How Do I Choose a Cup Size?

You will feel so much better. I know I did. I was a size 42DD. I am now a 40C. I am 5" with a medium frame.

Hi, I don't know how much my opinion will count as I am one of those people who have been flat my whole life, a 36 A cup and have been able to wear girls' traingin bras at times,but here goes. I do agree with everyone who says that some of it will depend on your body type and frame. I once saw a woman who was so huge compared to her body that it looked like a deformity. My husband said that there was a good chance she was an exotic dancer since she was so small framed but with basket ball size breast and wore very tight clothing. It just looked so strange. I have a friend who just had an enhancement and she was wanting a full C. At first she felt like maybe she didn't go large enough, but once the swelling was down she was very happy as she said that her clothes now look great and she is happy she didn't go bigger as clothing would have been more difficult to get the look she wanted. It will of course be strange to see yourself so small in comparison. I think it is a good idea to ask your husband, but ultimately you have to do what makes you feel good. A full C or even a small D might be best. If you have a very small frame, a C would be fine.

J. don't listen to your friends unless they have been there. I was probably a Triple F, and I got mine to a C cup and have never felt better. Go for the C. Also Ebay, I don't know if you are an Ebayer or not, but they sell bras in Lots. I bought my new with tags bras on Ebay for a fraction of the cost. You are going to love your new you and so will your husband.

Have a blessed week, Lenay

I would say it depends on your body size and what the doctor suggests. I assume that you are doing it for health reasons and reducing back pain? If so, you would want to take enough off to help that...ask the doctor. If you are petite then a full C would defintely look nice but for me...I am 5'11" and big everywhere but my boobs. I wish I had bigger plumper boobs to go with my body size. I have a large frame. I think I need a full D to look right.

Good luck.

I too plan to have breast reduction surgery and have asked myself the same question. Going to a "C" is a big leap, but doesn't it sound so nice? =) For some reason, I am afraid of going too small and it being too drastic and I always have a D in mind. It's hard to imagine what that would be like or if it will be the size you want. Can your Dr. help guide you? I'm very interested in knowing the results of your surgery, who your Dr. is, and how the experience is for you.

I've always heard one size bigger than you're planning. I have several friends who've wished they'd gone a size bigger & those who did go a size bigger had no regrets. Good luck & good for you!

That is a pretty drastic leap. Your plastic surgeon will have input, too, I would think. It all depends on your body size and shape -- a C isn't the best size for everyone. What about your husband? Does he have an opinion? I would talk it over with the doctor doing the procedure, I think. And talk to more than one surgeon! That the best advice I can give.

Good luck!

How cool! I am so excited for you. I am the same size and I am thinking of going to a "C". That way I can by bras off the rack (how exciting!!) My sister had it done and she said they go by how big you are around the middle at the time of surgery. She said they even put you vertical to see how they look during the surgery (wild...) I am just starting my process I haven't found my surgeon yet but I am on the hunt. I can't believe how many surgeons put bad "after" pictures on their websites! Crazy :O)

J....Congratulations on your decision to get such a great surgery and I hope it goes so well for you. I had a breast reduction done in May of 2008 and it was the best thing I'd ever done. I started developing very early on. I was in a C cup in middle school and DD by the time I graduated high school. Over the years with weight fluctuation I went between a DD and a DDD. At 26 I had my daughter and after she was born I was up to a G cup. And they didn't get any smaller after her birth. After she was a year old I decided to get the surgery. My doctor asked me what size I'd like and I thought between a C/D cup because that was comfortable for me but we discussed all the options. I'm 5'7" around 175 lbs. When you go to your consultation your surgeon should discuss with you what he feels comfortable with taking off of your breasts (lbs...I had 2.5 lbs removed from one and 3 lbs removed from the other) and what will go best with your body type. That's what mine did. I had a reduction and a lift and now almost a year later I'm comfortable in a C cup and LOVING it!! After the surgery it's a little scary because your breasts are all stiff and cone looking....I freaked out the first time I saw mine...lol...but as the swelling goes down and the round out to their natural shape and size it's awesome!!! I feel like I'm 28 now with a sixteen year old's breasts :) They are soft and perky and look great. So it's really not about deciding an actual cup size as it is looking at how much you really need to have removed to be comfortable with yourself and your new breasts. As soon as I had mine done my back, neck and shoulder pains all stopped! I'm also 17 weeks pregnant with my second child now and they haven't changed a bit. I have no doubt they'll still look as good after I have this second baby. Sorry to ramble on...lol...I just get so excited when other people get to experience the kind of feelings a breast reduction can give you. I felt like a new person. It was so great to be able to go into a normal store and buy a bra and buy normal shirts and even a bathing suit!!! It really boosts your self-esteem! I'm so excited for you :)

