I'm 5'3", 173 lbs, size 34DD overflowing. Am I a good candidate for breast reduction? What is the smallest I could go? (photos)

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.

Thanks for your question! You do appear to be a good candidate for a breast reduction! With as dense as your breast tissue appears to be, I think you can get a great result. Good luck!

Hi, Thank you for the question.
Based on your photos and physical symptoms, you appear to be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
Schnur Sliding Scale is a scale used by many insurance companies as a guideline for how much breast tissue should be removed in order to improve your physical symptoms. In addition, most insurances in order to approve the surgery, will require for 2-3 letters of medical necessity (from your chiropractor, primary doctor, OBGYN, Dermatologist, etc) demonstrating that your physical symptoms due to large breasts are not improving with conservative management.
It is difficult to predict the exact cup size, but I typically tell my patients that the goal should be for the breasts to be proportionate with the rest of the body.
I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast Reduction surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzFellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hello, of course you are a candidate for breast reduction. You can go down to a B cup. And you are a good candidate for a vertical reduction. That means that we can use a scar around the areola and a vertical one. We would not do a horizontal scar.
ThanksDr. Medina

Dear Ssteadward,
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

Hello, thank you for your question. The cup size measure has inherent variability. Tissue density will always play a big role in the number of grams removed. Going too small can sacrifice the shape of the breasts. The nipple has to have a blood supply to survive from the underlying tissue. A PS cannot guarantee that a breast will be a specific cup size after reduction. Very large breasts rarely are reduced by more than two or three "cup" sizes. Your best answer will come after an in-office consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hello dear, thank you for your question and pictures.

After evaluating your case you seem to be a great candidate for a breast reduction and a lift, about the size of the breast this will depend on your wishes because during surgery we can remove all the tissue to make it smaller.

Make sure to approach to a certified surgeon to help you clear all your doubts.

Best wishes!