What size Breast Reduction - How does a doctor determine what cup size they will be after reduction?

The plastic surgeon will reduce you as best he or she can to your desired size. Depending on the amount of breast tissue removed, the technique might be influenced.  This will be explained to you.

Breast Reduction is a complicated procedure that is best done by those with the most training and experience. It is very difficult to determine the resultant cup size and shape based solely on the number of grams that are removed from your breast to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast reduction and lift surgeries, including different approaches, techniques and even fat transfer and implant choices if you are lacking superior breast fullness.This is because several measurements—not to mention breast characteristics such as density—are needed to determine how much and where to remove breast tissue to meet your goals. Without knowing your existing breast shape, dimensions, and the density of your breast tissue, it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the same volume of breast tissue will weigh different amounts (measured in ounces or grams) in different people depending on its density. The existing base width of your breast and what you will ultimately want to look like will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume and weight that will need to be removed for the best result.Please click on the link below for more information!

Thank you for your question about breast reduction.As long as you meet the minimum amount of breast tissue removal required by insurance, then you can be whatever size you ask your plastic surgeon to make you.If the minimum amount cannot be removed, then you will not qualify for an insurance breast reduction and must pay for it on a cosmetic basis.

To be sure, see two or more experienced,
board-certified Plastic Surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure you are
a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.

I hope this helps.

The
post operative size of a breast reduction patient’s breasts is determined based
on the patient’s desires and the dimensions of her breast.The amount of breast that is left by the
surgeon has to be sufficient to allow for a pleasing round shape and adequate
projection.In addition, in larger
breasts, enough breast tissue must be left to provide sufficient circulation to
the nipple and areola as they are moved to their elevated location.The patient’s breasts after surgery should be
proportionate based on the width of the chest wall, waist, and hip width.Though woman with large breasts are
frequently very anxious to have the maximal amount removed, I have had patients
come to my office after reduction, by another surgeon, desiring breast
augmentation.No sense going from feast
to famine.

Generally speaking grams does not translate into cup size. It's virtually impossible to predicate what cup size you will be after the procedure because every bra manufacturer has different standards. Your breast have natural and measurable width and that will help determine your "after" size. You also have to take your body frame and current size into consideration, all things that will be done upon examination.

Unfortunately there is no real correlation between volume of tissue removed in grams and cup size. As I am sure you know, no two bra manufacturers cups fit the same. Insurance establishes the volume needed to be removed, more can be taken but not less.In some cases we can estimate closely, but it is difficult to perfectly accurate.I hope this helpsStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

Thank you for the question.  No, there is no direct correlation between the amount of tissue removed and the bra cup size that a patient will wear after breast reduction surgery.
Before undergoing the breast reduction procedure it is very important to communicate size goals with your surgeon.  In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C or D 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.
Best wishes.