Will 500g make me too small? (photo)

Your surgeon should have no problem taking off enough breast tissue to meet the insurance requirement.  I would not worry about being too small.  You’ll probably still be a D cup after a 500 g reduction. Remember that there are many factors that go into cup size.   Best wishes.

Cup size is so inexact for this.  In general, at a G, you should be
able to get at least 500 g from each breast and still be a D.  This is
greatly dependent on density, which changes with the amount of fat in
the breast and the age of the patient. 
In general, large breast
reductions are better left at D cups, because if the breasts are left
too small there is not a great solution.  It would be silly to perform a
breast reduction and then turn around and perform a breast augmentation
because the breasts are now too small.  You have to realize that after
breast reduction, your belly, legs, and arms will appear bigger as
well.  Finally, the skin envelope and fullness generated from a D is
usually more aesthetically pleasing.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE
credentials who performs hundreds of breast lifts and reductions each
year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo
galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results you are seeking.

You appear to be a good candidate for a breast reduction. You need to discuss with your surgeon what size you will be after the reduction, you should still be approximately a D cup, but your surgeon is your best guide. Good luck.

At size 38, each 200 gram removal corresponds to 1 cup size change.  I do not recommend a C or D since it may be disproportionately small relative to your body.  The technique I recommend for breast reduction is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

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. A 500 gm reduction is reasonable and used to represent the minimum standard. From a very large started cup size, a 500 gm reduction will likely leave you larger than a D cup. Thus, in answer to your question, 500 gms resected will not leave you too small (according to your stated goals).
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 Verified Member
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame

This is the predicament that plastic surgeons deal with in breast reduction. You need to get 500 grams off each side but you don’t want to be too small. If you have this done in an office surgicenter at least you can control your costs should it not be covered. I would discuss the issue with your surgeon. When it comes to breast reduction insurance carriers are unpredictable and inconsistent at best. If you suffer from back pain because of the breasts that would reinforce the insurance claim.

Dear DDB0603,
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

Thank you for your question and the pictures provided. 500 gr is a reasonable size to be take off each breast and you will have a great result. Based on the pictures, you have some hollowness in the upper pole of the breast, so it is important not to empty the upper part of your breast in order to have the best aesthetic result.
All the best,
Kamran Abolmaali, MD

Thanks for your question. 500 grams removed per breast tends to be a typical amount for insurance approval. At a G cup, 500 grams will likely leave you with a very nice result. Most patients are very happy after breast reduction surgery. Best wishes

Thank you for the question and congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; this operation tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
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 will be very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon (who you should choose very carefully). Most patients wish to achieve 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 “full C, small D 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. 
Best wishes with your breast reduction procedure; hopefully you will be very pleased with the outcome of the procedure performed.