Can I Lose Weight After Breast Reduction?

asked 1 year ago by fondadamato1
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,084 times
Tags: age 35-44, 150-169 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, sagging, weight loss, DDD cup

I'm 44 5'6, 165lbs w/40ddd sagging heavy breasts that are very dense and I want to be a 38d cup. I have neck and back pains daily. I plan on losing 20 lbs, but my surgery is scheduled this month,if i have the breast reduction and lift now and lose the 20lbs after the surgery will my breast start sagging or have any other problems from losing the weight. I will lose the weight with a daily exercise and healthy eating routine. I cant delay surgery because school starts in January what should I do?

11 answers to Can I Lose Weight After Breast Reduction?

Lose Weight after Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery. It is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. It is usually best to be as close as possible to your long-term stable weight prior to proceeding with this operation. Additional weight loss after the breast reduction surgery may result in additional decrease in breast size and or “drooping”. These changes may necessitate further surgery. You should... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss after breast reduction

It is difficult to predict breast size changes with weight loss as this varies tremendously among individuals. I have had patients who were motivated to undertake a exercise program following the liberating feelings of a breast reduction who then lost substantial breast volume and later requested breast augmentation. IF you are seriosu about the weight loss, you may want to consider defering surgery until completion of weight loss. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Weight Loss Before or After Breast Reduction

It is usually better to lose the weight before your surgery because your breast can change after losing the weight post-surgery. You don’t want to have the procedure and then not be happy with your final results. However, many women find sticking to a diet/exercise program is easier to follow through with after having a positive cosmetic surgery experience.

Robert N. Young, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss after reduction

Lose the weight first and then have your reduction. This will give your surgeon the best shot at the size and shape of breast you want and you will be healthier to under go surgery at a lighter weight. Overweight and obese patients have higher risks and complications. Remember, this is a procedure that is going to affect the rest of your life. You want to go about it the right way. Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.

Lisa L. Sowder, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and Breast Reduction

A 20lbs loss after surgery is not likely to change the result much, but there might be the need for a small amount of skin tightening later.

James M. Kurley, MD
Champaign Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and breast reduction

If you are definitely going to lose the weight, you are probably better off waiting to undergo the breast reduction. They will probably sag more and deflate with weight loss.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Lose Weight After Breast Reduction

It is a "damned if you do or damned if you don't" question. Best to reschedule the operation til aftyer you have lost at least 15 pounds of the planned 20 pounds weight lose goal. Than you can not blame the weight loss after the operation if you begin to sag again. But I find most patients are unrealistic in their goals and just delay the surgery for months withoput losing the desired weight. It is your decision not ours!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Timing of Breast Reduction and Weight Loss

Hi there- I have had many patients like yourself over the years.... In most cases, responsible plastic surgeons would agree that having the procedure after your weight loss is complete would significantly lower the risks that your breasts change as a result of the weight loss- causing you to be a bit less happy than you could have been, and increasing the risk of needing a touch up procedure after the weight loss. On the other hand, I have had many patients in your position remind more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Weight and breast reduction

It is always better to get to your target weight if possible before body contouring procedures like breast reductions. In fact, some insurance companies will demand it before they pay. If you decide not to, you must be aware of the ramifications. If you tell a surgeon you plan to lose a significant amount of weight after a reduction, a couple of things might happen. Some doctors will under-reduce expecting some loss of volume post-op. If you don't lose the weight or it doesn't... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Okay to have a breast reduction

In general, I am not overly concerned with a 20 pound weight loss. Usually there is no much of a change in breast size with this degree of weight loss. A 40 pound weight loss can make a difference. Before any body contouring procedure it is always recommended to be a stable weight, but this does not always work out. My recommendation would be to have the reduction at this time. The change in your body shape and the way you feel will far override... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Weight Loss after Reduction

If conditions (school) mandate that you have your surgery performed before losing an additional 20 pounds, you should go ahead with the surgery. This should not cause a great deal of change in your final result. Bear in mind, however, that reduction can change your cup size but not your chest size (40 to 38).