What Size Will I Be After 400cc Reduction? (photo)

Question

I am currently a 36DD/DDD. 5'9 175lbs. I had a consult with a plastic surgeon and he said my surgery would be covered as long as he removes 400cc of tissue. I'm afraid of being left flat chested after the surgery. He said he thinks I will be a C possibly a B. I'm hoping for a C. My recent mammogram showed my breast are made up of a mixture of fat and breast tissue. Do you think I will be okay after 400cc removal?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Since you are a size 36 that means each 200 cc's of tissue removed will correspond to 1 cup size change.  If you are a DD and undergo removal of 400 cc's, you will become a C.  You are 5'9 and weigh 175 lbs.  Your BMI is 25.8 and therefore considered overweight.  I think you will be dissatisfied with size C breasts for your body shape.  The picture of you in a bra shows excellent volume and nice positioning.  Rahter than having a breast reduction, you should consider a breast lift.  A lift is NOT paid for by insurance but it would leave you the breasts that you would be more happy with.  Also, a breast lift can be done without a vertical incision and avoiding the boat anchor incision or lollipop incision.  This would be done through a circumareolar incision and inframammary incision only. This technique is called the Ultimate Breast Lift.  Your breasts will be youthful, perky and higher on the chest wall. It is worth looking into.

	Best wishes,

	Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

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!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.

	Whether or not you will be &ldquo;okay&rdquo; after 400 g breast reduction surgery will depend on one important variable: your goals.  Unfortunately, this assessment cannot be done adequately by online consultants.

	I would suggest that you meet with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons and communicate your goals in front of a full-length mirror.  You may be able to demonstrate what you are trying to achieve doing so. In my practice I like the use of goal pictures,  to help with this communication process.

	Based on clear communication one of these options will  become &ldquo;clearly evident&rdquo;:

	1. You will be happy with the results of breast reduction surgery  and  400 g of tissue removal.   With this reduction do not expect much &ldquo;fullness&rdquo; or superior pole volume. I think most women  would want more size/fullness than you will be left with after 400 g excision.

	2.  You will not be happy with the results of breast reduction surgery and 400 g of tissue removal. You may opt for a smaller reduction/breast lift and/or breast implants ( believe it or not) to achieve superior pole volume/roundness.

	Again, clear communication is the key.

	Best wishes

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

As best as I can tell from your pictures you should get a good result and although you will be smaller, your breasts will have more fullness because of the lifting effect with a breast reduction. I suspect you will be a C cup.

Robert Stroup, Jr., MD, FACS · Answer

​Based on your starting size (and you look more like a D/DD to me), I would predict that a 400 gm reduction will leave you in the large B to small C cup range.  This may be a little on the small side relative to your overall build.  If you are not willing to take that chance - and can afford it - ask you doctor to only remove as much as will give you a medium to full C.  You might hit the 400 gm weight and you might not.  But once the breast tissue is removed, it is gone forever, and the only solution if you end up too small is to put in an implant.  I think you probably want to avoid that.

What Size Will I Be After 400cc Reduction? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Most likely B/C

Answer: Most likely B/C

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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What Size Will I Be After 400cc Reduction? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Breast reduction

Answer: Most likely B/C

Answer: Most likely B/C

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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.