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Guide · Breast reduction
Groove marks from bra straps, sore skin, and recurring inflammation in the inframammary fold: Very large breasts can be a constant burden in daily life. Whether a breast reduction is medically justified depends on the symptoms—not the cup size.
Note: The video contains medical footage. Watch reel on Instagram ↗
The weight of the breast is distributed across the bra straps onto the shoulders and neck. In the case of very large breasts, groove marks—visible indentations in the skin—develop there over time. Heat and moisture accumulate in the inframammary fold, the skin chafes, becomes sore, and repeatedly becomes inflamed. Neck, shoulder, and back pain are frequently added. This burden is the medical starting point—not the size in itself.
A bra size consists of two measurements: the underbust band size (the number) and the cup size (the letter). The cup size only describes the difference between the bust and underbust measurements—a ratio, not an absolute size. A C cup with an underbust measurement of 70 therefore means significantly less volume than the same cup size at 85. Anyone with a broad breast base naturally has more tissue: the breasts appear larger even though the letter is the same.
During a breast reduction, glandular and fatty tissue is removed, excess skin is tightened, and the nipple is relocated to a new position. The complexity of the procedure depends on the specific condition. A very broad breast base makes it more difficult to reposition the nipple-areolar complex upward while maintaining a harmonious shape. Such points are discussed prior to the procedure and incorporated into the planning.
In a female patient with an initial bra size of 80 F, there were pronounced groove marks from the bra straps and recurrent inflammation in the inframammary fold. A medically indicated breast reduction was performed, and approximately 500 grams of glandular tissue were removed per side—about one kilogram in total. Complicating factors included a very wide breast base, which made the positioning of the nipple challenging. After the procedure, the bra size was 80 C.
The described course of events is an individual example and does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the outcome or healing process in other female patients.
„The difficulty with her was that she has a very broad base – getting the nipple to point upward was not entirely easy.“
— Dr. med. Zeynep Potente, Board Certified Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon
The symptoms are what matter, not the cup size: groove marks from bra straps, recurrent inflammation in the inframammary fold, as well as neck, shoulder, and back pain. Whether costs can be covered is decided by the health insurance fund on a case-by-case basis based on the findings and previous treatments.
That depends on the initial finding and the desired result and is determined individually before the procedure. In the described case, it was about 500 grams per side.
Only to a limited extent. The letter describes the difference to the underbust measurement, not the absolute volume. The same cup size means significantly more tissue with an underbust measurement of 85 than with 70. For planning purposes, the physical finding on the body matters, not the clothing size.
Depending on the symptoms, coverage of costs may be possible. The health insurance company makes this decision on an individual basis; as a rule, medical reports and documented prior treatments are required. During the consultation, we will discuss which documents are helpful.
In a personal consultation, we will discuss the findings, options, and the appropriate path – with no obligation.
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. Zeynep Potente · Updated on July 29, 2026
