Breast reduction going from cup size DDD to C. How many grams should my surgeon remove from each breast? (Photo)

Thank you for the question and congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; this operation tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
 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. There is simply too much variability among bra cup manufactures to make it a useful metric when it comes to preoperative communication and/or post operative predictions.
 Before undergoing the breast reduction procedure it will be very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon (who you should choose very carefully). 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. For example, I have found that the use of words such as “natural or proportionate” 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. 
Once you have communicated your goals carefully, your plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with an estimation of how much tissue will need to be removed, in order to achieve your desired outcome.  Having said the above, you will find that it will take significantly more than a 100 gram excision to achieve an outcome most people would consider a "C cup".
Best wishes with your breast reduction procedure; hopefully you will be very pleased with the outcome of the procedure performed.

Hi and thanks for your question. It’s always difficult to correlate the number of grams removed to a change in cup size.  This is because different women’s breasts have different densities, so 100 grams in one woman may occupy a different volume than 100 grams in another woman.  Furthermore, cup sizes are not standardized, so it can be difficult to judge the difference between any two cup sizes without actually trying a bra on, something that can’t be done during surgery when the patient is asleep.  It’s easier to think about a reduction in terms of percent, for example, to reduce the breast size by about 40-50%.  That being said, 100 grams of tissue is a small amount in general, and would be correlated more with just a breast lift, rather a noticeable reduction, especially for a patient who is larger then a B cup breast.
A visit to a plastic surgeon's office will help you to understand if you're a candidate for the procedure, and what aesthetic outcomes are realistic in your particular case.  In order to get a qualified, ethical, and expert opinion on your surgical options and expectations, always schedule an in-person office consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best of luck,
Keith M. Blechman, MD
New York, NY