I have recently lost 46 lbs and have about 15 more to go. My breast size has not decreased significantly, only from a DDD cup to a DD cup. How long after my weight loss is complete should I wait to have a breast reduction or breast lift? Thank you.
By convention, most breast surgery experts wait 6 months after weight loss has plateaud before performing breast surgery. This time period varies with the degree of skin elasticity. In my practice in Los Angeles, I use a skin resiliency protocol that I developed while working with weight loss patients to determine the best course of action with breast lifts/reductions.
There are two main considerations. The first is the stability of your result. You should be able to maintain whatever weight loss or final lifestyle you adapt. To work hard to loss weight is not beneficial if you cannot maintain it. Generally speaking, we look at around 6 months as a good test interval to see if your final result is stable enough to warrant plastic surgery. The other consideration is the effect of weight loss on your area of concern. As you have noticed some areas of the body are more or less affected by weight loss. It might be reasonable to have plastic surgery on a particular body area if it is not as affected by weight loss. For example, you might not need to get to your final goal before you do rhinoplasty, or eyelid surgery, or perhaps even breast reduction as long as it is a high enough priority for you and you know there might a minor risk that your post-surgical result could change as your weight continues to go down.
A woman's breast size will change during weight gain and weight loss. However, the amount of change is unpredictable. Ideally, breast lift and reduction should be performed once you have reached a steady weight for at least three months; even if it is not your ideal weight.
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