I am 25 wear a 36DDD and weigh 141lb. I was wondering if it is possible to go to a 36 B and if it is safe? (photo)

Question

I wore a 34G at 13 years old and have always had extreme back, neck, and shoulder pain. After 2 children I am still in a 36DDD I would like to br taken down to a 36B.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the problems your disproportionately large breasts have caused you.  
Before undergoing the breast reduction procedure (one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform) 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. 
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. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “B 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.
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.  
The other concern with overly aggressive breast reduction surgery is patient dissatisfaction  afterwards.  It is not unusual for patients who have lived with very large breasts to want to have as much as possible removed. Care must be taken to be judicious in this removal to avoid an outcome where the breasts  are too small in relation (proportionately) to the patient's other body parts.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Needed posted breasts photos... But I assume a breast reduction would be able to achieve a c cup for you....

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

It can be possible depending on the breast shape and width, however for most the goal is comfort and an attractive breast shape and contour. For some the natural chest and breast width may not make the B cup realistic. Rather than the cup size, explore the look best for you, and check out the "B" in a store and see if the bra and cup are really for you.

Jay Calvert, MD, FACS · Answer

If your goal is to be a certain cup size, then anything is possible.  However, what will the breasts look like after a reduction of this magnitude...well, that is the question.  The reality is that breasts are all different and they give rise to certain sizes of reductions.

I am 25 wear a 36DDD and weigh 141lb. I was wondering if it is possible to go to a 36 B and if it is safe? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Limits of a breast reduction...How small can the operation support.

Answer: Limits of a breast reduction...How small can the operation support.

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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I am 25 wear a 36DDD and weigh 141lb. I was wondering if it is possible to go to a 36 B and if it is safe? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Limits of a breast reduction...How small can the operation support.

Answer: Limits of a breast reduction...How small can the operation support.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.