I Am 42 Years Old with 38G Breasts. Can I Have my Breasts Reduced to a C Cup?

Question

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At size 38 G you would require 800 grams of removal to become a C.  However, a C may be disproportionate for your body.  Many women believe they require massive reduction in order to eliminate their symptoms.  That is why a new technique was developed called The Ultimate Breast Reduction.  This technique avoids the ugly vertical scars of the Wise pattern and uses incisions around the areola and in the inframammary fold, which are hidden.  The breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Pain is eliminated by transferring the weight of the breast to the underlying muscle.  The tissue removed is only that required to achieve breasts proportionate to your body.  This allows the patient to be pain free and not deformed by excessive reduction.  

	 

	Best Wishes,

	 

	Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
	Before undergoing the breast reduction procedure it will be very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  Most patients wish to achieve a enough of a reduction to help with their symptoms while remaining proportionate with the remainder of their torso. 
	With the goal of improving communication with my patients I find the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small)  very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “B or C cup” means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.  Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.
	Yes, it is possible to reduce the breasts size very significantly.  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"; this segment of tissue is responsible for delivering the blood supply to the nipple/areola tissue. If the pedicle is made too small (in the effort to reduce the breasts as much as possible)  then patient will likely have problems with tissue survival.  
	The other concern with overly aggressive breast reduction surgery is patient dissatisfaction  afterwards.  It is not unusual for patients who have lived with very large breasts to want to have as much as possible removed. Care must be taken to be judicious in this removal to avoid an outcome where the breasts  are too small in relation (proportionately) to the patient's other body parts.  Again, it is not uncommon, for patients'  breasts to become smaller ( after the breast reduction procedure) with time and/or weight loss-  breast augmentation may become necessary to achieve the patient size goals.
	I hope this helps.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

You may be a candidate for a breast reduction.  You will need to be evaluated by a plastic surgeon to determine how much breast tissue can safely be removed during a breast reduction.

Rick Rosen, MD · Answer

with the information you provided I would say yes. I recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Yes, you may be a candidate for a breast reduction/lift procedure.  Please visit with a board certified PS to learn more about your options.

	Dr. Basu

	Houston, TX

I Am 42 Years Old with 38G Breasts. Can I Have my Breasts Reduced to a C Cup?

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I Am 42 Years Old with 38G Breasts. Can I Have my Breasts Reduced to a C Cup?

Answers (5)

Answer: Am I a candidate for a breast reduction

Answer: Am I a candidate for a breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.