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Waiting Period for Breast Reduction or Lift After Weight Loss?

asked 2 years ago by Sweetgirl1 in NY
Latest answer by Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD
Question viewed 1,329 times
Tags: breasts, female, weight loss, breast size, DD cup, DDD cup

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.

16 answers to Waiting Period for Breast Reduction or Lift After Weight Loss?

Weight loss prior to breast reduction

You don't state your age, but the proportion of fat to gland in the female breast usually in creases with age so loosing weight may have little effect on your breast size. what is more important is the impact of your hyperrtrophy on your back and neck and your skin beneath your breasts. Even overweight patients can benifit greatly from reduction. See my site for previous answers to your question.

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift / reduction after weight loss

As long as you are within 15-20 pounds of your goal weight and have been stable there, I see no reason not to proceed with your reduction and lift right now.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Surgery after weight loss

Hi, Thank you for your question! Once you have reached a weight which you feel you can steadily maintain, you can proceed with the breast reduction or lift. Ideally, you want to have maintained your weight loss for at least 6 months and be at a steady weight. If you feel you can't maintain your goal weight, you may want to reevaluate things. Gaining and losing weight can have an impact on your results post-op. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to get more individualized advice... more

Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

For Breast Surgery After Weight Loss, 6 Months Since Weight Stabilization

Your weight should be stable for 6 months, and then you can consider breast rejuvenation surgery or other body contouring procedures. Realistically, it will take you another couple of months to lose those last 15 pounds. Then, you should wait 6 more months. So, 8-9 months from now is probably the best time. There is a big exception: If your large breasts are causing pain, then you could consider a breast reduction now. Then, you would be more easily able to exercise, so that you could... more

Michael C. Pickart, MD
Ventura Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift After Weight Loss

I think its important to make sure your weight loss has been stable for at least 6 months. If you proceed with a breast lift/reduction and then you lose an addition 20, 30, or 40 lbs, you could see some major changes to your breasts. This may require additional surgery. Whereas once your weight has stablized, you will see the best most lasting results.

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift or Breast Reduction after Weight Loss

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.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and breast reduction

I usually like to have my patients wait 6 months or longer after significant weight loss. However, if your breasts are not changing in volume too much, you may want to get the ball rolling to get approval for the surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Timing for breast surgery following massive weight loss

I generally believe that a 6 month time period following massive weight loss is a reasonable time period to elapse prior to considering bilateral reduction mammoplasty or mastopexy.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and breast surgery

Congratulations on your weight loss! Not only does it increase the chances of a better post-operative result, but it makes for a healthier lifestyle. Good job. As far as scheduling surgery following weight loss--if your weight loss has been gradual (i.e. through diet and exercise as opposed to weight loss surgery), then there's no significant benefit to waiting if you only have 15 more pounds to go. If your weight loss was rapid, then you need to give your skin a chance to recover and... more

Elan B. Singer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Waiting may not be needed for Breast Reduction or Lift after weight loss

For evolutionary reasons, the breast is a priviliged site in weight loss. It would take an EXTREME weight loss (IE starvation) to result in a deflation of the breast. Personally, if your weight is rather stable for 4-6 months, I see no need to wait until you lose 15 pounds. I do not think it would greatly impact the size of the breasts in terms of a breast reduction or breast lift. Good Luck.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Breast Surgery after Weight Loss

It seems that your breasts do not have a lot of "depot fat", if you lost only a single cup size with a 46lb weight loss. For that reason, I do not feel that you need to wait a significant period of time for your surgery after you lose the additional 15lb.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Surgery after weight loss

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... more

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

Breast size can vary with weight loss

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.

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

When to have a breast lift after weight loss.

I don't think the length of time after the weight loss is critical, but rather the fact that your breast size is not changing . Perhaps a rough estimate of time may be 3 to 6 months should be the ideal time. It is well known that the breast has a certain volume to it that is fatty tissue and with further weight loss the breast may also decrease in size. Wait until you don't see a difference, then feel comfortable in moving forward with your surgery. ... more

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Breast Surgery After Weight Loss?

Thank you for the question. Congratulations on your successful weight loss. You will hopefully experience why breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. I generally ask patients to be at or plus/minus 10 pounds close to their stable weight prior to having breast surgery. This will maximize our chances of achieving the patient's goals and minimize the chances that further surgery will will be necessary (for weight... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction OK even if overweight.

Hi. I disagree with most of my colleagues on this subject. I don't think breast reduction should be linked to weight. In New York City, we have seen many dozens of overweight women benefit a great deal physically and psychologically after surgery. As you say, breast size often does not change much with weight loss.