Estimated Bra Size After Removing 236 Grams During Breast Reduction?

Question

I am a 5 foot 2 inches, 125 pound female that underwent a breast reduction almost 3 wks. ago. I was a 32e bra size previously and wanted a full B/ small C cup size. I'm still swollen but I am very concerned that my PS did not remove enough tissue. Can someone please tell me their best guess for my new bra size if the PS removed 236 grams from each breast? I know that 236 grams equates to approximately a half pound which doesn't seem like much. I had a breast reduction because of my back pain.

Craig S. Rock, MD, FACS · Answer

For a woman who wears a 32 bra, approximately 75 to 100gms need to be removed from each breast per cup size, though this may vary depending upon the shape of the breast and the surgical method utilized.  Bra size can vary widely both before and after surgery depending upon the shape of the breast and the brand/style of bra worn (several manufacturers are known for making bras with very small cups, increasing the cup size that you would require). 

	Depending upon the method used to perform the breast reduction, breast size and shape can change significantly over the first six months following surgery.  Once the swelling has resolved and the shape stabilized, evaluate your result based upon how you look and feel, rather than the label on a particular bra.

	Good luck.

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!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery.This is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.

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.  In other words, it will be very hard for your surgeon to predict the exact cup size you'll be after the breast reduction procedure.

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 “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C cup” 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.

Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc · Answer

Thank you very much for your enquiry, the average amount I tend to remove in a breast reduction it&rsquo;s to 400-800 grams of tissue each side. A 236 grams per side would be relatively small amount of tissue to remove and it might be worth checking with your plastic surgeon that exactly the same amount of tissue which removed from both sides as it is unusual for the figure to be exactly the same.
	
	I think it's sensible to let all swelling settle and not be too be alarmed under this stage because your breast will be significantly larger then when the swelling settles.
	
	Six-eight weeks when the swelling is settled it will be worthwhile seeing your plastic surgeon again to discuss your feelings about your bust and maybe possible to perform a further procedure if appropriate.
	
	Best wishes yours sincerely,
	
	Adrian Richards
	Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon
	Surgical Director of Aurora Clinics

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

The best guess for your cup size is a 32 D-cup after breast reduction. It can be difficult to predict cup size by the weight of tissue removed after a breast reduction, and often suctioning is combined to thin out and reduce the breast, which may no be reflected in the recorded weight of breast tissue removed. Based on the base width of the breast, most will fit into a D-cup after reduction. The issue can be more one of geometry of the breast shape rather than volume. Wait three to six months before sizing for bars.
	Best of luck,
	peterejohnsonmd

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is difficult to tell you what size your breasts shold be after the 236 gm reduction that you had. Bra cup size does not always correlate to the grams. Certainly this early post-op you are still swollen.

Beverly Friedlander, MD · Answer

Its dificult to guess what your bra size will be based on the weight removed, without examining you. Firstly, at 3 weeks after surgery your breasts are still swollen and its too early to tell. The swelling will improve over the next several months. You will likely be 1/2-1 cup size smaller than you are currently once they have settled. The question that needs to be answered is whether your back pain is better. If it is not, then will likely need further correction when everything is healed.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Hard to be exacting but I would recommend waiting for 30 days so most of the swelling is gone. If still un happy than try liposuction or Smart lipo of the breasts to reduce under minimal surgery.

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Hi JerseyGirl1,

	There are no absolute statistics that correlate grams to bra size.

	In general, though, it's ABOUT 150-200 gms per bra cup size, with the smaller end if you're more petite and the larger end of that range if you're broader.  It's also less from a AA to an A, than from a C to a D.

	So putting all that together, my guess is that you'll go down about 2 cups sizes.  If you were really an E (which is a DD), then you'll be some kind of a C.

	Many women, though, don't wear the bra that they are "supposed to."  That's because bra sizes measure the ideal proportion of cup size and back size; those, however, may have little to do with what is comfortable, depending on the size, shape, and density of the breast tissue.  And how much extra skin there is.  A relatively small amount of extra skin (nothing personal...) can add an apparent cup size since you need a broader cup to comfortably support the skin.  But that doesn't mean that you were actually that size if you measure the breasts according to the "scale."

	In the end, though, you're swollen now and once the swelling goes down you'll probably have a nice and proportionate result.  And if that's the case, and your pain is relieved, then the specific bra size will no longer be the overriding concern.

	I hope that this helps, and good luck,

	Dr. E

Estimated Bra Size After Removing 236 Grams During Breast Reduction?

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