Would it be possible for a 32J to go down to a 32C or D?

Question

Some women have said that their doctors wouldn't allow them to go down as much as they wanted for medical reasons. I'm wondering if that big of a jump in sizes would be possible for me? I'm currently a 32J and would like to be a 32C or 32D.

Robert Cohen, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by a licensed plastic surgeon and expert in breast reductions to determine what is best for you and your goals.Breast reduction is one of my favorite surgeries as it allows me to dramatically improve a woman’s breast appearance as well as alleviate many physical symptoms of large breasts, such as back, neck and shoulder pain, bra strap grooving, and rashes under the breasts. When I perform breast reduction surgery, I generally use a superomedial pedicle to provide blood supply to the nipple while maintaining fullness in the upper and inner breast. Excess lower and outer breast tissue are removed. Breasts are often asymmetrical, so I remove more tissue from the larger breast. The final scar pattern is a circle around the areola, down the breast, and possibly under the breast, depending on the degree of skin excess.
For me, breast reduction is not a one-size-fits-all surgery. The size and shape of the breasts are customized to each patient depending on her goals and desires. Some women want a significant amount of tissue removed while others prefer to have a more limited reduction. Regardless of the amount of tissue removal, I perform the maximum safe amount of lifting and tightening for each patient.
I suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon and expert in Breast Reductions. - Dr. Cohen

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The best way to determine what your breast size should be with respect to your anatomy and give true advice would be an in-person exam with a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of breast procedures annually. Not only does proportion depend upon the aesthetic balance of your breasts with your shoulders, waist, hips, and buttocks, but also upon your objectives, active lifestyle, soft tissue quality, muscular anatomy, and long-term concerns. There is also a limit to how small you can go due to tissue that needs to be retained for the nipple/areola to maintain a good blood and sensory nerve supply.The surgery will also help to reshape and recontour your breasts. Very large breasts have the natural tendency to sag or hang low, so breast reduction surgery will lift them up and help them look perkier under tight clothing. The gram amount is dependent upon the density of the breast tissue and the volume removed. No direct correlation exists with cup sizes. You and your board certified PS can determine whether your goal "size" is realistic.

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes!Absolutely it is possible to make breasts as small as deemed possible or necessary.  The whole point of a breast reduction is to remove unwanted weight from your shoulder and back and neck.  The goal is to reduce the size so it matches your bodily proportions aesthetically as well.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Bra sizes are not exact.  However, the rule of thumb has been that at size 32 or 34, each 100 grams removed corresponds to 1 cup size change.  To go from a J to a D would require 600 gram removal.  This may be an excessively large amount resulting in decreased circulation to the nipple-areola complex and wound healing complications.  If you are willing to accept these complications then the procedure can be done.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear raejtho,
Breast reduction is best suited for women who wish to decrease the size of their breasts. While there are different techniques used to perform this surgery, I prefer the vertical incision (lollipop pattern) breast reduction technique instead of the anchor scar pattern, which reduces more noticeable scarring than usual. I also use a SAFE liposuction technique to reduce additional fat around the stubborn axilla area and bra line. This way, my patients are achieving beautiful results with minimal incisions which reduces downtime and delivers an overall better breast shape long term.If you are considering breast reduction surgery, you should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and make sure your surgeon understands your goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

A breast reduction is often a balance between the patient goals and the limits of anatomy. Your surgeon will know what is necessary with regards to weight resection. Anatomic limits are non-negotiable as a certain amount of tissue must be preserved in order to maintain vascular supply to the nipple areolar complex. This amount tends to rise with the distance the nipple must travel from where it is to its planned destination. Technically speaking, the larger breast (and greater the ptosis) the more tissue that will need to be preserved in order to maintain vascular supply to the nipple areolar complex. Ultimately, you do play a role in the decision making process. The anatomic restrictions are, on the other hand, more rigid.
With regards to your specific question, it is difficult to predict the size of safe reduction. However, as stated above, there will be limits based on anatomy. With a very large pre-op cup size (J) it is often unrealistic to expect a significantly smaller cup (C) post op. I generally recommend that very large patients temper their expectations along these lines.
It is also important to remember that we deal in weight and volume (which are standardized) whereas "cup size" goals can be extremely variable (depending upon the manufacturer). There is no correlation between cup and grams resected. Much like in augmentation focus not on the cup but on the look and resolution of symptoms.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame

Shana Kalaria, MD · Answer

Yes you can absolutely go from a 32J to a 32C/D! It may even be possible to keep sensation and blood supply intact to your nipples. Please review before and after photos and make sure you feel comfortable with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
I suggest you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you are a candidate for  breast reduction and to discuss your options. Best wishes!

Norman M. Rowe, MD · Answer

Breast reductions are limited in the amount of tissue that can be removed safely if the nipple and areola are to remain alive and functional. The maximum amount of breast tissue that you can take from any breast is 70%, while allowing for appropriate blood supply to the nipple to survive. If you elect to remove the nipple and areola, thus utilizing a breast reduction with the free nipple grafting approach instead, then nearly any size is possible as blood supply is no longer of consideration. In regards to your individual scenario, moving from a J to a C/D is a large reduction and requires an in-office evaluation from a board certified plastic surgeon.

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and
welcome to our forum!
Breast
reduction is both cosmetic and functional, as the procedure often alleviates
neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, bra strap grooving, and chronic
rashes beneath the breasts due to their added weight. In moderate
reductions, the nipple areola is maintained in a "stalk"
(pedicle) of breast tissue to provide blood flow.  If the pedicle is
too long (as in gigantomastia), the nipple areola will not survive due to
vascular insufficiency. In this situation, the nipple areola complexes are
removed and replaced as full thickness skin grafts. Preoperative measurements
are essential to make this preoperative determination. In either case,
nipple sensation will most likely be lost or attenuated.
Based upon your breast size, I think you might be best served with
nipple-areolar grafting, but measurements must be taken. The breasts can be reduced to any size, but the
reduction is most often performed to regain proper body proportion. There is no volume restriction in breast reduction.
Seek a
consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best
wishes...

Would it be possible for a 32J to go down to a 32C or D?

Answers (16)

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