Can Breast Tissue Grow Back After Breast Reduction?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 8,045 times
Tags: 2 years post-op, grow back, weight gain

Is it possible for breast tissue to grow back after a breast reduction? I had it done a couple of years ago and now my breasts look like they're the same size they were before the surgery. I haven't gained any weight or anything either. Is this common? Do I need a revision?

10 answers to Can Breast Tissue Grow Back After Breast Reduction?

Regrowth of Breast Tissue 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.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Need for repeat breast reduction does exist

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.

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast growth after reduction surgery

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

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast growth after reduction

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.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction result is permanent.

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.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tissue Regrowth After Breast Reduction

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.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Second breast reduction - common?

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.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It is possible to need a second breast reduction.

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

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Repeat Breast Reduction questions

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

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rarely, breast tissue can grow back after reduction

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.