Is it realistic to go from a 32I to a 32B or C?

Question

Hello! I was wondering if it's realistic to want to size down so drastically. I'm 5'0, 130lb with 32I breasts. I included some pictures of myself ^^ The last two photos are what I wish to get to after surgery. Should I lower my expectations? Thank you

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. I think that based on your pictures, you would be a great candidate for breast reduction surgery. The conversation regarding cup size is sometimes not a helpful conversation because cup size is no standard and depends on where you shop and what types of bras you wear. With a breast reduction, your goal is to reduce the overall size of the breast, make the areola smaller, and change the position of the breast mound. In regards to size, the goal should be something that fits your frame. There is a range of what is possible with reduction because you have to take enough tissue to reduce the size but you also have to leave enough tissue to keep blood supply to the nipple. Just let your surgeon know that you want to be as small as safely possible. Communication of your goals and expectations with your surgeon will help to assure you get the best result possible.Hope this helps!

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

There's a possibility that small breast cup could be done but you might be looking at free nipple grafts. This allows more aggressive size reduction without the creating of internal flaps or pedicles that leave volume behind. Speak with a board certified plastic surgeon about your goals and options.Good luck, Dr. Aldo

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

but an I cup to a B cup is almost unheard of.  Let your surgeon know you want a very aggressive reduction and then if you find yourself still too large for your satisfaction, you can have revisions that will get you closer to your goals.

Nicholas A. Flugstad, MD · Answer

Your breast size could be reduced quite a bit, and your symmetry could be improved. Keep in mind that your wish photos are of folks who have a different build then you. Attractive appearing breasts are dependent on proportion with the rest of your body, among other things. With all of that said, getting to a C cup is very possible for you and would look good.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

Although it is possible there are more risks and I am not entirely sure that the size you wish to be would fit your frame. I would make sure you are at your ideal weight before considering surgery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

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.

For most patients in your situation, we have been able to decrease the breast size very significantly and achieve the patient's desired outcome with one operation.  Sometimes, a two-stage approach will allow for safe reduction and achievement of the patients' "very small" desired outcome.  Much of course depends on the patient's starting anatomy and carefully communicated goals.

My best suggestion: seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. This careful selection of plastic surgeon will be the most important decision you make.

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. I suggest that you do not communicate your goals in terms of achieving a specific cup size. For example, a “B or C cup” may mean different things to different people and therefore may be a source of miscommunication. In my practice, I ask patients to communicate their goals with the help of goal photographs.

I hope this, and the attached link/video, helps. Best wishes.

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

Thanks for providing your photos. With your size, frame and weight, you should get an excellent result from a reduction mammoplasty or breast reduction. It is very likely that your health care insurance will cover it as well. Your expectations are quite realistic. Bra sizes are not standardized but you could easily get the size of your "wish" photos. A Brazilian or super pole technique should give a shape very much like that for you as well. With this technique you should still be able to breast feed if you ever want or need to as well.

I have added a video of a woman who recently had a breast reduction and she talks about her experience.

I hope that helps.

Best regards.

I have added a video of a woman who recently had a breast reduction and she talks about her experience.

I hope that helps.

Best regards.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

Most surgeons try to preserve sensation and blood supply to the nipple when a breast reduction is done.  The nipple needs a certain amount of breast tissue under it to provide blood and nerve supply.  This is called the "pedicle" in plastic surgeon speak.  I think that a C cup might be possible with you but a B probably not, at least in my hands.  There is a procedure called a "free nipple graft" where the nipple is removed as a skin graft, the breast reduced down and the nipple put back on as a skin graft.  This procedure allows the surgeon to go way down in size but leaves a nipple that is numb and usually doesn't look as good as a nipple after a "pedicle" procedure.  Most ladies choose a pedicle technique even if it means not being quite as small as desired.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Yes, you can do very dramatic breast reductions as long as you are not trying to keep enough tissue to have healthy blood flow to the nipple so it stays alive. If you aren't concerned about the look of the nipple, and can accept permanent numbness, and never want to breast feed, you can consider a free nipple graft (FNG) reduction where the nipple is removed at the start and re-applied at the end of surgery as a skin graft. This frees the surgeon up to make you as small as you want. Otherwise, I'd doubt your goal size could be achieved. BUT, it is rare to do FND's in young patients because of the significant trade-offs.

Is it realistic to go from a 32I to a 32B or C?

Answers (9)

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