The impact of mastopexy on brassiere cup size

Background: Surgeon observation suggested that mastopexy alone resulted in decreased cup size. The purpose of this investigation was to assess change in cup size in women undergoing mastopexy alone. Methods: A retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience from February of 2002 to May of 2011 was completed. Patients underwent mastopexy alone (specimen weight < 150 g per side). Exclusion criteria were prior breast augmentation, implant removal at time of mastopexy, combination breast augmentation-mastopexy, and incomplete follow-up. Patients were surveyed by telephone regarding preoperative and postoperative cup size, changes in bra manufacturer, hormone status, and weight gain/loss, and data were analyzed. Results: Sixty-one patients met inclusion criteria, and 20 completed the survey. Their average age was 46.6 years (range, 35 to 76 years) and average body mass index was 22.8 kg/m² (range, 18.2 to 26.4 kg/m²). Eighty percent (n = 16) had grade II ptosis and 20 percent (n = 4) had grade III ptosis preoperatively. Average specimen weight per breast was 57.8 g (range, 4 to 149 g). Patients reported an average decrease in cup size of 0.90 cup sizes (range, -3 to +2 cup sizes). Excluding one patient who reported an increase, an average decrease of 1.05 cup sizes (range, 0 to 3 cup sizes) was seen. No patients reported changing bra manufacturer. Conclusions: Mastopexy alone results in an average decrease in one brassiere cup size. This is important for preoperative counseling, because patients should recognize that their actual cup size is smaller than the brassiere they wear, which will be reflected postoperatively despite a relatively stable volume.