Congrats! I can't wait to get mine done. You need to go with what makes you happiest. Do you remember what a full C was like? I can tell you clothes will fit better in a C cup vs. a D.
Let us know the outcome and if you are happy.

Congrats on your upcoming reduction surgery. I had the same surgery eight years ago, right after college, and it was the best decision I ever made. Your question on what size you should go to really depends on what your body frame is and if you need to lose any weight. Personally, I have a small frame and I was overflowing in a 36 DD bra. I went to a medium size C (I now fit into a 34C) and I am very happy with the results. I wish you much luck.

The first thing to consider is why you are having the reduction surgery. If it is due to back issues, then you may consider choosing a size that your frame can handle. If you have a smaller frame I would go with what would be suitable for you. Your decision should also include availability, would be able to find your size in the store? or will you have to go to specialty shops and have to customize order your undergarments. Last thing to consider is your lifestyle, are you active? Sure going from a FF cup to a C cup is a drastic change but you have to do what is best for you and your body. Don't worry about what others may think; I sure you'll come to the correct decision. You should also ask your surgeon during your consultation visit. Tell them the size your thinking about and any concerns you may have about it.

A full C sounds perfect, don't worry about what your friends say if you want a C get a C. Your the one that will be living with them plus it's easier to get button down shirts that will not have a gap in the chest area that fits nicely.

I'm a 40 DD only because I am overweight, once I lose weight the girls will too. I was a 36 C when I got married 25 years ago.

Hi J.!

I would say that it all depends on your body type. I actually had an enhancement after breastfeeding my kids. I went to a full C, just one cup size up. But now I find it very difficult to find clothing that fits! I'm 5'2" 130lbs. I would consult with you doctor and see what is an proportional size for you body. Good luck on your surgery!

I do not think it's too big of a leap. I had mine done 20 years ago when I was 17 years old. I went from an EE cup to C cup and have never regretted it for one second. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. At the time, I was 5 foot 2 and weighed only 115 lbs, so a C cup was more than enough for my body. I think the right size depends on your height, weight, how broad your shoulders are...in other words your body type. Also, they should be able to do computer imaging to show you what you would look like with different sizes.

Good Luck, you won't regret it!

Most clothes are cut with a C-cup in mind (it's the average), but if that seems too dramatic you can be a happy D. :) Talk to your surgeon, and take into account your height and frame size.

I have never actually understood how you pick out a size when you go to a surgeon. I used to work at a very popular lingerie store, sorry, but I'll keep the name a Secret, haha, but the point is the cup size of a 34C, 36C, and a 38C are all different for real boobs in real life. My ideal size is a 34D which is the same cup size as a 36C or a 32DD. Basically, go down an inch in bandwidth you gain a cup size and go up an inch in bandwidth and you'll loose a cup size. A lot will depend upon your frame as well. I would suggest that if you have any friends who are of your same frame and the cup size you would like to be (make sure they aren't wearing a padded bra) I would ask their size. Feel free to take pictures of examples to the Dr. It is a big decision and pretty painful surgery so be sure. I would personally rather be a little bit too big versus a little bit too small. I have considered the same surgery but to get a lift, not to decrease in size, so let us know what you chose and how it went. I've decided to wait until I'm 100% finished having kids. I'm breastfeeding now and I understand it could be pretty difficult for some to breastfeed after that surgery. Plus, once I got the new pair I wouldn't want to do anything to ruin the perk factor, haha.