Breast Reduction From DD to A Cup?

Question

I am a 53 yr old woman.I am 5'3" I weigh about 186.I have indentions on my shoulders from my Bra and heavy breast.I am a 38DD.I would prefer to be an A cup.I was adopted I do not know any of my health history.So I am confused as have a double mastectomy or a reduction.I have severe neck and upper back pain.So what do I do. Thank you Lisa

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

It is certainly possible to reduce the breasts from DD to an A.  However, it is not recommended since it would look disproportionate to your body.  Many women think they need to have such a drastic reduction in order to eliminate the pain.  However, there is a new technique designed to transfer the weight of the breast to the underlying muscle to relieve pain.  This technique uses a circumareola and inframammary incision, which are easily hidden.  The breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Aligning the areola and breast tissue over the bony prominence of the chest wall maximizes anterior projection.  This technique maintains nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed.  You can choose the size that is proportionate to your body and avoid the drastic reduction.  This technique avoids the ugly vertical scars of the Wise pattern, which was developed in 1956.

	 

	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.

Michael J. Weinberg, MD · Answer

A breast reduction is a really good operation for large breasts. Reducing your breasts from  a DD to an A is really a massive change and may not be possible ie the nipples may not survive. It would be good for you  to look at what an A cup is and then try and imagine it on your frame. You may be happy with a significant reduction to a small C. It would for sure help you with your back pain.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Going from a DD to an A would be a drastic reduction.   Having a double mastectomy when there is no evidence of breast atypia would not be indicated.  Time to see a plastic surgeon for advise.

Rick Rosen, MD · Answer

I would suggest you look on line at what size an A cup looks like. You would remove the symptoms going to a B cup and still be able to have some fill there. I would not suggest a double mastectomy unless there is a medical reason to do so.

Breast Reduction From DD to A Cup?

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Breast Reduction From DD to A Cup?

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast reduction vs. double mastectomy

Answer: Breast reduction vs. double mastectomy

Answer: What sized reduction

Answer: What sized reduction

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