How many grams are in a 32DDD? (photo)

Question

My insurance approved a reduction for me; I am currently a 32DDD, 5"4' and 120 lbs. However, the stipulation is that the doctor will have to take 200 grams from each breast. The nurses told me this would put me at maybe an A cup. Is this accurate? I am debating whether the procedure is worth it.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

32
DDD breast is about 600 grams.200 gram
removal will take you down to a D.Insurance usually approves breast reductions for large weight and you
must have associated pain.I recommend a
new technique called The Ultimate Breast ReductionTM.Your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper
pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase
your cleavage.The weight of the breast
is transferred to the underlying muscle resulting in immediate pain
relief.This technique avoids the ugly
vertical scars of the traditional technique, maintains nipple sensation and the
ability to breast feed. Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on your single photo, there are several issues to discuss here.First, bra manufacturers have notoriously different sizing "standards," so one 32DDD bra may contain more (or less) volume than another manufacturer's bra. This is not the way to determine amount of tissue removal.Secondly, as a reviewer for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare for many years, I can tell you that virtually all (except maybe a few high-cost private insurance companies) insurance providers use the Schnur formula which uses height and weight to calculate BMI, then applies a graduated scale as to the exact amount of tissue to be removed per breast in order for insurance coverage. 1 gram too little and you get the entire bill, and it will be in the 5 digits, I promise. Virtually all of these same providers have a "minimum" anount of tissue to be removed in order for coverage to be obtained, and that "minimum" is almost always 400g per breast, not 200g per breast. Perhaps you misunderstood, but 400g PER BREAST would need to be used since your calculation takes you below the minimum (for your height and weight). Not 200g per breast. A can of soda is 360cc (12 oz at 30cc per oz), and removal of this volume of tissue from each breast, plus an ounce and a half more to get to 400+ per side, would indeed leave you a bit smaller than you are thinking. Read between the doctor's nurse's lines--you are young, slim, and with large breasts. Since your photo doesn't show, I can't tell how much sag or droop you have, or if your nipples point "south" or forward and perky, or if you have other symptoms that insurance coverage requires. But realize that the "formula" is unforgiving and that if your surgeon removes 1 gram too little, YOU get the bill. You won't get far in trying to get your surgeon to pay since he "told you" that 200g per side would do it; that would be your misunderstanding and your loss in court. (And then you still pay the bill). If YOU ended up paying the bill for this (and I'm pretty certain that you will if your surgeon only takes 200g per side), would you think it's OK for the lighter load (in your purse--$10-12K or more, depending on where the surgery is done), and all the scars on your breasts, not to mention the 15% or so loss of sensation or ability to breast feed?Trust me, this is a great operation for the right candidate, and I think the doctor's nurse was advising that you should just say "NO." The nurse's advice is often more accurate, since she gets paid the same if you do or do not schedule surgery. Unfortunately, not every surgeon will be as selfless as to give the most accurate advice when s/he gets a "big case" to schedule. If you said, "It's still worth it and I'm willing to pay myself for 200g per side to be removed," well, then OK. But, you won't be an A-cup; you will only be down about a cup size with 200g per side, and perhaps that's fine with you. But then it's called a cosmetic reduction and is NOT covered by any insurance plan. So see one or more ABPS-certified plastic surgeons who do lots of breast surgery and get more (accurate) information. You can also ask to see and feel 400cc (same as 400g) implants and more accurately imagine just how much that would take from each side, and then decide if that's too much. I suspect it will be. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

I am surprised the insurance approved a 200 gm reduction.  This is usually in the realm of a breast lift not a reduction.  If you only have 200 removed you will still be in the D cup range.  You will need to remove closer to 600-800 gm to go in the C cup range.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; this operation is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
Insurance companies may authorize breast reduction surgery and “require” a minimum of a certain amount of tissue to be removed.  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. Based on your question, I think that you will need best off spending more time communicating directly with your plastic surgeon. For example, the statement that removal of 200 g will take a patient from a DDD  cup to an A cup does not seem plausible.
Before undergoing the breast reduction procedure it will be very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  Most patients wish to achieve  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 “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.  Bottom line: spend more time with your carefully chosen plastic surgeon. Communicate your goals carefully. Consider the pros/cons (and learn about potential risk/complications) associated with breast reduction surgery. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision whether or not it is worth proceeding. Best wishes.

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

you are lucky that you only need to have 200g removed- most insurances require more than that.  200cc for your size is only about 1 to 1 1/2 cup sizes at the most.

How many grams are in a 32DDD? (photo)

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How many grams are in a 32DDD? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: How many grams is in a 32DDD?

Answer: How many grams is in a 32DDD?

Answer: How much is 200g?

Answer: How much is 200g?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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