How can I choose the right cup size before my breast reduction?

Thank you for your question.  Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to predict final cup size prior to a breast reduction.  What you can do though is be sure that you are choosing a surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery and is an expert in the breast reduction procedure, making sure that you have realistic expectations in mind.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

As far as choosing the “right cup size” before breast reduction, you need to understand there is no right or wrong cup size. Every patient will have their own idea of what looks best and some patients prefer a fuller breast while others prefer a smaller breast. For you, the best way to show your surgeon what you are looking for is probably with pictures. I usually have my patients go to my website and look through my breast reduction photo gallery and find the postoperative result that looks most like what they imagine they would be happy with. As opposed to breast augmentation where we can place sizers in a bra to get a better sense of how much fuller a patient wants to be, with breast reduction surgery this usually has to be determined more visually by using photos. It is an art form and the final size will be based on your natural anatomy as well as surgical technique. However, I can generally get patients very close to the ballpark size they are shooting for. Cup size is not an accurate measurement and can vary dramatically with which brand bra you buy, so I would not depend on using a cup size to communicate what you want to look like as there is a lot higher risk of a misunderstanding. Cup size is a good starting point to get on target. However, as I mentioned earlier, using postoperative photos can be even more helpful way to communicate your goals.

Hello,Just like in breast augmentation, there is no way for a surgeon to give you an exact cup size. There is no formula equating tissue removed and cup size, and there is no way of looking at a breast on the operating room table after reducing it to determine it's cup size.Here's the reality: It's best to remove as much tissue as safely possible to achieve the tightest, most durable result. Leaving tissue behind for the sake of size preservation will only make a more droopy, shapeless breast in the near future.  If you want to optimize shape or get back some volume, I recommend the addition of an implant at the time of your reduction.Best of luck!

There are computer sizing programs that can help you with this. I don't have one for breast reduction but this would be a good way to help you decide. Photographs of individuals with the end result that you would like will help the surgeon as well.

Regarding breast size after a reduction, there are never any guarantees. For my patients who are undergoing surgery, if they are undecided about size, I have them go to the store and look at bras in the sizes they are contemplating to see the true difference in size between a 38C and a 38D. The problem also in going solely by cup size is that different bra companies are pretty different for the same cup size. You definitely want to make sure you are still proportionate after surgery, but small enough to make a difference in your symptoms if you are having back/neck pain. 

It is difficult to know what size bra you will be after
breast reduction surgery as bra size is different between brands of bras.It is better to think about a size range that
you would like to be after surgery- think in terms of B-C, or C-D.I usually have my patients think about the
size range that they would like to be, and then ask if they would rather be on
the smaller or larger size within that range.Occasionally, patients find it helpful to buy a bra in their desired
post-operative size to demonstrate their goal size.

A thorough discussion with your surgeon about final size is critical.  Unfortunately, cup size is not very scientific and definitions vary.  We in Plastic Surgery are taught to think more in terms of weight removed and we can estimate that pretty closely.  You also would want to be careful about going too small.  Issues related to nipple sensation and scarring increase as the size of the reduction increases.  It's all about balance with your height and frame size.Best of luck.

Thank you for the question. There is simply too much variability among bra cup manufactures to make it a useful metric when it comes to preoperative communication and/or post operative predictions. 

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. For example, I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “full C or 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.
Once you have communicated your goals carefully, your plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with an estimation of how much tissue will need to be removed, in order to achieve your desired outcome.
Best wishes with your breast reduction procedure; hopefully you will be very pleased with the outcome of the procedure performed.

Although we talk about cup size as a discussion aid, there is absolutely no way any surgeon can promise a cup size with reduction surgery. Find pre and post op photos whose postop LOOK appeals to you and show those photos to your surgeon as a goal. He/she will get as close to that as he can safely.