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Will a Breast Lift Drastically Change my Cup Size?

I recently saw a ps that told me that if I were to have a breast lift I would go from a 36/38 DD to a B cup. I have severe ptosis and alot of saggy skin but I still think that from a full DD I should at least be able to be a full C. Am I wrong. I dont want to say that I am right over a plastic surgeon but if no tissue is taken out I find it hard to believe that I would be left with a b cup and what looked like a SMALL B CUP! Somebody tell me that he is wrong and that I can still have big breasts

Doctor Answers 6

Breast Lift and Changes in Cup Sizes

March 19th, 2013
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One of the most difficult predictions we make in breast surgery is post operative bra sizes. Unfortunately there is no standard sizing that bra manufacturers adhere to. 
Breast lifts remove skin, tighten the breast envelope but do not remove large amounts of tissue.  Bras may fit differently after surgery, bu not to the extent that one would expect a change from a DD to a B cup with the same bra manufacturer.
Without photos to review, it is difficult to make an accurate prediction. I recommend looking into a second opinion to put your concerns to rest.

Web reference: http://www.lohnerplasticsurgery.com/breast-lift-consultation-what-expect

Ronald A. Lohner, MD


Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 19 reviews

Cup Size Change after Breast Lifting?

March 14th, 2013
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Thank you for the question.

Generally speaking, discussing breast cup size can be a significant source of miscommunication. In my experience,  breast lifting will change the position of the breasts on the chest wall;  even though no breast tissue is removed,  this change in position may result in a patient fitting a different cup size better.

 As you think about breast surgery, I would suggest that you not communicate your goals based on achieving a specific cup size. Rather, show your plastic surgeon what you would like to look like after the procedure is performed and ask him/her whether your goals are realistic.

 Best wishes.

Web reference: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Procedure_breastLift.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS

Sometimes a breast lift, even though there's no volume removed, can yield a smaller cup size.

March 14th, 2013
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Sometimes a woman will use a larger bra size to corral extras skin if the breasts are significantly saggy. After mastopexy even though there's not been substantial loss of breast volume smaller cup might be a better fit.

Web reference: http://www.zubowicz.com/subpag,25-atlanta-rhinoplasty.htm

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 31 reviews

DD to B with Breast Lift

March 12th, 2013
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     In general, the breast lift will not reduce the breasts by any significant amount.  Whatever cup size you have before you will have after.  However, I will say that in some patients with a very loose skin envelope and alot of ptosis, the breast mass is frequently much less than one might expect.  You can always get another opinion about size.  Find the plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast lifts each year.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/breast-lift-photo-galleries.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 443 reviews

Cup size and breast lift

March 12th, 2013
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A breast lift may not only lift the breast mound and re-position the nipple-areolar complex, but will also compact the breast tissue to varying degrees. The more you compact, or lift, the breast, the denser, firmer, and smaller the breast volume becomes. You can test all this by wearing the respective B and C cup bras and judge how loose or compact the breast needs to be o adequately fill out these bras. Be sure to discuss your goals with your surgeon as well as any shortcomings of any specific technique or procedure he proposes.

Robin T.W. Yuan, M. D.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

Will a Breast Lift Drastically Change my Cup Size?

March 12th, 2013
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A photo would help.

But I am with you. A lift should result in removal of just a small amount of tissue from each side, so the size in a bra should have a negligible change in a patient with a DD cup size. The "apparent" size may be smaller. This doesn't always work in a patient with severe ptosis, but if you stand in front of a mirror with one hand at your side, one raised overhead, simulating a lift, the side with the arm up will usually look smaller, even though, obviously, nothing has been removed. 

Best for you would be to seek another consultation. When you are ready for an in person consultation, RealSelf has listings of surgeons in your area. You should consider cross referencing the listings from the The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery dot org). A listing in the ASPS website assures you that your surgeon is not only board certified,  but also is a member in good standing of the major plastic surgery organization in the U. S. Thank you for your question, best wishes.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.