Can Breast Tissue Grow Back After Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. Although not common, the recurrence of breast hypertrophy you have experienced does occur occasionally. Repeat breast reduction surgery may be indicated. If so, obtaining a copy of your previous operative report will be helpful. Best wishes.

Although it is indeed rare to return to the your pre-surgical volume following breast reduction, it does in fact happen. This can occur in patients who suffer from Juvenile Breast Hypertrophy. It can also occur in women who have breast reduction and then go on to become pregnant. The hormonal changes of pregnancy can incite a new growth phase for the breast tissue.

  It is possible although uncommon for your breasts to grow after reduction surgery. There are a few patients who have received a reduction surgery experienced such excessive growth of their breast a revision of the reduction surgery

While not common, the breasts can grow after surgery in some cases. If you gain weight, if you get pregnant, and in some cases when it is done in teenagers who have not completed growth.

Hi. I do not understand your situation.  After breast reduction, the breasts grow again in only 4 cases : 1)  Breast reduction done on teenagers with breasts still growing. 2)  Weight gain. 3)  Pregnancy and breast feeding. 4)  Menopause.

A breast reduction involves removal of breast tissue and the surrounding fat in addition to the skin. Once the glands are removed they don't regrow. However, with weight gain the fat can increase in size thus increasing the breast size. Fat really weights less than you think so your breasts could increase in size with less than a pound of weight gain.

 To need to repeat a breast reduction is very rare and even more rare if you have not gained weight in the interval after the first surgery.

You don't mention how much breast tissue was removed during the first operation. It would be very rare for tissue to grow back that quickly (a couple of years). We have seen re-growth after 10 or 15 years, sometimes related to weight increase and sometimes unrelated to weight. Go back to your surgeon and review your photos now versus the ones right after your breast reduction. Have a long discussion about the possibilities. If you do choose to have another breast reduction, make sure... more

This probably depends most on the age at which the procedure was intially done as well as your overall hormonal status. Most cases of hypertrophy following reduction is due to weight gain. Since this is not your case, it is possible that you could have actual growth of the breast tissue due to hormonal changes. A repeat breast reduction is possible but does involve some risk. It would be preferable for you to return to your original surgeon or at least get a copy of your operative report... more

Rarely, yes. In a condition called Virginal Breast Hypertrophy seen in teens, this has been known to happen. However, it is not a common occurrence. If indeed this is the case and you are bothered by the usual set of symptoms (neck, shoulder pain, inability to exercise, under the breast rashes, etc.), a second breast reduction may be called for.