Going down from a 28DD to a 28A. Would doctors consider reduction for me, or am I out of luck?

Question

Yes, these measurements are accurate; I have used many different calculators and they all come out the same. I'm 171.5cm (5'7.5") with a very small frame & naturally underweight. They don't carry my size so I've tried going up and it's never comfortable & does not fit. My breasts have always been so much larger than the rest of my body and it looks very disproportionate like implants. My waist-line is naturally 25-26 inches as well. Would doctors consider reduction for me, or am I out of luck?

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

A more realistic final size may be a C.    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

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Based on your description you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery.   However, much more information is needed to determine whether you should proceed with surgery, and if so when (timing).  In my practice, I individualize the “timing” of surgery based on a lot of information that is transmitted during the consultation process.
“Typical” patients who present for breast reduction surgery are women who have disproportionately large breasts, causing problems such as neck/back/shoulder discomfort, postural changes, bra strap grooving, skin irritation/rashes under the breasts, and/or difficulty with activities of daily living and/or exercise etc. There may be both physical as well as psychosocial “stress” caused by the disproportionately large breasts.
Reducing breast tissue mass and elevating the breasts on the chest wall tend to improve or alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disproportionately large breasts.
Patients considering breast reduction surgery should also consider the potential downsides (risks/complications) associated with the procedure as well.. Poor scarring, for example may be associated with the procedure.  Additional surgery may be necessary in the short or longer term for a multitude of reasons.
When the time is right, I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
Then, it will be important that you communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon and make sure that you have realistic expectations prior to proceeding with any type of surgery. In regards to breast size desired, also communicate carefully. In my practice the use of goal pictures are helpful in this regard; a discussion of cup size can be confusing and imprecise.   Therefore, I would not suggest that you communicate your goals and/or base your satisfaction with the outcome of surgery on achieving a specific cup size.  I also find that the use of pictures is more helpful than the words “natural” or "proportionate” etc., which can mean different things to different people.
 
I hope this helps.

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

Based on what you have described, it would sound as though you could definitely benefit from a reduction.  If you want your insurance to pay for it, there may be some specific criteria you would have to meet to qualify, but if you plan to pay for the surgery yourself, there are no restrictions and you could certainly have a reduction.  However, going from a DD to an A cup might present a bit of a challenge as an A cup is really quite small.  An average cup size is considered to be a C and achieving that or a little smaller, perhaps a B cup, shouldn't' be a challenge.  Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Yuuknow,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

but your case may not qualify for insurance.  In addition, an A cup is really really hard to accomplish with a reduction and have it look like a good A cup... more realistically you could get a large B cup.  If you were in my practice, I would be charging you a mastopexy fee (must less than a reduction fee) and if tissue was sent in for pathology, that would cost you more as well (estimated $250 for both sides).  The only thing you must be certain of is that you are not interested in having the ability to fully breast feed any children that may be in your future as this procedure will diminish your ability alot and that you could lose sensation.

Going down from a 28DD to a 28A. Would doctors consider reduction for me, or am I out of luck?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: You can easily find a surgeon who can do a reduction for you

Answer: You can easily find a surgeon who can do a reduction for you

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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Going down from a 28DD to a 28A. Would doctors consider reduction for me, or am I out of luck?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: You can easily find a surgeon who can do a reduction for you

Answer: You can easily find a surgeon who can do a reduction for you

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.