How small can I go with a breast reduction?

Thank you for your question.  You need to be evaluated in person by a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine what would be both best and realistic for you.  All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

During a breast reduction the surgeon must leave enough tissue to maintain blood supply to the nipple.  I never promise a cup size, because all bras fit differently.  I tell my patients who want to be small that I will make the breasts as small as I can while maintaining adequate blood supply to the skin and nipple.  That being said a "B cup " should be attainable ,maybe even smaller.  Discuss your expectations with your surgeon.  Jane

I appreciate your question.

The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

but trying to go below a B cup can be very challenging.  I've done transgenders who didn't want breasts and they essentially got a subcutaneous nipple sparing mastectomy.  The challenges in achieving a small cup is getting the base diameter right as its more common to have a very broad base with reductions.  Your surgeon can be aggressive in the approach but an A cup, in my opinion, is not really achievable with one procedure and subsequent revisions may help you there.

This is a great question which is frequently asked by my patients. It's really important to try to help patients understand what options they have and why, but doing a good job with this might be one of our hardest challenges as surgeons. Sometimes patients with really excellent outcomes are unhappy. This should never happen, but it does. I completely understand how someone your size would feel way too big, and unfortunately with age, your breasts typically get bigger. Not necessarily only in terms of volume, but also in terms of length, which may be just as troublesome. Having breast reduction surgery when you are young is, in my opinion, a great idea. Being young makes it even more crucial, however, to have a healthy functioning breast...with good circulation, natural appearance, and functioning nerves. The smaller you try to get, the more chance you will risk problems.Long story short, you cannot choose a specific size and it is not possible using techniques that limit long term functional deficits to your breasts to become an A cup. It is possible to go from being way too big to simply big in one operation. For you this would be a B. Start with finding a surgeon whose patients are happy and whom you like. It sounds like you are an excellent patient for this procedure. Best wishes. I hope this helps.