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

Question

Hello. I am 37 years old. Height 5'4", weight 137 lbs. Two breast fed children. Interested in a breast reduction/lift to take me from my current DDD cup size to a C. Would removing 100 grams from each breast tissue suffice? Thank you.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Bra cup sizes vary from different brands and how women like their bras to fit. Estimating resection amounts depends on several variables.  Usually 100-150gm gets patients down one cup size, with that estimate going down 3 cups sizes would be approximately 300-450 grams.

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Your surgeon will need to remove more than just 100grams.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Keith M. Blechman, MD · Answer

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

Colin White, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. It is very difficult to answer this question based only on the picture and the information given; however, I would say that it is unlikely that removing only 100 g from each breast would change your size from a DDD to a C cup. The cup sizing system is fraught with issues in itself because cup size is not a standardized unit used universially across the clothing industry. The other issue is that for your surgery you will need both breast tissue and skin removed. As both of this tissues need removal the exact weight is almost impossible to predict. You should discuss this issue with your surgeon in detail.
Good luck,
Dr. White

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

Without an exam, it will not be possible to fully evaluate you and give you recommendations.  Breast reduction eligibility and coverage by insurance varies from one insurance carrier to the next, and cannot be determined based on cup size, but only based on an in-person examination to figure out how much tissue the surgeon needs to remove.  You also often have to qualify for multiple other criteria from your insurance carrier, so be sure to request their breast reduction coverage policy ahead of time before your plastic surgery visit to ensure you meet all the other non-size related demands that they have.  Be sure to discuss your goals and concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon and consider the pros and the cons. Be certain your surgeon is properly certified.  I've attached a link where you can start your search.

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get a breast reduction because you have enough tissue to reshape to reduce and lift it. Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. Also please try to find a board certified plastic surgeon, remember that your safety, always, is going to be first.
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Mohamad H. Bazzi, MD · Answer

Hello,
Good question however that will be best answered by the surgeon who examines you.  There is no way to really calculate a cup size based on tissue weight with no exam considering some women can have very dense breast tissue and others may have softer breasts.  Be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who you trust to work closely with you to achieve your goals.
Best wishes!

Tracy Pfeifer, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Typically a cup size is 100-150grams/ccs.  Looking at your frame, 150cc is probably a cup for you.  I know you said you are a DDD but I believe your cup size is actually larger.  Most women are wearing a band that is too big and a cup size that is too small.  Assuming you are a DDD, you would need approximately 450grams removed.  Since in all likelihood you are actually a much larger cup size, you probably need around 600 grams removed.  Removing 100 grams will not accomplish much at all.  If you have neck and back pain, you will need more tissue removed to relieve these symptoms.  If you are mostly interested in a lift, which a reduction also does, if you do not remove enough weight, the breasts will easily sag again.  The weight of tissue removal also depends on the density of your breasts.  If your breast tissue is very dense, it will weigh more.  My breast reduction patients are some of my most happy patients.  Good luck with your surgery.  Make sure your plastic surgeon is experienced in breast surgery and is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

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.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A 100 gm reduction will not reduce your breasts significantly.  Also, volume removed does not correlate very accurately to cup size. Removing several hundred grams is more likely necessary to achieve your goals. You do look like an excellent candidate for a breast reduction.

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