36 DDD Cup Breast Reduction Size?

Question

Hello, I am 5"4 weighing 150 pounds. I am a breast size 36 DDD, how much would 500grams of tissue leave me at?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Breast Reduction is a complicated procedure that is best done by those with the most training and experience. It is very difficult to determine the resultant cup size and shape based solely on the number of grams that are removed from your breast to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast reduction and lift surgeries, including different approaches, techniques and even fat transfer and implant choices if you are lacking superior breast fullness.This is because several measurements—not to mention breast characteristics such as density—are needed to determine how much and where to remove breast tissue to meet your goals. Without knowing your existing breast shape, dimensions, and the density of your breast tissue, it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the same volume of breast tissue will weigh different amounts (measured in ounces or grams) in different people depending on its density. The existing base width of your breast and what you will ultimately want to look like will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume and weight that will need to be removed for the best result.Please click on the link below for more information!

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question. In general, implant size does not correlate with bra cup size.  The cup size itself will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as who is doing the actual measurements.  Thus, cup size is never a reliable indicator for your breast size.  I typically encourage my patients not to communicate her desires in cup size but more on the actual look and appearance.  Good communication between you and your surgeon of your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the first step.  Discussion of your wishes and having an honest and open dialog of your procedure is critical.  I have found that photographs brought by the patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc.  In addition, your surgeon's pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal for you.  Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning. Hope me that this helps!  Best wishes for a wonderful result!

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

This is a great question and one that we face daily. Because some insurance companies use arbitrary resections for approval, the estimated volume becomes essential. In planning a reduction the first part is to figure how much breast tissue needs to be preserved so that there will be adequate blood flow to the nipple-areolar complex. Once that is determined then the resection volume can be estimated. I usually plan to removed about 1/3 of the volume in a short scar vertical reduction. It takes some experience to be able to accurately estimate the intended resection. It does become frustrating when a breast only weighs 600gm and then 500gm is required for reduction to be covered. Hopefully you can get yours covered because it is a life changing experience for patients who suffer from the neck, back and shoulder strain of large breasts. Best of Luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Unfortunately, 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 is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  In my practice, the use of photographs of &ldquo;goal&rdquo; pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as &ldquo;natural&rdquo; or &ldquo;C cup&rdquo; or "fake looking" 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.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

It is difficult to predict the cup size you will be left without seeing you.  Cup size measurement is a very unreliable estimate of your actual breast size since you may not be properly fitted and also because each manufacturer has slightly different sizing.

A 500 g reduction could reduce you by 1-2 cup sizes, but subsequent lift which is a part of a breast reduction may rearrange your breast tissue into a more compact breast volume and that affects the final breast cup size.

The main issues here, however, is that if you truly are 36 DDD, 500g may not be enough to give you relief from symptoms that you may be suffering such as back pain, neck pain, and shoulder grooving.

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

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Answer: Breast Reduction and Resulting Size?

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