Is 36B Too Small for Breast Reduction Surgery?

Happiness with your breast size is a very personal decision. If you feel that you would look good with an A-cup and desire an A-cup, that can certainly be done safely based on your photos with a breast lift including small breast and areola reduction.

What you are describing is more of a breast lift.  The areola will be reduced in size with this procedure.  One can make an argument for taking a small amount of tissue.  Best to see a few Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.  Take photos of what you want to achieve.  Ask to see his before and after photos.   Together you will come up with a good plan.

You are correct in requesting a breast lift and reduction in areolar size, but reducing the size of your breasts is not recommended.  At B cup size, they appear to be proportionate with your body, just spread out over a large area.  The mastopexy alone will result in more compact, comfortable, well positioned, attractive breasts. 

A breast lift with small reduction and reduction of the areola would enhance your appearance.  Just lifting the breasts and removing excess skin will make them look smaller and perkier, so none or very little breast tissue removal will accomplish your goals.  The symmetry can also be improved.  Congratualtions on your weight loss!

I think that you are the candidate for a breast lift (mastopexy) along with a small reduction and areola reduction. I would suggest that you communicate your goals carefully (I like to use pictures for this communication) with your surgeon. The use of pictures is helpful since different words (for example “natural”) means different things to different people. Talking cup size is also somewhat arbitrary since cup sizes differ depending who makes the bra.

You should also  consider how much fullness/volume you wish to have along the superior poles of the breasts. Although it may sound counterintuitive, you may elect to have small breast implants used to achieve the fullness superiorly.

It is important to consult with well-trained/experience board-certified plastic surgeons to get the best advice possible. Good luck!

What you are describing is more of a breast lift to rejuvenate and lift your breasts and a very small removal of breast tissue. This can definitely be performed to help you obtain a more perky, youthful look with greater symmetry and a smaller size.

You should make sure that an "A" is truly what you want. Many women have misconceptions about cup sizes, often thinking a given cup is larger than it is in reality.

The answer of course is yes, you can have a reduction and lift and probably make your goal of a full A-cup. You can be confident without a bra or perhaps use a cami top. The trade-off is a scar however, and the potential for interference with breast feeding, but if your mind is made up your goal is reasonable and within reach.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd

With the size and shape of your breasts, a small reduction is likely to give you what you want. You can be perkier, the nipples lifted and the areolas reduced. In addition, your symmetry can be improved by removing different amounts of tissue from each side. Of course, you are trading scars for that improvement. Good Luck!

Yes, you can have a breast reduction, though I may term your surgery more of a breast lift with slight reduction.  I have had several patients who have looked similar to you that have wanted a smaller, perkier breast or smaller areolas.  One client taught yoga and did not wish to wear a bra any longer so decided to make her breasts a very small A cup.  If you are willing to trade a saggy breast with no scars for a smaller perkier breast with at scar (that may or may  not fade) then I would encourge you to look into the surgery.  Be aware that insurance would not cover this surgery for you. 

Yes...and no.  Depending on the definition.

A breast reduction is typically defined by the removal of about 500 grams from each side (about half a pound) although it may be more or less, depending on your BMI and other physical issues.  With that definition, removing enough tissue to have it be considered a breast reduction would, in my opinion, be too much of a reduction for you.

On the other hand, what you'd benefit from is a breast lift - which is essentially the same procedure as a breast reduction but with much less tissue removed.  That's what would look best on you; and possibly with a small breast implant to provide superior fullness.  If you truly want to be an A then a lift alone is probably okay (you can also insert an implant later if you want).  And an areola reduction would be beneficial, too.

I doubt that you would get insurance approval for this procedure, in case that was part of the question. 

I hope that this helps and good luck,

Dr. E