two weeks after surgery. About half of how you scar is genetics, which is the part no surgeon can promise around.

On insurance, he explains the Schnur scale and why an insurer is looking at a number rather than at you — and why starting with your primary care physician, years before you ever see a surgeon, is what builds the case. He also explains why some women choose to pay themselves even when they would qualify.

We cover sizing and why surgeons talk in grams while patients talk in cup sizes, what happens to nipple sensation and breastfeeding, what recovery really looks like week by week, and who should not have this surgery at all — including anyone using nicotine pouches, which carry the same risk as cigarettes.

On cost, Dr. Doherty gives a real number for his practice and, more usefully, names the three separate fees you should be asking about so a quoted price is not hiding two more.

Dr. Doherty practices in the greater Boston area.

Website: https://www.seandohertymd.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stdohertymd

Find a breast reduction provider near you: https://getclearbeauty.com/breast-reduction/?utm_source=podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/getclearbeauty
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@getclearbeauty