Breast Reduction Best Before or After a Pregnancy?

I want a breast reduction, but my biggest concern is I'm only 25 & will have a child within the next few years. Will getting a reduction & then getting pregnant ruin the surgery? Is it best to wait? Also, does having the surgery post-pregnancy hurt your chances of having health insurance cover it?

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by 8167anon in FL

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Breast Reduction Timing

There is no right answer to this question - it is nice to have everything be stable and without a planned change in the future. However, if the size of your breasts really bothers you now, then pregnancy may make it even worse. Either way works, and usually getting pregnant after having the surgery does not ruin the results. Also, it does not matter pre- or post- children with regarsds to insurance. I hope this helps.

Breast Reduction Before or After Pregnancy?

Thank you for the question. I tried to individualize every patient's care based on their specific circumstances. Generally however ( everything else being equal) it is best to wait until after pregnancy to have any type of breast surgery. Best wishes.

Breast Reduction and Pregnancy

Breast Reductions can be performed at any age following full breast development and in fact, patients have them performed as early as 15 and well into their 70's. It is important to remember that following breast reduction surgery, the smaller breasts are STILL breasts and will respond to pregnancy, weight gain and loss, and aging. I tell my patients that with the surgery we have changed the start point for all of these changes. Certainly if a patient knows they are going to get pregnant... more

Breast reduction before or after pregnancy

IF you were my relative, I would advise you to have your children first if that is a definitive plan in the next few years, unless you were absolutely miserable.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and insurance and costs

I would suggest waiting after your pregancy for your breasts will change and probably get smaller after. You would then, maybe, need more of an uplift rather than reduction and then the insurance may not cover the procedure. Watch my videos!

Timing of breast reduction relative to future pregnancy

Unless the size of your breasts are limiting your normal daily activities, I would recommend breast reduction after pregnancy. I have seen several breast reduction patients who developed large, heavy breasts after pregnancy.

Breast reduction timing

It is a persoanl choice for you. Obviously if you are going to become pregnant soon, I would probably wait. But both young and old patients undergo breast reduction at different stages of their life for varying reasons.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Timing of Breast Reduction Surgery

While it would be ideal for there to be no anticipated changes in your body or breast size, as occurs during pregnancy, for many women the size and weight of the breasts are very difficult to deal with and a breast reduction can dramatically change your quality of life. In these cases, it is perfectly reasonable to have the reduction. If however, you plan on starting your family soon, and you can put up with your symptoms from the extra weight of your breasts, I would... more

Timing of breast reduction

The timing of breast reduction in your situation probably rests on the reason that you are seeking a reduction. If you are having significant symtoms (back/neck pain, for example), you may want to go ahead and have your surgery performed now. If, on the other hand, you are more concerned with aestetics, a pregnancy might undo some of the benefits of your reduction and you may wish to wait until your child bearing is completed.

Timing of Breast Reduction and Pregnancy

As a general principle it is always best to have Plastic Surgery when everything IS stable and is anticipated to REMAIN stable. If you are planning on becoming pregnant soon you really should wait until you complete your family to have ANY Breast or Body Cosmetic Surgery including Breast Reduction. The results would be a lot better if the operation was done once when everything is stable. BUT - if you are REALLY bothered by neck and shoulder pains then you need to weigh more relief now... more

Breast reduction before or after pregnancy

If you are contemplating getting pregnant soon, you might wait on the reduction because it might need to be revised later. On the other hand, if they REALLY bother you terribly now, there is no reason not to do the surgery now and see what happens. Most reductions don't need further surgery after pregnancy so your's might not either. Another time each day a plastic surgeron wishes they had a crystal ball.