Breast Reduction: Q&A

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Why Won't Doctors Accommodate D Cup to B Cup Breast Reduction?

I am a "D" cup and would like to be a "B" cup. Why won't most doctors accommodate this for breast reduction?

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breasts D cup female B cup breast size

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by JoJo2020 in orlando

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Breast reduction will easily get you from D cup to B cup.

Hi. I don't know who you have been talking to! In Manhattan, going from a D cup to a B cup with breast reduction is one of the more common patterns we see. Easy and safe. We do the internal (Lejour ) technique, which produces good long term shape and leaves only a lollipop scar.

Breast reduction and breast size after surgery

If the patient is planning on losing weight I always suggest that the patient lose weight before having surgery as the size and shape of the breast may change after surgery. When discussing final size of the breast after breast reduction two points most be taken into consideration. The first being the height, weight and frame of the patient. A small breast on a larger size patient would be out of proportion. The second being the amount of tissue needed to support a nipple. When one is... more

Breast Reduction Size

It is impossible to reliably determine breast cup size with a breast reduction. Breast cup size is very nonspecific and is related to the chest width and the breast size itself. As such we are unable to be reliable regarding what is a B, C or D cup during surgery. I give my patients 3 options; small, medium and large. Small=take off as much as possible Medium= appropriate for body build Large= Take off enough to satisfy insurance but I want them lifted In addition most breast reductions are... more

Cup sizing and breast reduction

You can't guarante a cup size after any breast surgery. So, don't get hung up on that. The problem with trying to go too small with a reduction is with blood flow to the nipple and the overall cosmetic result. If to much is taken away, your nipple might die and if you are too small for your frame, you won't look good. Plus, the base width of the breast isn't changed by a reduction and this alone might prevent you from ever being a B.

D to B cup reduction

There is no intrinsic reason why this is not possible or advisable. You should ask your surgeon why this is not specifically recommended for you. I generally will listen to the patient and try to give them what they want along with the risks and pros and cons of the treatment necessary. Your surgeon should listen to your wishes.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

D to B cup Breast reduction is possible

Without a physical examination and review of your medical history I can't say why the surgeon you consulted with won't agree to reduce your breasts from a D to a B cup. If you are seeking insurance approval for this surgery they have specific standards for medical necessity which differ from each insurance company. The standard requests from most insurance companies to receive medical necessity approval for breast reduction surgery includes the following: 1) Examination by a plastic... more

D-cup to B-cup Reduction

There should not be a problem in having D-cup breasts reduced to a B-cup. Perhaps the surgeons that you have seen were concerned that insurance companies would not cover the procedure or there may have been other issues (health concerns, etc.) which dissuaded them.

Who says they won't

First of all - there are no standard sizes of breasts - no one knows exactly what a B is. I try to accomodate my patients and give them about the size they desire. If you don't like what your doctor says, get another opinion.

Breast reduction depends on your body type

Though it is difficult to give you a straight answer without an exam, it is usually quite easy to give patients a B cup from a D cup. Perhaps your particular breast and chest wall shape prohibit such a reduction, but we are able to do that on most patients pretty easily. I would continue looking for doctors in your area. I hope this helps.

Plastic Surgeons Define Cup Sizes Differently Than Breast Reduction Patients

It’s not unusual for breast reduction patients to start out with D cups and end up with B cups. This is a common scenario in most plastic surgery practices. I suspect that the surgeons that you have seen, are reluctant to guarantee a cup size following breast reduction surgery for a variety of reasons. It’s not unusual for cup size to be defined differently by different people. Patients frequently know their bra size and confuse this with their actual breast size. ... more

Why Won't Doctors Accommodate D Cup to B Cup Breast Reduction?

This is a common size transformation for breast reduction. One must talk to their Plastic surgeon to see what is possible with reduction of the breasts.

Why Won't Doctors Accommodate D Cup to B Cup Breast Reduction

This can be accomplished, although there are no precise bra measurements to determine cup sizes. Most surgeons will give you a range of excision- low, moderate, and large excision. I like to excise enough to have the breasts look aesthetically pleasing.

Breast Size after Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery. It is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. The concern with the amount of tissue removed is related to blood flow to the remaining tissue; if too much tissue is removed in one operation the blood flow to the remaining tissue (including nipple/areola) may be compromised. Part of the tissue that is left in place is called the “pedicle";... more

D to B cup reductioni

I recommend this size reduction all the time. If your plastic surgeon isn't on the same page with you in terms of post operative breast size, see another surgeon for a second opinion. Insurance coverage is an entirely different matter. There is a minimum amount of gram weit which has to be removed and established via a pathology report. If the D to B will not produce the mandated amount, then the insurance company will refuse to pay for the procedure. So, if this is the basis for your... more

Factors to Determine Your Breast Reduction Results

You don't mention your height, weight and body frame. All of these factors are taken into account when evaluating the final size for a breast reduction patient. If a large framed woman has B size breasts, then it is very likely that her abdomen and hips will look disproportionately too large. An experienced breast reduction surgeon will take all these factors into account in planning your surgery.

Cup size after reduction

Most doctors will not "guarantee" a cup size after surgery because the bra companies designation for the specific cup size is so variable. Remember that in order for things to heal well, there needs to be a reasonable amount of tissue attached to the skin flaps as wells the to the nipple areola complex. In enormous breasts( not necessarily yours) it is quite difficult to reduce them to a "B" cup without basically performing an amputation.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and contouring

Thank you for your Question, Breast Reduction surgery techniques vary- it can be done with a vertical incision, anchor type pattern or with liposuction- depending on the size and shape of your breasts. The change of size can vary and precise cup prediction can be difficult. Surgeons try to accomodate your request and usually do this quite well. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD

Cup size and breast reduction

Although you can never promise an exact bra cup size after surgery, it should be possible to go from a D to a B with a breast reduction. Sometimes if you go too small during a breast reduction, the breast can become slightly distorted or flattened. However a B cup isn't necessarily too small if you begin with the volume of a D cup. If you are unclear why you have been told this, I recommend you consult with several board certified plastic surgeons in your area for second opinions. Best... more

Why not reduce a D to a B cup??

For two reasons: I. Most women who have frames that naturally carry a D cup will look bottom heavy or pear shaped after a B cup reduction. We are trained to bring about balence, equilibrium and harmony and in most cases such a reduction runs against the grain. 2. In many cases over -aggressive removal can negativily effect vascularity and survival of the nipple/areola complex and skin as well as sensation.

Consider body type and patient wishes for Breast Reduction

In consultation wtih the plastic surgeon, let them know your wishes and cooridinate body type consideration accordingly. Sometimes with a larger chest and trunk, reduction to very small breasts invites other problems with disproportion and inability to find bras/tops that fit well. With any intervention, a balance is possible in terms of outcome and expectations. After discussion in this direction with your surgeon you should feel confident that the appropriate intervention will be... more