I am 195 lbs and wear a 40F bra. How low can I go for a breast reduction?

The weight of breast tissue a plastic surgeon believes he or she can remove during a breast reduction generally varies between 400 and 600 grams. 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. Going too small can sacrifice the shape of the breasts and the nipple has to have a blood supply to survive from the underlying tissue.

Hello and thank you for your question.
Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

The ideal breast reduction is done to treat the most common symptoms (neck pain, shoulder grooves, rash) while keeping enough tissue that the breast looks appropriate for the body type. Taking too much tissue and giving a totally flat appearance does not give a great appearance after surgery - and almost always an unhappy patient.

Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs. However, the technique I recommend 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.

Dear BlueKahuna,
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
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You can anticipate being able to reduce several cup sizes from a breast reduction. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation. During this important meeting you can discuss your goals for surgery and learn more about the procedure. Your surgeon can make suggestions on what would fit your frame and what to expect in terms of results.

Your measurements and not just bra size would dictate the gram weight to be respected. Bra sizing is so inconsistent that a meaningful determination cannot be made from that alone. Speaking in the most general terms, a large C cup is the likely outcome.

The size of the reduction is a consideration that you and your surgeon can decide...there are a lot of variables that can be answered on your pre-operative consultation.