Reduction to a C Cup from DD Cup? (photos)

Many women think they have to undergo excessive
breast reduction to achieve pain relief.At size 36 DD each 200 grams removed corresponds to 1 cup size
change.400 gram removal would take you
from a DD to a C.I recommend a new
technique called The Horndeski Method™.The breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated
higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.The weight of the breast is transferred to
the underlying muscle resulting in immediate pain relief.This allows you to achieve the size breasts
proportionate to your body without excessive reduction.This technique avoids the ugly vertical scars
of the traditional technique, maintains nipple sensation and the ability to
breast feed.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hi. I hear your frustration. The answer is yes. It is possible to take you from your current size to your desired size. However, you must lose the weight before any procedure is done. It may be that if indeed you lose 50 lbs., you may need a lift with implants to restore some of the volume lost with the weight reduction. In any case, research , research and the research some more.Always seek out the opinion of a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with years of experience in cosmetic breast surgery. Furthermore request to see before and after photos of previous patients by that doctor....not a clinic or surgery center. Do your homework......research and verify the doctor's credentials. Have they had problems with the Board of Medicine, disciplinary or otherwise. Any law suits? How about the center, clinic or facility? Are they accredited by a national organization or do they just have State approval. Understand that at the current time, there are three nationally recognized organizations responsible for the highest levels of patient safety, AAAASF, AAACH and JCHO. You owe it to yourself to position yourself for the best possible results but under the most stringent safety regulations, If you have kids, even more so.How about anesthesia? Will you have a medical doctor certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology or a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA)? Understand that there is no substitute for research. Cosmetic surgery, no matter how simple it may be to the patients, are invasive procedures and as such carry certain risks and complications.In our office we use TouchMD which is a web based program in which patients have the ability to load their picture unto the program. I then evaluate them and can actually draw on the picture to show a potential patient where the incisions would be located and how the procedure is to be realized. It's all done to comply with HIPPA which is the federal law that protects the patient's medical information. Look them up.I wish you well on your journey. Good luckDr PG

Thanks for your questions and photographs.  Its likely you would be an ideal candidate for breast reduction.  I always advise my patients to be at their goal weight, and hold it steady for around three months, before proceeding with surgery.  This allows them to achieve optimum results as any fluctuations in weight will comprise the outcome of surgery.  Its impossible to determine prior to pregnancy and breast feeding just how you breasts will respond, but its important to understand the you may require revision surgery down the track if pregnancy and breast feeding cause your breasts to sag and droop.

You certainly will need to have an in-person consultation for definitive recommendations BUT based on your pictures alone it seems like you would be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery which reduces the size of the breasts and lifts them at the same time.  It sounds like you have a really good, intelligent handle on your situation and what steps you should be taking and what questions you should be asking.  It is key to engage in a diet & exercise program to help with weigh loss prior to having your surgery and to get at least close to your ideal body weight.  The reason is because if you have your surgery then lose additional weight, the breast glands may decrease in size as well and result in recurrence of loose skin/sagging of the breasts (ptosis).  Certainly, having children in the future will cause the breast tissue to grow again and often (especially after breast feeding) the breasts will become somewhat ptotic again and another lift needed.  Please make sure that you consult with board certified/eligible plastic surgeons for an evaluation! Good luck!

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your description, you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery at some point. “Official” recommendations of course would necessitate in-person consultation.
Breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. By removing “excess” breast tissue, adipose tissue, and breast skin  this operation reduces and lifts the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. When a breast reduction is performed, a breast “lift” occurs as part of the procedure. Patients often find improvement in neck, back, and shoulder discomfort and find it easier to form their activities of daily living and exercise. 
Timing of the operation will depend on the patient's life circumstances. In general, it is best to do this procedure ( like all other elective body contouring the stages,  when patients have reached their long-term stable weights ( as you are doing).  In doing so, there is an "improvement" in the safety of the procedure and the need for further surgery ( in the event of weight gain/loss after the breast reduction procedure) is minimized.  Breasts may change, unpredictably, after pregnancy.  Often, changes seen with pregnancy include a decrease in size and/or change in position.
Sometimes breast  reduction surgery is covered through health insurance. The best way to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery involves some “hoops” to jump through. The more documentation you have (for example, from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor etc.) the better when it comes to obtaining insurance “authorization” for the procedure.
 This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization.

When the time is right,  seek consultation with well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and communicate your goals clearly.  I suggest that you do not communicate your goals in terms of achieving a specific cup size. For example, a “C cup” may mean different things to different people and therefore may be a source of miscommunication. In my practice, I ask patients to communicate their goals with the help of goal photographs.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.  Best wishes as you work towards your goals.