Summary

• Breast Reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size and weight of the breasts, addressing concerns such as limited mobility and physical discomfort
• Most Breast Reduction procedures can achieve a decrease in 3-6 cup sizes
• Your surgeon will discuss the optimal reduction in breast size during your consultation, depending on your bodily proportions and personal concerns
• Cadogan Clinic’s expert Consultant Breast Surgeons are specialists in performing Breast Reduction surgery, offering the highest quality patient care and outcomes

How Many Cup Sizes Can a Breast Reduction Remove?

The extent of the reduction which can be achieved during a Breast Reduction procedure will depend on the natural size of the patient’s breasts and their desired results.

There are several factors which can impact the final breast size achieved from a Breast Reduction:

• Breast density: The density of breast tissue and the internal structure of the breasts will influence how much excess tissue can be removed
• Bodily proportions: It is important to balance improved comfort with flattering aesthetics when considering Breast Reduction results
• Future breastfeeding: If you wish to be able to breastfeed in future, your Consultant Breast Surgeon may recommend removing slightly less breast tissue in order to preserve the internal structures required to produce and express milk

The key consideration when determining how much breast volume can be reduced during a Breast Reduction is the amount of breast tissue required to support nipple function. If too much breast tissue is removed, the blood supply throughout the breast and to the nipple may be compromised, resulting in complications, including possible tissue death.

Although there are no definite rules, in most cases, the optimal decrease in breast size from a Breast Reduction is up to 3 full cup sizes. However, larger Breast Reductions involving a decrease of up to 6 full cup sizes are possible, if a patient’s anatomy allows.

In order to perform a larger Breast Reduction, your Consultant Breast Surgeon may recommend removing the nipples and regrafting them to allow the blood supply to be restored.

How Much Weight Can You Lose with a Breast Reduction?

Although weight loss is not usually the primary goal of a Breast Reduction, it is a useful illustration of the amount of breast tissue that may be removed.

As cup sizes vary between bra manufacturers and also depend on bodily proportions, they aren’t always the best way to describe the size reduction achieved through a Breast Reduction.

• Small Breast Reduction: 200-400g removed from each breast
• Moderate Breast Reduction: 500-800g removed from each breast
• Large Breast Reduction: Over 1,000g removed from each breast

It is important to remember that although these are the quantities of tissue that may be removed, this does not necessarily translate directly into weight loss after Breast Reduction surgery.

Although the exact reduction in cup sizes following a Breast Reduction can vary from patient to patient, most procedures involve a reduction of around 3 cup sizes, while more significant procedures may achieve a reduction of up to 6 cup sizes.

Cadogan Clinic Breast Reduction Size Chart

It isn’t possible to perfectly predict the final size a patient may achieve before a Breast Reduction is carried out, as factors such as breast tissue density will affect how the amount of tissue removal correlates with the size reduction. However, using the chart below may provide an approximate idea of the final breast size that may be achieved.

During your consultation, your Consultant Breast Surgeon will examine your breasts to determine the amount of breast tissue that may be removed and will give you an estimate of the post-surgery size that you could achieve.

The final size achieved during a Breast Reduction is based on several personal factors, including breast density and blood flow; however, patients can understand the approximate post-operative size to expect using the Breast Reduction size chart above.

Can Breasts Get Bigger Again After Reduction?

Following Breast Reduction, it is possible for the breasts to become larger again; however, it is rare for breasts to return to their original size.

There are a number of causes which can lead to the breasts regrowing after Breast Reduction, which your surgeon will make you aware of during your consultation:

• Weight changes
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Medical conditions
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Depending on your personal circumstances, your Consultant Breast Surgeon may recommend completing your family before you proceed with a Breast Reduction to prevent your breasts from regrowing after surgery. However, depending on your age and the impact your breast size is having, this isn’t always possible, and surgery may be required sooner.

Breast size can increase again after Breast Reduction surgery; however, your surgeon will assess your personal risk during your consultation and make any adjustments or recommendations which may address this.

Frequently Asked Questions