Schnur Sliding Scale for Breast Reduction

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery. It is one of the most patient pleasing operations we performed. Unfortunately, there is no direct correlation between the amount of tissue removed and the ultimate cup size that a patient will wear after breast reduction surgery. Before undergoing the breast reduction procedure it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of... more

Most women don't wear the correct size bra, so I'm not even sure you're really a DD cup.  Also, skin fills a bra cup, just as breast tissue does.  Without an exam, or at least some good photos, it's impossible to predict a postoperative size after removal of 527g of tissue from each breast.  Your plastic surgeon should be able to give you a good estimate when you meet for consultation, though.  Best wishes!

Patients today have many great options to effectively reduce and contour their breasts. In our practice, we work closely with patients to understand what their goals are and how much breast tissue is necessary to alleviate any pain symptoms that they may have and to obtain the look that they are looking for. Before the surgery, we can sometimes give an estimate as to how much tissue will be removed. However, there is no exact way to determine how much breast tissue will be resected. Be... more

It is very difficult to predict your final cup size after reduction even after examining you.  This is because each bra company is different. However, a rough estimate can be predicted after an exam.

Hi. In breast reduction, the goal is to create attractive breasts of the right size.  If your measurements are correct, you would end up with a small B cup, based on my experience.  I probably would not do it.  I know this not what you wanted to hear.

Most plastic surgeons still feel frustrated that they have to change their operative plan based on the number of grams to be removed from the breast. In general, every cup size is 150-250gm. Your 527 gm excision will give you a full D/Small D cup size. Best of luck!

Dr. Schnur, former President of the American Society of Plastic (and Reconstructive) Surgeons came up with this formula to get insurance company to stop demanding that 500 gm be removed from each reduced breast regardless of the woman's size. The formula weight with body surface area which is a fairer more accurate way of getting More from larger women and less from smaller women as as not forcing insurance companies to pay for minimal breast reductions / or breast lifts. Obviously, it... more

Quite often insurance companies today are using the Schnur article, which was written several years ago, to help determine whether or not to cover breast reduction surgery. I cannot state exactly what your cup size would be following a bilateral reduction of 527 grams without a physical exam, but my best guess would be a C cup. You should obtain a consultation with a board-cerified Plastic Surgeon in your community.

As I'm sure you recognize, its impossible to answer this question without a photograph or a physical exam.As stated previously, breast tissue varies somewhat in density- but more important to this analysis is evaluating what volume your current breast occupies. Bra cup sizes are an inaccurate representation of breast volume, since most women do not wear a correctly fitted bra. Also, there is no standardization of bra cup size between bra manufacturers. So, its difficult to speak accurately... more

Breasts are made up of some percentage fat and some percentage breast gland. As women age, a greater percentage of the breast is replaced by fat. Glandular tissue weighs much more than fat for the same given volume.I would recommend evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon. Based on the density of your breasts, he or she will be able to tell you how much smaller your breasts would be made by resecting about 500 grams of tissue.Good luck!